Alzheimer's epidemic is coming
Last Updated Aug 2007
The good news is people are living longer. The bad news is there is going to
be a lot more Alzheimer's patients as a consequence. A recent study by Johns
Hopkins University indicates that by 2050 the number of people living with
Alzheimer's disease will increase by 400 percent. Furthermore, it is estimated by
2050 that one in every 85 people will have Alzheimer's disease. Although we are
getting better at telling which patients will develop this disease, we have very
little in terms of drugs to reverse it. Or do we?
Paper after paper keep on appearing in the scientific literature that point to high
levels of fish consumption and omega-3 fat consumption as powerful preventive
measures to its development. Animal studies have shown that in mice bred to
develop Alzheimer's disease, feeding them high levels of omega-3 fatty acids
prevents its appearance. We know that Alzheimer's is a neuro-inflammation disease
and that omega-3 fatty acids have profound anti-inflammatory properties if given in
sufficient quantities. But what is a sufficient quantity? If you don't have
Alzheimer's, I recommend taking 7.5 grams of EPA and DHA per day. If you have the
early stages of this disease, then increase that to 10-15 grams per day. Of all
the organs you want to protect from inflammatory attack, the brain is number one.
If you don't, then Alzheimer's will be a likely companion as you grow older.