Alzheimer's has more to do with poor lifestyle habits than can be blamed on age or heredity. Age increases the risk of macular degeneration, stroke, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. However, age is too often used as an excuse to remove the responsibility to take health matters in hand to prevent those age related diseases. There are centenarians who show no symptoms of mental problems. Good genes simply can't be responsible for their exceptional health. Today's lifestyle habits have a lot to do with how we age and how vulnerable we become to the ravages of disease. The kind of food consumed today plays a large part in the development of mental disorders. Today's food is laced with chemicals the body and brain cannot handle. Those toxins accumulate in the body's fat stores and eventually begin to produce the diseases so common today. Studies have shown that the brain, like the pancreas, produces it's own insulin. When there's not enough insulin, the receptors in the brain begin to malfunction. Those suffering from Alzheimer's often have insulin abnormalities, much like that of diabetics. Some medical circles label this lack of insulin as Type 3 diabetes. Whatever the label, it's clear that abnormal blood sugar levels do lead to deterioration of the brain. Diabetics have a 65% increased risk of suffering from Alzheimer's. The food pyramid exhorts everyone to eat whole grains. Yet whole grains rate high on the glycemic index. A high glycemic rating creates a rapid rise in glucose levels in the bloodstream. The pancreas is forced to produce the insulin necessary to move the excess glucose into the body's cells where glucose can be stored and used for energy. Unfortunately, cereals, breads and pastas all lead to a higher rise in blood sugar than fruits and vegetables alone. According to the glycemic index, whole wheat bread scores a high 80, twice that of ice cream or even peaches. Consumption of high glycemic foods increase obesity and accelerate the aging process. Ultimately, this increases the risk of Alzheimer's and other mental disorders. Everyone is encouraged to eat a low fat, high carbohydrate diet for good health. Yet such a diet is more likely to add more weight. Fat is looked upon as evil with no distinction between healthy fats like olive oil and saturated fats like margarine that make up a great portion of many diets today. Cooking oils and the foods we eat contain a great deal of omega-6 oils and less of the more healthy omega-3 that made up a great portion of the diets of our ancestors. A healthy balance should mean twice as much of omega-3 to omega-6. Consuming fish oil is one of the healthiest ways to avoid mental deterioration. But few people eat any fish let alone supplement with fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for good brain health. Omega-3 is abundant in oily fish like sardines, salmon and mackerel. It can be found in grass fed beef, eggs, walnuts and flax seed. Children who supplement with fish oil have better memory retention and a better attention rates in school. Omega-3 increases the chemicals that stimulate the growth of nerve fibers in the brain. Maintaining good mental functioning requires less consumption of grains and more of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. A diet of these healthy foods is more likely to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's and ensure a happy and healthier life no matter what the age.
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