Our parents are getting older day by day, and one day they suddenly become children, unable to take care of themselves and unable to find their way home. In the days to come, they can only "rely on" us. take care of.
In this issue of Small and Beautiful, I want to talk to you about a disease that is easily ignored and that more and more people are suffering from today - Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is a very scary situation, that is: your closest relatives are in front of them, but they don't recognize you, so the understanding and prevention of Alzheimer's disease are very important.
Alzheimer's disease, also known as Alzheimer's disease (AD), is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with an insidious onset. Clinically, it is characterized by "global dementia manifestations" such as memory impairment, aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, impairment of visuospatial skills, executive dysfunction, and personality and behavioral changes. The cause is still unknown.
Alzheimer's disease is the "fourth largest killer" affecting the health of the elderly after cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and cancer.
The number of dementia patients in the world has reached "more than 24 million", with an average increase of one every "7" seconds, and Chinese Alzheimer's patients account for about "1/4" of the total number of cases in the world. An average of "300,000" new cases are added every year!
Moreover, Alzheimer's disease is getting more and more serious now. Dementia is no longer a "patent" for the elderly. We are very afraid and hope to stay away from Alzheimer's disease and retain the beautiful memories of the past. Although we cannot stop the passage of time, we can slow down the aging process with "high-quality nutrition."
Preventing problems before they happen is the best, and everyone should clearly understand these high-quality anti-aging nutrients:
Denham Harman, the founder of free radical and aging theory, believes : Throughout a person's life, the body's cells are subject to attack by various unstable chemicals. These substances are called "oxygen free radicals".
Free radicals will cause the dendrites of nerve cells to retract and the synaptic structure to disappear, greatly reducing the ability to communicate information!
The degree to which people ultimately suffer from free radical damage, as well as the extent of their mental decline, largely depends on how strong the “robustness of the personal defense system or anti-free radical defense system” is.
Foods such as fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins A, C, and E. The three form the "antioxidant iron triangle", which reduces the damage of free radicals to brain tissue and reduces the production of lipofuscin in the brain.
Experiments have proven that increasing the number of antioxidants in the body and enhancing their antioxidant properties can prevent and reverse memory loss in elderly animals, and can even "delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease in humans."
The "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents" recommends that adults consume 300-500 grams of vegetables and 200-350 grams of fruits daily.
Data from the Chinese Nutrition Society shows that my country’s current per capita daily intake of vegetables is 276 grams, and that of fruits is even less, only 45 grams. This number is far from meeting the normal needs of the human body. The elderly have reduced intake of fruits and vegetables due to reduced chewing ability.
The distribution of zinc in the brain is similar to the distribution of proteins. The content is highest in the cortex, which is rich in brain functions, and in the "hippocampus", which is responsible for memory. Zinc is an important component in "enzymes required for the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins." Protein synthesis is reduced during zinc deficiency.
Zinc deficiency can delay the myelination of brain tissue and reduce the overall response ability of neurotransmitters.
People over 65 years old will suffer from cognitive impairment if they are deficient in iron. Iron deficiency is most closely related to brain function.
The basal ganglia in brain tissue contain the most iron. This part is related to "receiving various sensory stimulations and regulating body motor functions."
In addition to synthesizing heme to supply oxygen to the brain, iron can also promote the formation of nerve myelin. Iron deficiency can affect the activity of various enzymes, affect neurotransmitter transmission, and lead to decreased cognitive ability and attention.
"Smart Fat DHA" is an important representative of the Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid family. It is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is very important for health. It is responsible for the proliferation of brain cells, the extension of nerve fibers, and the formation of synapses. Important nutrients are important components of the brain and retina, and the content in the human cerebral cortex is as high as 20%.
Lack of DHA will directly affect "brain memory and learning ability".
Phospholipids are known as "advanced neurotrophins for the brain". There are countless nerve cells connected in the brain, and nerve excitement depends on the transport of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine) between nerve cells.
With this transmitter in brain cells, feelings and memories can be formed. Phosphatidylcholine, an important functional group in phospholipids, is the raw material provider of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine). The rich phospholipids ensure a sufficient amount of neurotransmitters, enabling faster information transmission, stronger memory, and more abundant brainpower.
Protein is one of the main components of brain cells, accounting for 30-35% of brain weight, second only to fat.
Protein deficiency leads to the reduction of protoplasm and chromosomes in cortical cells, which can easily cause damage to the nervous system and affect the ability to engage in "complex intellectual activities."
Protein is the main material basis for the excitatory and inhibitory processes of brain cells. In some cases, protein metabolite amino acids can affect the synthesis of central neurotransmitters and have a potential impact on behavior: such as lysine deficiency , nervous system disorders and disorders can occur. "Soy protein" is rich in lysine, eggs, milk, and fish have high biological nutritional value and are easier to utilize.
The brain consumes more carbohydrates (glucose) than any organ. Even during a day of doing nothing, the brain still consumes up to 40% of the body's total intake of glucose. If there is "insufficient supply", you will feel tired, irritable, dizzy, distracted, forgetful, depressed and even aggressive.
Ingesting refined carbohydrates is not conducive to brain function. If you want your brain to maximize its potential, eat more whole grain foods, vegetables, beans, lentils, or fruits. "Long-term refined carbohydrates Chemical diets and low-carbohydrate diets" have a strong negative impact on thinking and cognition.
The following behaviors can also help you and your family prevent Alzheimer's disease:
■Limit alcohol, quit smoking, and engage in frequent outdoor activities. Enrich the content of life, maintain a happy spirit, cultivate a variety of interests and hobbies, and maintain extensive contact with society.
■Prevent and treat eye and ear diseases early to reduce lack of communication caused by vision or hearing problems.
■Prevent diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver damage, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and craniocerebral trauma, conduct regular physical examinations, and actively treat primary diseases.
■Balanced nutrition: It is necessary not only to control high fat and cholesterol, but also to ensure the intake of high-quality protein, minerals, multivitamins, and antioxidant nutrients.
■Create a warm family environment and care for the spiritual needs of the elderly.
Go home as often as possible, or if you are able, bring your family members to live with you in stages. Only with "someone to accompany you" can the above suggestions be implemented better.
The longest feeling of warmth is that I am standing here,
knowing that you are waiting for me to come back.
Above.
That’s it for today’s sharing. I hope you will wake up after reading this and take immediate action to protect the health of you and your family!