Alzheimer’s
What Is It?
Alzheimer’s disease, first described by the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer, is a physical disease affecting the brain. During the course of the disease, ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’ develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer’s also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brains. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms become more severe.
Dementia, a factor of Alzheimer’s disease, affects 850,000 people in the UK, mainly those over 65. However, it is not restricted to age and there are over 42,000 known people under 65 suffering from dementia. www.alzheimers.org.uk
Cause and Effect
People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may experience lapses of memory and have difficulty finding the right words for things. As the disease progresses, they may become confused, frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments, recent events and experience mood swings. They may feel sad or angry. They may feel scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss, become more withdrawn as a result of loss of confidence or communication problems.
Scientists are currently investigating the genetic background to Alzheimer’s. There are some cases where there is a very clear inheritance from one generation to the next, although in most cases this is not fact. However, carriers of the ApoE4 gene variant have a much higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
After hearing of a study being carried out on an oral ketogenic compound, which was found to rapidly elevate serum ketone bodies in Alzheimer patients (most noticeable in those carrying the ApoE4 gene), Dr Mary Newport tried to put her husband (who was suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s) forward to be part of the trial. After being refused, she decided to see if she could help him using coconut oil. She found that just two tablespoons of coconut oil can produce enough ketones to have a significant effect on brain function; feeding him this three times a day helped improve his condition drastically. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24150106
Research has shown that people who smoke and those who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, may increase their risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Researchers from San Francisco’s VA Medical Centre have analysed studies from around the world and have concluded that 50 per cent of Alzheimer’s cases could have been prevented by lifestyle changes.
Juice Pharmacy Recommendations
What to Avoid
Cut back on alcohol, smoking, sugar, processed foods, dairy products and red meats. You should also minimise your exposure to chemicals, heavy metals and air pollution. It is also important to reduce your stress levels by being involved in a hobby or staying socially involved.
Caffeine - Reduce your intake of tea, coffee, chocolate and carbonated sugary drinks (whether they contain caffeine or not).
Fats - As we know, some are ‘good fats’ which should be included in our diet, but avoid saturated and trans-fats.
What to Include
There have been a number of studies showing evidence that drinking freshly extracted juice may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, although at this time, there is no known cure. An American-based study found that older people who drank juice three times a week had a 76 per cent lower chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study followed nearly 2,000 Japanese-American senior citizens (average age 72) from the Seattle and Washington areas for ten years. Each participant was free of memory problems or signs of Alzheimer’s at the start of the study. After taking into consideration the other factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (such as smoking, years of schooling and exercise habits), the investigators found that people who drank fruit and vegetable juices more than three times a week had a 76 per cent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, compared to those who rarely drank juice. Researchers said: ‘It was probably due to disease fighting substances called polyphenols that are normally found in fruits and vegetables as a possible source of protection.’
B vitamins - It has been suggested that the B vitamins are particularly helpful to patients with Alzheimer’s. Blueberries, wheatgrass, watermelon, avocados, apples, mangos, kiwi, orange, cherries, peas, cabbage, peppers, banana, berries, pineapple and pomegranate are all rich in B vitamins. Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables are high in folate and B9, which may help to improve cognition and reduce depression.
Blueberries - Research conducted at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre on ageing at Tufts University confirmed that blueberries have a functional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on brain and muscle tissue. Cherries and other berries contain anthocyanin that protects the brain from further damage caused by free radicals.
Enzyme rich fruit and vegetables - Eating or juicing a variety of fresh, enzyme rich, raw fruits and vegetables every day gives us an adequate supply of all the nutrients required to maintain a fully functioning body, including the brain.
Himalayan crystal salt - Himalayan crystal salt is a premium salt that helps regulate your body’s blood sugar, water and PH levels and promote respiratory and vascular health Do not confuse and use highly processed table salt as a substitute!
Omega-3 - Increased intake of omega-3, which is found in high quality cold-pressed fresh flaxseed oil, almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts and pecans (all contain omega-3s and omega-6s) can be beneficial. Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland have shown that Alzheimer’s-related brain shrinkage lessened by taking a higher amount of omega-3 and vitamins B, C, D and E than those taking lower doses.
Water - Aim to reach ten glasses per day to stay well hydrated.
Zinc - Recent research carried out by a number of universities and reported in the Journal of The Complimentary Medicine Association has found that memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s is due to zinc imbalance. Published in 2012, the study found that zinc was vital in helping brain functions in enabling effective communication between neurons.
The Juice Recipes
Shot: Wheatgrass Shot
Put 1tsp in 30ml-50ml of water or freshly extracted apple or orange juice, stir well and down as a shot. You can also add a tsp of wheatgrass powder to your favourite green juice or smoothie to add a nutritional boost!
Juice: Total Recall - taken from The Funky Fresh Juice Book
2 Apples
1 Large Handful of Purple or Red Grapes
1 large handful of blueberries
Ice
Pack the grapes and blueberries tightly between the two apples and juice. Pour over ice and sip slowly like a fine wine.
Blend: Memory Aid
2 Apples
1 Handful of Fresh Raspberries/Strawberries
100g Live Yoghurt
Drops of Ginkgo Biloba
Juice the apples and blend with all the other ingredients.
Disclaimer
Please note, it is impossible to give a definitive list as what supports one person can be a trigger food or allergen for another. You must stay your own juice detective at all times and listen to how your own body responds to certain foods and always consult with your healthcare provider when making changes to your diet which may affect your medication. Please be aware that we are not doctors, so it is important to consult with your GP or medical practitioner BEFORE making any changes to your diet. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, or a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, are provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.