Is Alzheimers Prevention possible through Integrative practices like meditation? It appears so.
A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease showed that meditation improved mental function in people with memory loss. It also increased brain activity in areas central to memory.
As people age the risk of Alzheimer’s increases. Currently, about 5 million people are estimated to suffer from the disease. Estimates point to an increase of Alzheimer’s by 400 percent as our population ages.
Alzheimers prevention practices are what we need now to minimize this risk to an aging population.
Brain Longevity
Dr Khalsa speaks of brain longevity and the idea that we can prevent the loss of memory and actually improve our memory with age. It is NOT a given that we all need to suffer memory impairment just because of age. Alzheimers prevention is possible through mind-body practices and the right diet.
His book Brain Longevity: The Breakthrough Medical Program that Improves Your Mind and Memory is a breakthrough program for the brain created to lessen the effects of memory problems caused by stress, aging, and Alzheimer’s disease.
There currently is no magic-bullet pill to prevent or reverse dementia. And according to Dr. D.S. Khalsa, we need to apply integrative prevention and treatment programs. An integrated approach is one combining certain medications with dietary supplementation, nutritional, therapy, physical and mental exercise, stress management and mind-body therapy.
According to Dr. D.S. Khalsa, Director of the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, this is the first study to investigate the potential to reverse memory loss and prevent dementia through the practice of meditation.
The practice Dr.Khalsa has used in his studies is called Kirtan Kriya from the Kundalini Yoga tradition.
Participants did a simple 12 minute meditation every day for 8 weeks. Results showed improved cognition and increased blood flow in the brains of people with memory loss.
Featuring Dr. Khalsa’s 4 Pillars Approach:
- Diet and Supplements
- Stress Management
- Memory-enhancing meditations
- Exercise, both mental and physical
- Medication, when necessary
Food as Medicine
A recent study from the National Institute on Aging has shown that people who eat two servings of Omega 3 foods per week (or take Omega 3 Fish Oil) have greater brain mass and appear to have a much lower risk of Dementia and Alzheimers disease.
Fatty fish consumption is great for the heart. This new study shows that it is great for the brain as well.
Fatty fish contain Omega 3 fatty oils. These would include:
- Salmon
- Anchovies
- Herring
- Mackrel
- Sardines
I have found what I believe to be the very best source of natural Omega 3s at Vital Choice Wild Seafood and Organics.
Related Articles:
7 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
7 excellent suggestions in this interesting article from Health Perch.. One of the suggestions is meditating just 20 minutes per day.
Heart Healthy Diet
Anti-Inflammatory foods, Fresh Wild Seafood, Managing Emotions and more!