Dr. Cass Ingram, author

Alzheimer’s: America’s other killer pandemic Dr. Cass Ingram, author of How to Eat Right and Live Longer, recommends key dietary changes we can make to combat dementia and keep our brains healthy and functioning According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 6.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are currently suffering from Alzheimer's Disease – and that number is projected to climb to 12.7 million by 2050. Alzheimer's disease tends to develop slowly and gradually worsen over several years. Eventually, the disease affects most areas of the brain: memory, thinking, judgment, language, problem-solving, personality and movement can all be affected. “But Alzheimer’s is not just about cognitive impairment: Alzheimer’s kills,” says Dr. Cass Ingram, author of the book How to Eat Right and Live Longer. “This disease kills more Americans annually than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, and over the last two decades deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 145%.” “Like most degenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s is related to deficient diet. The brain is an organ, and like any other organ it requires good nutrition. If the required nutrients are not supplied, dysfunction and, ultimately, degeneration are likely to occur.” Here are some key lifestyle and nutritional advices that Dr. Ingram recommends for keeping the brain in good health and for combating age-related mental decline. 1. Do not consume refined sugar or allergenic foods Refined sugar has many negative effects and no positive ones. Its consumption is associated with an increased incidence of Alzheimer’s and a myriad of other health problems. Sugar and allergenic foods deplete the brain’s supply of antioxidants. 2. Avoid hydrogenated fats (trans fats) Fried foods, cookies, snack foods, and foods prepared with margarines and shortenings contain trans fatty acids which give the packaged product a long shelf life, but because they are not found in nature, these “fake fats” eat up the body’s supply of antioxidants, triggering a wide range of degenerative illnesses. Instead of using vegetable oils, use olive oils, flax seed oils, fish oils, and almond oils. 3. Eat whole, fresh, organic foods Lean meats, cold water fish, leafy green and cruciferous vegetables, mushrooms, omega-3 rich seed oils, blueberries, cherries and other antioxidant-rich fruits. 4. Use natural nutritional supplements Dr. Ingram’s book, How to Eat Right and Live Lon