Simple Health Cures

   Type 2 diabetes Alzheimer’s caught my attention when I was reading about nasal insulin spray. It was on the market for a short wile, but diabetics did not warm up to it, so it was taken off the market again.

But researchers at the National Veteran’s Administration Hospital had been looking at Alzheimer’s dementia patients and the low levels of insulin found un their brains. The researchers decided to try giving those patients doses of nasal insulin spray, hoping it wold reach their brains without causing high insulin levels in the blood.

The result were very encouraging. Memory and thinking skills were improved for a while in many of the Alzheimer’s patients, most in those who had mild levels of dementia. Of course, lots more studies will have to be done before nasal insulin spray is prescribed for Alzheimer’s dementia.

Looking For The Connection:

Statistics show that having type 2 diabetes double your risk for Alzheimer’s dementia. That is not the same as vascular dementia, which is often the result of hardening and narrowing of arteries, strokes and heart disease.

The steps from diabetes to vascular dementia are easy to follow since diabetes damages blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease, strokes and vascular disease as we age. But what about Alzheimer’s dementia?

When older diabetics with mental ability decline were tested, they had brain changes that look like both Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. The cause seems to be the long- term effects on brain cells of their inability to use sugar and respond to insulin.

Increased mild cognitive impairment ( called MCI) seems to be the stage between normal aging and Alzheimer’s dementia. There is a lot of interest in the pathways to Alzheimer because of the statistics.

If there a connection between Alzheimer’s and diabetes we need to know it. On Dr. Oz’s website there is an article titled “ Alzheimer- brain form of diabetes?” The writer explains that in Alzheimer’s the brain’s ability to use sugar is reduced. it is insulin that helps the brain take up sugar. Since insulin is not as effective with Alzheimer’s, brain cells begin to starve.

In type 2 diabetic Alzheimer’s the pancreas is pumping out insulin, more than is being used because of insulin resistance. There are high levels of sugar and of insulin in your blood. The damage they cause leads to poor circulation from blood vessel hardening and weakening.

In patients with early Alzheimer’s the brain demonstrates resistance to insulin, and it starts with the sections that control memory and personality. Insulin resistance gets serious in the brain because insulin helps make neurotransmitters that are needed for neurons to talk to each other.

And your brain actually makes its own insulin, the same kind that is made in your pancreas. When that insulin isn’t being used it causes inflammatory response in your brain’s blood vessels.

Another problem for Alzheimer’s patients is the presence of brain plaques. They are formed by a protein called beta amyloid. Type 2 diabetes interferes with the breakdown of this protein, and it builds up, becoming one of the telltale signs of Alzheimer’s dementia.

What Is Going On With Mortality Rates?

Heart disease and cancer statistics are down, but Alzheimer’s, diabetes and Parkinson’s have gone up. Until 198 diabetes as a cause of death was including, but since then it has gone up steadily.

That’s in spite of improvements in medical treatment and understanding of this disease. That kind of rise in death rates does not seem to point to a genetic cause but to an environmental one.

Right now one in ten people over 20 years old has diabetes. One in four people over 65 know that have it. And the World Health Organization thinks that there is a huge who have type 2 diabetes and don’t know it.

Alzheimer’s dementia is ranked the sixth leading cause of death. One in eight people over 65 has it, and half the people over 85 do. And there seem to be strong parallels between the mortality rates of both Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes, and increased exposure to nitrates, nitrites and nitrosamines. But the correction has not become an accepted fact.

Type 2 Diabetes Alzheimer’s Fighting Back:

What else can you do? You can manage your type 2 diabetes, keeping your blood sugar well controlled. Take the medications you’ve been given for cholesterol and blood pressure too. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day and eat healthy foods:

- Walnuts slow the aging of the brain with an antioxidants called luteolin, It may reduce memory deficits and inflammation of the brain too. You can also find luteolin in olive oil, peppers and celery.

- Berries, blueberries juice has improved memory and depression in trails. It can slow aging and increase signal ability in your brain.

- Fish rich in omega-3 such as wild salmon slows cognitive decline. It also has B12 which may actually protect you against Alzheimer’s.

- Coffee and tea may prevent Alzheimer’s and improve your brain’s function.

- Spinach and other green leafy vegetables have Vitamin C and E which have been shown to increase and protect brain function.

If you exercise your mind it keeps those brain cells agile. There is proof that brain games help people stay sharper as they age. And physical exercise is always a great idea.

And if have begun problems with cognitive decline, all those things will help you too. It becomes more important to manage your sleep, because it is too easy to get your sleep cycle messed up in early Alzheimer’s. And if you have pain, restless leg syndrome, or depression get some help for those too.

Type 2 diabetes Alzheimer’s dementia may have many causes, and nothing explains all the complications of Alzheimer’s or of type 2 diabetes for that matter. We may watch with interest and even hope as researchers dig into the mysteries of our body’s systems, but we must live today. We can find joy in our creative outlets and our friends and family. It’s still the secret of living with type 2 diabetes,

    The evidence is now conclusive. The fat, cholesterol, triglycerides, and carcinogenic protein from all the meat and dairy products we consume clog us up, restricts our blood flow, decreases the oxygen to our cells, weakens our immune system, makes us sluggish, causes high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and causes heart disease. It also causes every kind of cancer that exists, and diabetes. These diseases are becoming epidemic. If you follow the SAD ( standard American Diet) promoted by all the fast food corporations and the meat and dairy industries that support you will get these diseases.

You can avoid these diseases forever, and receive any you may currently have ( that always stay hidden until they are fully entrenched in our bodies), by reducing the meat and dairy you eat to 5% or less of your food intake ( the less the better). Fruits, vegetables and grains taste heavenly when your tongue isn’t filtering them through layers of fats, grease, salt, and sugar. And an occasional steak or rack of ribs won’t push you over the line.

Before you started reading this article, you were probably pleasantly ignorant that meat and dairy caused degenerative diseases. On one hand, that was a good thing. You could continue soon your merry way eating all the meat and dairy products you desired without any quilt. On the other hand, it wasn’t cool, because the meat and dairy products you have been eating will slowly kill you. How many of your family have already been claimed by these disease?

And you don’t know before reading this article that these very diseases can be reversed and even prevented by changing the way we eat. These diseases begin and grow slowly, so you could have heart disease right now, or cancer growing in you, that you may not know about until it physically appears. Are you excited about heart bypass surgery or another fun treatment the doctors love, chemotherapy? You can avoid all that, simply by making a few changes, and reducing your meat and dairy to less than 5% of what you consume.

So, it’s bad news, good news. Before there was no cure and we were helpless victims. Now, we can take control of our health, it’s in our hands by changing what we eat, and we can escape the scourge of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and over 100 other degenerative disease most of which you probably haven’t known existed. The bad news is over now it’s only good news!

   What are Super Foods? Science and research have anointed them as anti-stress, life expanding and disease preventig foods. They are legumes, fruits and vegetables that have been around forever. The super foods listed below can be quite beneficial to a diabetic.

Almonds and Walnuts- Almonds and walnuts are rich in monosaturated good fat that contains many micro nutrients, vitamin E and fiber. They are known to lower the risk of heart disease. In addition walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids which are known for their health benefits.

Blueberries and strawberries- Besides being delicious, they are loaded with properties such as low in calories, rich in iron, fiber and vitamin C and high in antioxidants.

Beans- They are rich in protein, fiber slow metabolizing complex carbohydrates and folic acid.

Dark greens- They are delicious, satisfying and rich in nutrients. If looking for calcium, folate, vitamin C, potassium, carotenoids and fiber, your mantra should be GO GREEN. The choice is plenty , broccoli, spinach, kale etc to name a few.

Garlic- This spice lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of heart attacks and retards growth of harmful bacteria.

Yellow fruits- Apricots, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, carrots, peaches and butternut squash. They are loaded with carotenoids, the powerful heart protectors. In addition they contain fiber, vitamins A and C, beta-carotene and potassium.

Fish- Wild salmon and other fatty fish caught in wild contain the beneficial omaga-3 fatty acids that lower cardiac risks.

Olive Oil- This monosaturated fat is beneficial in lowering cholesterol and fighting heart disease.

Dark Chocolate- Contains flavonols and antioxidants that improve the flow of blood throughtout the body and reduce blood pressure.

Green tea- Low in caffeine, and if drunk on regular basis it is known to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

   If included in the daily diet these super foods can improve one’s life phenomenally and help fight diseases.

   Every aspect of a food, it’s color, shape, scent and texture, can make it sexy. In addition, certain foods contain substances that make us feel good by interacting with our hormones or stimulating our brain. Consider incorporating some of the following into your next candlelight dinner to help you and your partner get in the mood.

   Oysters are a good source of minerals like selenium and zinc, and are also high in protein. A perfect appetizer to a beautiful meal but be careful when purchasing, as some can have high levels of pollutants and PCB. If you’re pregnant, oysters should be avoided.

   Chocolate has been a symbol of love and lust for centuries due to theobromine, a stimulant to the brain that creates a pleasurble effect. Chocolate also contains antioxidants that may lower cancer and heart disease risk. However, chocolate is also very high in fat, so self-restraint should be exercised. Dark chocolates are usually lower in sugar, but higher in antioxidants and theobromine than milk chocolate.

   Kiwi and papaya are colorful fruits have an alluring and interesting aspect about them that can help flip the switch. Loaded with antioxidants, tropical fruits help fend off heart disease and cancers. Kiwi actually has more Vitamin C in it than an orange, and papaya is rich in beta-carotene and high in fiber.

   Honey was thought in medievel times to sweeten the marriage when mixed into a drink. Bear in mind, however, it’s still pretty high in sugar, so use sparingly.

   Asparagus can also help get your partner in the mood. It’s one of the few good sources of Vitamin E and is a Natural diuretic. Steaming is the best way to prepare them without losing nutrients, and they can easily be eaten by hand.

   A good cup of coffee or tea after that romantic dinner stimulates the release of epinephrine, which contributes to stimulation in the body. It can also be found in dark chocolate. Just don’t consume too much caffeine before bed, unless you plan on being awake all night long!

   We’ve all learned through the years that a well-balanced diet is healthy for our body and critical for optimal health and preformance. Our hair is no different a mixture of protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and iron are all required for healthy, strong hair.

   Good hair nutrition begins with getting enough protein, which is the building block of your hair. Then you need complex carbohydrates to help assemble the proteins for hair growth. Other important vitamins and minerals include B complex, which is associated with energy production and building good hair and skin issues, folic, B12, and zinc.

   Hair follicles can have low energy levels just like we do. Therefore, it’s very important that you eat a high protein mean at the start of each day. Consider the following food choices for breakfast and the other daily meals in order to give you hair the healthest opportunity to grow and thrive.

   If you don’t have high cholesterol, try eating red meat twice per week. It has the protein your hair needs, but also is full of Vitamin B, iron, and zinc, which are all important for healthy hair. Bacon  is another great choice as it’s also full of Vitamin B, zinc and protein, but since it’s also high calorie, it’s not the best choice if you’re also trying to lose weight. Eggs and eggs whites are another great protein option, especially for vegetarians or those who cannot eat red meat or bacon due to dietary restricitions. Salmon is another great protein choice, and works great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You’ll find it’s also full of Vitamin B, including B12, and other vitamins and minerals.

   Just be sure to keep in mind that you should also have complex carbohydrates, which feed you energy over a longer period of time than refined carbohydrates, with your protein source at meals. Brown short-grain rice is an ideal form. It’s also a good source of Vitamin B and some fiber. Whole grain choices complement your protein consumption by helping organize the proteins for the hair to utilize for optimal growth and health.

   Recent research shows that specific chemicals in foods such as sulforaphane, a phytochemical in broccoli work with your genes to ratchet up your body’s natural defense systems, helping to inactivate toxins and free radicals before they can do the damage that leads to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and even premature aging.

   And the hope for the future is to be able to tell someone what diseases or maladies they are might be genetically predispositioned to early on, so their diets can be focused accordingly. We’ll know which ones to add, which ones to avoid, and be able to take a proactive role in preventing or deterring a genetic disease. In the meantime, many foods have been determined to pack a punch to the aging process.

   Lycopene, the pigment that makes tomatoes red, also appears risk for cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and macular degeneration. It’s also  been associated in greater self-sufficiency in elderly adults. While fresh tomatoes have a good hit of lycopene, the most absorbable forms are found in cooked tomato products, such as spaghetti sauce and soup and prepared salsas. pjnk grapefruit, guava, red bell peppers, and watermelon are also rich in lycopene.

   Eating at least two cups of orange fruit like sweet potatoes, squah and carrots boosts intake of beta- carotene, which converts to Vitamin A, essential for healthy skin and eyes, and which may also reduce the risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Lutein and lycopene, also found in orange produce, also helps reduce the risk of macular degeneration and may protect skin from sun damage and even reduce wrinkling as well. Mangos and cantaloupes are also beta- carotene endowed.

   And if you don’t do anything else to change your diet, eat your dark leafly greens. They have been showed to significantly reduce your risk for heart disease and may also save your eyesights. Dietary guidelines advise at least three cups of green a week. Frozen or bagged is as good as fresh.

   Don’t forget the mental aging process either. The heart-healthy omega 3-fatty acids have also recently been shown to keep your brain sharp. a recent study found that a higher intake of fatty fish significantly reduced mental decline. If fresh fish isn’t an option, go for canned tuna, salmon, and sardines.

   Heart disease is number one killer among both men and women in the United States. And though we all realize that eating nutrients-dense healthy foods help reduce the risk, we may not know which foods are the best choices to battle this deadly disease head on. The key is stepping up fiber and choosing unsaturated fats. Eating unsaturated fats, like omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil, can help to reduce triglycerides. And a diet rich in soluble fiber, which is often found in legumes and some fruits and vegetables, helps to decrease LDL cholesterol levels.

   Sardines are an awesome source of omega-3 fatty acids, along with calium and niacin. You can prepare fresh ones on the grill, or canned sardines work great in salads or sandwiches. Mackerel is another excellent source of omega-3s, and is full of selenium, which is an antioxidant mineral which may help protect the body from heart disease and cancer. A great way to get omega-3 on the go is by grabbing a handful of walnuts for an afternoon snack. Add some to your green salad, or give chicken salad a nutrition boost by adding ground walnuts.

   Kidney beans are an affordable source of high fiber, are low fat and have no cholesterol. Add them to salads and chili, as they truly are almost a prefect health food. Since canned varieties tend to be higher in sodium, try to use the dried varieties whenever possible.

   Whole-grain barley is rich in soluble fiber, which is good for combating constipation. it’s also a good protein source and has a good supply of iron and minerals. Choose whole-grain barley cereals, or substitute whole-grain barley for rice and pasta side dishes once a week.

   Oatmeal is a great way to boost your fiber content early in the morning, and it also has a low glycemic index, which helps to provide lasting energy stave off hunger. Choose rolled oats, and add some raisins, apples, and honey for flavor. Instant oatmeal isn’t a healthy option as it’s usually loaded with sugar.