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Are Gluten and Blood Sugar Linked to Alzheimer’s?

Are Gluten and Blood Sugar Linked to Alzheimer’s?

by | Aug 4, 2016 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Uncategorized

If you are a caregiver trying to maintain a healthy diet and help your senior loved one do the same, you’ve probably noticed an increasing number of products popping up in grocery stores throughout the Great Lake state that bear the label “Gluten-free.”

While most of us think the gluten movement is primarily focused on helping people manage digestive illnesses, newer research might suggest there are other reasons to monitor your gluten intake. One is a link between wheat and other grains and the development of dementia.

Researchers believe the connection might be because gluten increases inflammation in the body. When gluten can’t be digested or processed, the body’s immune system begins to attack. This leads to increased inflammation. Chronic inflammation is widely considered to increase a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

What is Gluten?

So what exactly is gluten?

Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale. It is what helps our food maintain its shape, essentially acting as a bonding agent that holds it together. Estimates are that 10% of the population lives with gluten-sensitivity or intolerance. Some people aren’t even aware they have it. Many times it is misdiagnosed as IBS or a “nervous stomach.”

Researching the Connection between Gluten and Dementia

Dr. David Perlmutter, the author of Grain Brain, is a neurologist who advocates for gluten-free living. His research shows that people with lower blood sugar levels are at lower risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. Dr. Perlmutter believes gluten increases blood sugar.

In reinforcing his point, he cites studies going back more than a decade, including one published in Neurology in 2005. Perlmutter contends that the connection between blood sugar levels and the rate of brain atrophy and cognitive decline is the key.

Even slight elevations of blood sugar increase your risk for brain degeneration. Researchers like Perlmutter are especially interested in a process known as glycation. It occurs when glucose binds to protein in the body. The result is an increased production of inflammatory chemicals.

Dr. Perlmutter and his colleagues say you can cut your risk for dementia by eating a diet rich with inflammation-fighting foods and low in gluten and other carbohydrates.

What Other Researchers Say about Gluten

Then there are the scientists who say this issue is much more complex. Frank Sacks, Professor of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at the Harvard School of Public Health, believes obesity might be the underlying issue.

They cite the obesity epidemic in our country as the real cause of high blood sugar and the rise in type 2 Diabetes. These experts say eating a healthy diet and getting the right amount of exercise each week will help you lose weight while decreasing the level of inflammation in your body. The result may be a lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, including the latest news on how diet and lifestyle might impact your risk, we invite you to follow our blog. We share frequent updates on a variety of aging-related topics!

 

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Are Gluten and Blood Sugar Linked to Alzheimer’s?

Is Alzheimer’s Really Type 3 Diabetes?

by | Apr 28, 2016 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Uncategorized

Getting the news that you or a senior loved one has Alzheimer’s can be life-changing. A frustration for both seniors and their families is the lack of solid science about the cause of the disease. Recent studies linking diabetes and Alzheimer’s, however, seem to be gaining ground.

Nearly 26% of adults age 65 and older have diabetes. One out of eight older adults lives with Alzheimer’s disease. What researchers are trying to determine is if there is a link between the two.

Is There a Link between Diabetes and Dementia?

Since 2005, the link between dementia and insulin-resistance has grown stronger. It’s even led some researchers to begin referring to Alzheimer’s by a new name: Type 3 diabetes.

These studies seem to indicate seniors with diabetes are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

While researchers don’t yet understand the cause-and-effect between diabetes and dementia, they do know that high blood sugar can have a negative impact on brain health.

Type 2 diabetes results when the body doesn’t make the right amount of insulin or doesn’t process it properly. As blood sugar in the body rises, it puts more stress on blood vessels, including those in the brain. This causes arteries in the brain to harden and narrow.

If an adequate supply of blood doesn’t reach the brain, an older adult’s cognitive abilities may decline. They may develop problems with memory or have trouble completing daily tasks independently.

Excess glucose (sugar) also limits the brain’s ability to break down fatty membranes. When these clump together, they form plaques and tangles that are believed to contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

How to Lower an Older Adult’s Risk for Diabetes

While there is no definitive way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, researchers believe lifestyle is the key.

According to the American Diabetes Association, you can lower your risk for diabetes by:

  • Using the plate-method to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
  • Get 150 combined minutes of exercise each week. Most physicians recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week.
  • Work with your family physician to monitor and manage cholesterol and blood pressure.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Limit alcoholic beverages to just a few times a week or less.

Successfully controlling blood sugar may help seniors prevent or delay the onset of dementia allowing them to live healthier, more active lives.

 

Photo Courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Are Gluten and Blood Sugar Linked to Alzheimer’s?

5 Tricks Seniors Use to Hide Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

by | Apr 6, 2016 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Uncategorized

Even in the earliest stages, Alzheimer’s can make it tough for an adult to maintain their normal routine. Seniors and their spouses often fear they will be forced to move or to be separated if adult children discover one of them has this common form of dementia. In some cases, older adults go to great lengths to hide what they fear are the early signs of Alzheimer’s.

Tricks Seniors Use to Try to Hide the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Here are a few behaviors that might indicate the older loved one in your life is trying to hide troubling symptoms from you:

  • Discouraging Visitors: When a senior family member who has always loved spending time with their children and grandchildren begins finding reasons to avoid you, it can be a warning sign. They might tell you they know you are “busy with your job” or that they will be “taking a long vacation.” The real reason just might be they are afraid you will notice the changes and realize something is wrong.
  • Hiding Mistakes: An older adult who knows there is a problem but isn’t quite sure what it is may hide their mistakes. From falling victim to a door-to-door scam to mismanaging the checkbook or getting lost when driving, they work hard to keep you from finding out there is a problem.
  • Excuses: When an aging loved one seems to be making a lot of excuses for their forgetfulness or for unusual behaviors, it can be a sign of something more serious than the fatigue they blame it on.
  • Changes in Activity: If your mother always loved cooking but has recently given her favorite cookbooks away or if your father dropped out of his longstanding poker night, it might be related to problems with memory. Pastimes that require adults to follow directions or problem solve become more challenging as Alzheimer’s progresses.
  • Speaking for a Spouse: While some partners are known for finishing one another’s sentences, a change in this dynamic can be another red flag. A spouse may be trying to cover for their partner’s memory loss. They may feel it is necessary to do so to protect their partner and their marriage.

The good news is that there are other illnesses that mimic Alzheimer’s disease and many of them are treatable with early intervention. Seeking the help of your primary care doctor might reveal the diagnosis really isn’t Alzheimer’s at all.

Conditions that Mimic Alzheimer’s Disease

A few conditions that can look like Alzheimer’s disease include:

  • Thyroid disorder
  • Vitamin B-12 deficiency
  • Dehydration
  • Medication interaction or side effect
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)

You can learn more about the signs of Alzheimer’s by visiting 8 Behaviors to Monitor if You Suspect a Michigan Senior has Alzheimer’s.

 

Are Gluten and Blood Sugar Linked to Alzheimer’s?

Can Meditation Help Protect Brain Health?

by | Feb 25, 2016 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Uncategorized

Mediation is the practice of quietly focusing thoughts on the present moment or on a simple word or phrase. It is most commonly associated with religious practices, but it is often recommended to improve health and well-being. In fact, the Latin root of the word “To meditate” means “to remedy.”

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that meditation has been shown to effectively combat insomnia,  reduce high blood pressure, relieve symptoms of  irritable bowel syndrome and shorten the duration of the flu.

Meditation and Alzheimer’s

Several NIH-funded clinical studies also show that regular meditation could promote slow, stall and possibly reverse aging in the brain. And a recent study indicated that meditating at least two hours a week may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Researchers from UCLA and the Australian National University collaborated on a 2014 study which found that people who meditated regularly for years showed significant reduction in the amount of age-related brain atrophy than those who did not meditate.

In 2013, researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School studied people with dementia and found that  those who did yoga and meditation for just two hours a week showed less brain atrophy and stronger cognitive activity than those who did not meditate.

And in at least one study, meditation has been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, such as sleep disturbances, moodiness and chronic stress. Researchers note that these Alzheimer’s-related issues often result in the accelerated progression of the disease. Mediation therapy improved sleep and reduced stress, leading researchers to conclude that it could possibly slow cognitive decline.

Why meditation works

The research on meditation and its effect on brain health showed a reduction in unhealthy proteins and inflammation. Both are known to contribute to heart disease, stroke, and other chronic disease.

How to meditate to prevent dementia

The Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation recommends a 12-minute  Kirtan Kriya exercise.   The Kirtan Kriya involves deep concentration while singing and coordinating finger movements.

According to Prevention Magazine, brain-boosting benefits can come from other forms of meditation, too. Activities like walking, yoga and Tai Chi allow the mind to shut out distractions and concentrate on relaxation.

Taking a yoga class or enrolling in a meditation session is another way to learn mindful meditation. The University of Michigan offers a 16-week Mind n’ Motion class for seniors that combines balance exercises with meditation techniques.  

Meditation can help Alzheimer’s caregivers

Caregivers of senior loved ones with Alzheimer’s and dementia deal with a great amount of stress. Meditation can help them reduce stress, fight depression and maintain good health.

A 2012 study at UCLA  found that the Kirtan Kriya method of mindful meditation significantly reduced the amount of inflammation and increased immune cell production in family caregivers.

For more information about meditation and the brain, visit the AARP Brain Health and Wellness website.

Are Gluten and Blood Sugar Linked to Alzheimer’s?

Talking with Kids about Alzheimer’s Disease

by | Feb 4, 2016 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Uncategorized

We know firsthand how tough it is to talk with kids about a grandparent’s Alzheimer’s. People of all ages have difficulty understanding this debilitating disease.

Making time to explain what is happening to children is important. A grandparent or other senior family member may seem fine then suddenly become confused and a little paranoid. The unpredictability of the disease can be frightening for children.

What are some tips Michigan family caregivers can use to explain Alzheimer’s disease to children?

Talking with Children about a Michigan Senior’s Alzheimer’s Disease

Here are a few suggestions that may help the conversation go more smoothly.

1. Sit Down together as a family: Find a time for everyone in the family to sit down together when you won’t be interrupted. Explain the disease in its simplest terms. Be sure to educate your children on behaviors their grandparent is currently exhibiting. Don’t make the mistake of getting too far ahead in the disease process yet. You can tackle more advanced signs of the disease once the kids have an opportunity to digest the basics of Alzheimer’s disease.

One reminder is to make it clear to your children that Alzheimer’s is a disease and the disease is responsible for the changes in their grandparent (or senior loved one). Also be sure the kids understand that Alzheimer’s isn’t contagious like the flu or a cold. The idea that a parent or sibling might “catch it” might be frightening to them.

2. Talk about Communication: Another factor to talk about with your kids is how to communicate. For example, explain to them that they should approach their grandparent from the front. This is because Alzheimer’s often causes damage to a person’s peripheral vision. If an older adult living with Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t see you coming, they may be startled and strike out in fear. Also share with your kids how important it is to use a calm voice and to avoid making loud noises around the family member who has Alzheimer’s.

3. Video Series: A video library created by the Alzheimer’s Association, Kids Look at Alzheimer’s Disease, can be a great resource. This video project features children and teenagers talking about how a loved one’s Alzheimer’s disease has impacted their own life. One series was created for video series is for teens and the other for younger children.

4. Encourage Honesty: During your conversation with your children, encourage them to be open and honest about their feelings. For example, their feelings may be hurt because their grandfather was short-tempered with them or they are embarrassed by an unusual behavior of their grandmother’s. They might even being feeling frightened. Remind your kids not to feel guilty and encourage them to share whatever it is they are feeling with you so you can talk through it together.

5. Fun Times Remain: Finally, help your child understand that there are still activities and projects they can do with a grandparent despite the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Create a list of activities the two generations can safely enjoy together to share when you talk with your family. 101 Activities from the Alzheimer’s Association is a great resource to use when you are creating your list.

Memory Care in Michigan

When the time comes and you need to find a Memory Care program in Michigan, please remember Heritage Senior Communities. The Terrace is our personalized dementia care program. Call the senior living community nearest to you, to arrange a personal tour.

 

Photo Courtesy of FreeDigitalService.com

 

Are Gluten and Blood Sugar Linked to Alzheimer’s?

Halloween Safety Tips When a Senior Has Alzheimer’s Disease

by | Oct 20, 2015 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Uncategorized

Halloween can present unique challenges for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Ghosts and goblins, jack-o’-lanterns and skeletons are fun for most of us, but the sights and sounds of this spooky season can agitate and confuse seniors with dementia. Loved ones with moderate and late-stage dementia will need to be sheltered from items and activities that might alarm them.

Halloween Safety and Dementia

Here are some tips to help you keep your senior in Michigan safe and anxiety free this Halloween:

  • Be realistic about much Halloween your senior with dementia can handle. Seniors with early Alzheimer’s disease can enjoy celebrations, but will likely need help with tasks like carving a pumpkin, making popcorn balls and packing treat bags.
  • Never leave a senior with Alzheimer’s alone during trick-or-treating hours. This may mean you or another loved one keeps them company or hands out candy with them at their door.
  • Limit the number of decorations. A house full of fake cobwebs and skulls may put you and your children in the holiday mood, but these types of décor can cause agitation and confusion for your senior with Alzheimer’s. If you do decide to decorate, avoid the fear factor. Items that move, talk or scream can frighten and cause a senior to wander.
  • Protect your senior loved one in public. While shopping and attending community events, avoid animated decorations, especially ones that jump, scream and scare unsuspecting people. Also steer away from costumed characters and people in masks.
  • Keep rooms well-lit during trick-or-treating hours. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, low light and shadows can trigger “sundowning” behaviors. Keep in mind that flashlights, flashing lights and flickering candlelight can also cause anxiety in seniors with dementia.

Tips for Soothing Alzheimer’s Agitation

If Halloween does agitate your loved one, use these strategies from the National Institute on Aging to calm them:

  • Change the environment. Guide your senior away from whatever environment is making them upset.
  • Comfort and reassure. Sit with your Alzheimer’s loved one. Talk softly and calmly and assure them that they are safe with you.
  • Create positive distractions. Play soothing music, read out loud or offer a snack.

To read more about celebrating holidays with your Alzheimer’s loved one in Michigan, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Holidays and Alzheimer’s Families webpage.

For more information about specialized dementia care, contact one of the Heritage Senior Communities near you.