In India, more than 4 million people have some form of dementia. Worldwide, at least 44 million people are living with dementia, making the disease a global health crisis that must be addressed. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is life changing for the person with the disease, as well as their family and friends, but information and support are available. No one has to face Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia alone.

Since diet is one of the root causes, diet is also a foundational prevention and treatment strategy. This is an important point, considering there are no meaningful conventional treatments for this devastating disease.

Evidences suggest that the factors that put you at risk of heart disease also may increase the chance of Alzheimer’s. These are –

• Lack of exercise
• Obesity
• Smoking or exposure to second hand smoke
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
• A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables

These risk factors are also linked to vascular dementia, a type of dementia caused by damaged blood vessels in the brain. A large Mayo Clinic study has found that when it comes to what causes Alzheimer’s disease, researchers may have been barking up the wrong tree. Every 67 seconds someone is developing Alzheimer’s.

It’s clear that we can change the expression of DNA, by making certain choices in our lifestyle, like our dietary choices, exercise, making sure to get adequate sleep, reduced stress and good social relationships. All these epigenetic factors change the expression of the DNA, and can change our destiny even as it relates to Alzheimer’s risk.

Wellness management with nutritional intervention is the best way of prevention, treatment and advanced care of Alzheimer’s disease.