Alzheimer’s disease: Diet, Ecology & brain trauma can be agents

Medical detectives are on the lookout for the dietary conditions that can cause Alzheimer’s disease. This is an effort to find out all possible aspects of the brain disorder that is progressively degenerative. Although the search is still on to find the missing link between food habits and the progressive brain disorder, there has been unanimity among the researchers with respect to the probable agent – this has been the food habits.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: WHAT IS IT?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder. Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of memory and speech. As a result, the Alzheimer’s patient starts losing confidence and harbors a fear complex. Such people exhibit inferiority complex as well.

Alzheimer’s disease can be of two types: early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The former is seen among youth of the 30-50-age group. It happens rarely.

The latter is again of two types. The first type is evident among people in 60-plus age bracket. The second type is common among people in the 80-plus age group.

TYPICAL DIETARY CONDITIONS CAN ALSO CAUSE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Dietary statements have also been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In 2001, researchers did a comparative study between certain sections of African Americans and Nigerians. This February 2001 study threw up interesting data.

The Nigerian residents – particularly of Ibadan in Nigeria – were less susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease than the American Africans.

The moot point, according to the researchers is the dietary habits of the people. The American Africans hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, (USA) generally go for fast foods which are high-fat content.

On the other hand, the staple food of the Nigerians (African) is generally vegetarian, and that too a low-fat one.  This dietary habit gives the African Nigerians insulation against Alzheimer’s disease whereas their American cousins suffer from a great risk with respect to Alzheimer’s ailment.

BRAIN TRAUMA: A PROBABLE CAUSE OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

A prominent example of brain trauma causing Alzheimer’s disease is former world boxing champion Muhammad Ali later christened as Classius Clay. The intense blows the sportsman suffered on his head while playing in the ring later made him an Alzheimer’s patient.

Serious injury to the head during childhood is also a cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

Moreover, close examination of the medical records of World War II (1939-1945) veterans established the apprehension. They proved that acute head injury during early adulthood may also lead to Alzheimer’s disease in later life.

There were also studies undertaken to find if the presence of the apoE gene was a major agent. But, it was found to be not true.

Through deduction it has been concluded that brain trauma is a primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease.