Alzheimer’s is a word that no one wants to hear in a diagnosis. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition that is progressive, causing the loss of many functions in elderly people, including memory. Often, it is the short-term memory that is affected, and often, patients will relive memories of their distant pasts.
Millions of Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s, and in addition to affecting the memory, this devastating condition also affects the physical and emotional functions as well. Many Alzheimer’s patients inherited their condition through a faulty gene, but there are a number of theories as to how and why Alzheimer’s starts in many patients.
Progressively, Alzheimer’s patients will experience memory loss, the inability to communicate and even the inability to perform simple daily tasks that were once commonplace for the patient. In most cases, patients with Alzheimer’s are over the age of 65, but there have been a number of reported cases of patients being much younger. Unfortunately, there is no test for Alzheimer’s disease, but a CAT scan or MRI can diagnose Alzheimer’s, or at least rule out other causes of dementia. Following stroke, heart disease, and cancer, Alzheimer’s is the fourth leading cause of death in the elderly.
Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
There are many theories about the Alzheimer’s disease, one being that it is caused by a faulty enzyme related to neuron activity in the brain. The pattern of decline is the same in all Alzheimer’s patients, but the rate and level of impairment varies from patient to patient.
Noticeable symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can include an abnormal loss of memory as well as confusion. Many patients will begin to forget things, such as the names of loved ones, dates, places, etc. They may begin to forget simple things, like the names of many items that they use every day. Often, Alzheimer’s patients become nasty when they were once loving and kind and have been known to become violent as well.
Many Alzheimer’s patients, when they become confused, look for a means to escape their confusion. Therefore, these patients must be watched at all times. All too often, Alzheimer’s patients have been picked up by police officers as they are wandering around the streets, confused and scared. In time, it will be necessary for most Alzheimer’s patients to move to a facility where they can receive around-the-clock care and attention.
Life Expectancy of Alzheimer’s Patients
Unfortunately, physicians are unable to correctly predict the life expectancy of Alzheimer’s patients because the disease, as mentioned above, has the same level of decline but every patient has different symptoms and their conditions degenerate at different rates. Early on in the disease, patients will start experiencing confusion and memory loss, which will increase over time.
The second stage of Alzheimer’s may not be reached by the patient for a number of years, and once the disease is into the third stage, decline is rapid. This is when the patient is no longer able to care for themselves, including eating and even getting dressed. Other illnesses can develop at this time as well as an increased rate of bone breakage, particularly in the hips. At this stage of the disease, the patient is usually bed-ridden and may even need to be tube-fed.
The Free Radical Damage Theory
Some researchers theorize that Alzheimer’s may be the result of damage caused by free radicals concentrated in the brain. These are found naturally in our bodies, and can cause damage by stealing electrons from healthy cells to use themselves. Free radicals can be found throughout the body, and there are a number of environmental factors that are known to increase the presence of free radicals in the body, including pollution, alcohol, smoking, and exposure to second-hand smoke.
Nutrition’s Role in Alzheimer’s Treatment
Factors that contribute to free radical damage include too much sun exposure and having a poor diet. In order to prevent, or treat, Alzheimer’s disease, everyone needs to follow a healthy diet plan that is rich in the proper vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Vitamin E is important, but because it can be dangerous when taken in high doses, it should only be taken on the advice of a physician. Vitamin E can also have adverse effects on other medications. Thiamin is also beneficial and may help in memory improvement. Again, this should only be used under a physician’s care, because large doses can cause cases of mild nausea. Another important nutrient that is necessary for all diets, especially for Alzheimer’s patients, is protein.
Protein for Alzheimer’s Patients
Protein is a macronutrient that is necessary in order for survival. Of course, one of the problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of appetite and difficulty eating, and this can cause patients to not get the nutrients they so desperately need, including protein. But they need to digest the right proteins. There is a blood protein, ApoE, which transports cholesterol throughout the bloodstream, which, in Alzheimer’s patients, deposits extra amyloid plaque compounds in the brain. It may also cause these compounds to harden as well. People who test positive for the ApoE-4 gene are eight times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than people with the ApoE-2 or ApoE-3 genes.
Using Protein Supplements in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Patients
Because appetite and the ability to eat are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, many people need to find other ways to get the nutrients that they need without resorting to being tube-fed. As we get older, we need more and more protein in our systems in order for our bodies to function properly, and if Alzheimer’s patients are not getting the protein that they need from dietary sources, they may need to add protein supplements to their diets.
In addition to the many powdered and liquid protein supplements available on the market today, there is a terrific product from Protica called Profect. This protein supplement is great for Alzheimer’s patients because it is small (only 2.9 fluid ounces per serving), so there is not a lot for them to have to drink and digest. Also, Profect provides 25 grams of protein and only has 100 calories per serving. Profect contains 100% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, 10% of B vitamins and has no fat or carbohydrates. Liquid supplements such as Profect are ideal for Alzheimer’s patients who are having difficulty swallowing solid foods.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright