More than 6.5 million folks in America are living with Alzheimer's disease and many more are undiagnosed. But AD may be easier to ID with a newly designed blood test. In January, a study in JAMA Neurology announced the development of a test that's up to 96% accurate in identifying elevated levels of beta amyloid and up to 97% accurate in identifying tau, two substances associated with the development of AD. This is heralded as a way to catch the disease early (even pre-clinically) and take steps to ease its progression -- and one day, if the right medications are developed, to reverse it.
However, the Alzheimer's Association points out that up to 80% of folks with AD also have cardiovascular disease and "autopsy studies suggest that plaques [from Tau] and tangles [from beta amyloid] may be present in the brain without causing symptoms of cognitive decline, unless the brain also shows evidence of vascular disease."
Prevention of heart disease sounds like a smart approach to reducing your risk of AD. Heart-healthy lifestyle choices offer double benefits. So, avoid exposure to first-, second-, or third-hand smoke; keep blood pressure below 120/80; adopt a plant-based diet with proteins like salmon and skinless poultry; ditch red meats, processed foods and added sugars; get 150-300 minutes of physical activity, aerobic and strength-building, weekly, and check out Dr. Mike's blog at iHerb.com discussing 15 heart-and-brain-loving supplements he takes daily. For more techniques to protect your heart and cognition, visit iHerb.com's blog, "A Natural Approach to Cognitive Health."
