Alzheimer's can only be positively confirmed by an autopsy and an examination of the brain. Causes of this disease are not known and there is no cure, but some drugs as directed by your doctor may be beneficial in slowing the progress of the disease. Recent research indicates that non-steroidal drugs such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, taken steadily over many years, afford protection from Alzheimer's. However, these drugs have dangerous side affects if taken for long periods. The drugs may cause kidney failure or bleeding ulcers that are life threatening.

In this recent research there are indications that fish oil supplements may be helpful with no side affects. The latest research also indicates that Human Growth Hormone has been helpful in anti-aging therapy, which includes help for preventing Alzheimer's or in slowing the progress of the condition. This therapy of HGH must be under a doctor's care and recommendation.

.Just because you have the above mentioned symptoms does not mean that you have Alzheimer's, because anyone with advancing age may have problems remembering names and faces. Even if you have Alzheimer's, recent research indicates there are many things that can be done to prevent the disease or halt its progress.

Only recently have researchers been able to identify early warning signs which are called Mild Cognitive Impairment or MCI. A Mayo Clinic study revealed l5 percent of people with MCI will have the disease within one year compared to up to 2 percent of people without MCI. Fifty percent of people with MCI will have the disease within four or five years and after five years up to ninety percent will have it.

Additional research shows that a healthy lifestyle of physical exercise, mental exercise and proper nutrition will be extremely beneficial in preventing Alzheimer's or slowing its progress. For example, in a study in 2004 at John Hopkins, people who took 500 to 1000 milligrams daily of vitamin C or up to l000 IU of vitamin E had a 78 percent lower risk of Alzheimer's than the ones who had not taken the vitamins. In a Dutch study, people who had each day taken more than 23 IU's of vitamin E had a 43 percent lower risk of getting the disease compared to the ones who had not taken vitamin E. This Dutch study indicated all vitamin E was from food and not supplements.

In a Rush University study people who had 800 IU's each day of vitamin E had protection of 60 percent compared to the one not taking the vitamins. Many other studies have also indicated that reducing the total intake of calories not only adds years to life, It also protects the body from many serious diseases and complications. There are indications that diabetics have increased danger of Alzheimer's and this can be helped with fish oil supplements which combats insulin resistance that is a precursor of diabetes.

The proper nutrition program means to eat no refined glucose or carbohydrates, to eat fruits, vegetables, grains, cold water fish two or three times per week, lean beef once a week, and broiled, or baked chicken up to three times per week. Every day eat two tablespoons of ground flax seed mixed with water or soy milk. Flax seed is an almost miraculous food that has an abundance of omega 3 fatty acids, has fiber, will lower triglycerides and cholesterol and has a wealth of anti-oxidants that build up the immune system. Food supplements that are important are multivitamins, fish oil, and turmeric. Men should limit calories to 2000 per day and women should limit calories to l800 per day. Also, be sure to eat up to nine fruits and vegetables a day with emphasis on plenty of raw plant food, but keep portions low.

The physical exercise program should be thirty minutes three to six times per week, but if needed the thirty minutes could be split up into five or ten minute segments. It is not necessary to join a club or have any special equipment because one of the best exercises could be a brisk thirty minute walk in your neighborhood. Almost any kind of exercise will help.

The mental exercise could be working difficult crossword puzzles, reading books or articles that require concentration, studying a new subject or anything that makes you concentrate or think. Your mind is similar to other parts of your body: If you quit exercising your legs or quit walking by sitting in a wheel chair, it wouldn't be long before your legs would be useless.

Your social life and interaction with family and friends will also be beneficial for a healthy lifestyle program for prevention of Alzheimer's. If you already have Alzheimer's, then you can develop a program for halting or slowing the progression of the disease. Before starting this program consult with your doctor or health provider.

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