What if you could avoid Alzheimers by cutting out dessert? The Daily Beast

by Barbara Torris

I had planned on writing about my beautiful grandchildren today...a trip to the park, playing on  the structures and walking through the woods. Then I saw an article in The Daily Beast about the connection between our diet and the way our mind deteriorates. Writer David Permutter, MD titled his article Why We Can and Must Focus on Preventing Alzheimer's.

Holy Moly Miss Molly! When it comes to taking care of our minds, we need to sit up a pay attention and sit up and pay attention I did. This man is talking a preventing Alzheimer's for goodnes sakes! I could only think if Alzheimer's could be prevented the whole face of aging would change. Here are some of the study outcomes they used a reference points

• It turns out that even if you do NOT have diabetes, eating a diet laced with sugar is not a good idea. An increase in blood sugar may damage our minds and  lead to dementia.
• A study done in England between 1979-2010 put increases in deaths related to brain brain issues in the United States at 66% for men and 92% for women.
• Gluten intolerance may be more of a neurological  disease than it is a digestive problem.
• "Mayo Clinic researchers...that risk for mild cognitive impairment, the harbinger for Alzheimer’s disease, or full -blown dementia is an astounding 42% lower in elderly folks who consume a diet higher in fat and lower in carbohydrates, as reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease." The Daily Beast

Did you get that? The people that write about Alzheimer's Disease is telling us that more fat and less carbohydrates could be a good thing. WOW!

I am going to be 72 years old soon and believe me the conversation turns to lost keys and forgotten appointments every time I am with my peers. I wonder sometimes if I am going to be an Alzheimer's patient is the conclusion my age group comes to when they forget or get a little lost. If this horrible disease could be prevented wouldn't we all jump on the band wagon? I would hope so.

Read this article written by David Perlmutter, author of the new book Grain Brain, not only for  information on what we can do to prevent dementia but also for the conclusion the author came to for why we are not being educated to prevent the disease and the only thing we ever hear about is a new medications. It is very interesting.

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Tom's Sighting pointed out this article: Sugar Makes You Stoopid (Sightings Over Sixty)

1 in 3 seniors are at RISK! Accidents at Home

I fell a couple of weeks ago.  I was out walking and stumbled over a sidewalk pushed up by a tree roots. It was a reminder of what could happen if I were to fall in just the right way even in my home. I am one of the 33% people over 65 that fall every year.  If I were 80, that would increase to 50%. Take a minute and see if you are doing what you should. It is important because -

• The cost of fall-related injuries is projected to reach nearly $55 billion by 2020—CDC’s National Center for Injury and Prevention Control.
• The majority of falls take place in the home.

This infographic shows you all the ways you can protect yourself from falling in your home. See if you are taking care of your health by preventing accidents. Then take a look around both inside your home and outside. These are the points they listed:

1. Be mindful of medications that may you dizzy. 
2. Use a non-slip mat in the bathtub.
3. Turn on the lights! Living in the dark is not only bad for your mental health it can also be a safety hazard.
4. Clean up spills immediately.
5. Be sure electrical cords and clutter don't trip you up.
6. Get rid of the throw rugs.  I know they are nice but they are still very dangerous.
7. Stay fit.
8. Wear good shoes
9. If you live in a place that is icy in the winter consider getting shoes that will help prevent slipping.

Infrographic in better detail here.

Now my friends please don't dig in and be stubborn. This is not all about you. My grandfather fell on my aunts front step and broke his hip. A fellow bloggers suffered the tragic death of her husband in a fall outdoors in the winter. The point is you also need to protect your friends and family. 

When it comes to strangers or guests in your home, you need to remember that you may be held accountable for an accident on your property. I was not broken when I fell in front of a neighbors house but if I had been, my insurance company probably would have gone after the homeowner or their insurance company.  The liability was certainly there.  

Keep in mind that preventing falls is a lot cheaper than paying for them! 

NOW, get up out of your computer chair and go out for a walk! Why?  Because I told you to. Just watch where you are walking...don't fall!   :)

Just a thought!

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Note:  I received this information from Amedisys and was not paid to write this...I think it is important.