#my blood sugar labs were normal and I have no diabetes risk factors or symptoms so idk wtf this is

[artemisiatridentata]

woke up with a near-migraine headache bc I dared to eat two pieces of chocolate-chip banana bread last night :( this sugar intolerance sucks so fucking bad god

[ullmanwrites-blog]

HEART HEALTH / CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Blog Series Written for JIPA Network, 2019 #1 Killer What is the #1 killer in the world? Cancer? War? Accidents? Nope! It’s heart disease. Heart disease causes 31% of all deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. And in the Caribbean, the mortality rate from heart disease is 30% higher, which means fewer people there survive it. What is commonly referred to as “heart disease” includes numerous problems, many of which stem from a build-up of plaque in the walls of arteries. This build-up narrows the arteries, which makes it harder for blood to flow through them. If a blood clot forms due to this, and limits or prevents the blood from flowing, that can cause a heart attack or stroke. If a blood clot cuts off blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery actually begins to die. Other types of heart disease include: • Heart Failure – The heart is not pumping blood as well as it should, so the body’s needs for blood and oxygen are not being met. It gets worse if left untreated. • Arrhythmia – This is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. The heart can beat too slowly, too quickly or irregularly, affecting how well the heart can do its job. • Heart Valve Issues – Sometimes a heart valve will not open enough to allow proper blood flow. Other times, the valve may not close completely, so blood leaks through. The valve may also bulge or prolapse back into the upper chamber of the heart. Key screening tests for regularly monitoring heart health include: • Blood pressure • Cholesterol • Weight / BMI (Body Mass Index) • Blood sugar (glucose) • Discuss physical activity, diet, smoking with your doctor If you don’t have a regular annual check-up with your doctor, you likely wouldn’t know if you do have heart disease – until it’s too late. Don’t let the planet’s #1 killer take you down. The Web We Weave Heart disease usually does not exist in a vacuum. Very often, it is a “comorbid” condition. In other words, the person has two or more chronic diseases or conditions at the same time. Following are some conditions that are common comorbidities of heart disease: • Diabetes • High Blood Pressure • Depression • Anxiety • Obesity • Kidney Disease • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high cholesterol or diabetes, the risk of a heart attack or stroke increases. Comorbid conditions may sometimes influence each other or make one another worse. However, the good news is that sometimes new medications or lifestyle changes that improve one comorbid condition can also improve another. “It’s the Big One!” If you’ve ever watched reruns of the 1970s TV show Sanford and Son, you probably recall Redd Foxx dramatically clutching his chest and calling, “This is the big one! I’m coming to see you, Elizabeth!” when he needed something or found himself in trouble. In reality though, when a heart attack strikes, the symptoms are not always so obvious. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most begin slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Pain, pressure, squeezing or tightening in the chest is a common symptom, but it’s not the only one. Sometimes you’ll feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, shoulder, back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath can occur, with or without pain in the chest. Other possible signs are as subtle as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or feeling lightheaded or dizzy. It may feel like indigestion or heartburn. You may have rapid or irregular heartbeats, or extreme weakness and fatigue. Remember these warning signs of a possible heart attack. Even if you’re not sure that it is a heart attack, have it checked out immediately. Minutes matter. The Heart of the Matter Heart attacks are not always fatal. Survival depends on: • Recognizing the symptoms • Immediately calling emergency services • Chewing an aspirin while waiting for EMS Always have aspirin on hand, and if you’re already a heart patient, ask your doctor about nitroglycerine. Everyone in your family should know CPR, as well as the warning signs of a heart attack. Also, do not delay in getting to the hospital quickly. My wife’s mother is not with us today because she waited too long before calling someone for help. 25% of patients wait more than 6 hours to go to the emergency room after symptoms begin! Have you already had a heart attack? Your doctor will advise you of medications and lifestyle changes, which will vary according to how badly your heart was damaged and what degree of heart disease you have. There are five important ways to lower your risk of a second heart attack: 1. Take your medications exactly as your doctor prescribed. Forgetting a dose or to get a refill can cause serious problems. 2. Follow-up with your doctor within six weeks of your heart attack, and on a regular basis after that to keep your recovery on track. 3. Cardiac rehabilitation improves recovery with physical fitness, heart-healthy living, and addressing stress. 4. Manage risk factors with medications and lifestyle changes. 5. Get support from family, friends, and other heart attack survivors. You’re in the Driver’s Seat 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Your family medical history is what it is – you can change your jeans, but you can’t change your genes. There are many other risk factors for heart disease, however, that are completely under your control. • Tobacco use o A smoker’s risk of developing heart disease is much higher than that of nonsmokers. When a nonsmoker is regularly exposed to other people’s smoke, the risk is increased for them as well. Smoking robs the heart of oxygen-rich blood and increases the effects of other risk factors. • Physical inactivity o Physical activity helps reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. It can also help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and of course, obesity. A minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, lifting weights, etc.) 4-7 days per week is recommended. • Harmful use of alcohol o Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and contribute to high triglycerides, obesity, and irregular heartbeats. Limit consumption to no more than 1-2 drinks per day. • Unhealthy diet o Calorie-rich foods and/or foods high in sodium, saturated fat & trans fat are bad for you o A Mediterranean-style diet is recommended by many doctors. This diet is centered on fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and olive oil. Include some fish and poultry but limit your intake of red meat, dairy, processed meats and sweets. • Obesity o Even with no other risk factors, obese people are more likely to develop heart disease. A healthy diet and regular exercise will help you keep your weight under control. • High blood pressure (Hypertension) o High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, causing the heart muscle to become thicker. This prevents the heart from working properly. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. • High cholesterol o Triglyceride is the most common type of fat in the body. A high triglyceride level, combined with harmful cholesterol levels, is associated with the buildup of fatty deposits in the artery walls. • High blood sugar (Diabetes) o Diabetes seriously increases your risk of heart disease. At least 68% of people over 65 years of age die from some form of heart disease. • Stress o In addition to its effects on the heart, stress may influence other risk factors such as overeating and smoking. Here are some lesser-known risk factors that can trigger a heart attack for someone already suffering from heart disease: • Intense emotions such as anger or grief • Sudden exertion for those not used to exercising • Extreme cold • Eating a heavy meal • Poor sleep (also linked to weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure). The ideal amount of sleep is 7-9 hours per night My Wife Made Me Do It! I’ve never had a problem, or a fear, of the doctor’s office. I’ve gone to the doctor for everything from bronchitis and the flu, to a sprained ankle and a burst appendix. Whenever something is wrong that doesn’t go away, I go see my doctor. I knew from raising children that they need regular checkups and shots. But adults like me? It didn’t cross my mind. Then my wife put this crazy idea in my head that I needed a checkup. “When was the last time you had lab work done?” became, “Have you made an appointment yet?” So I went to the doctor, even though I felt fine – admittedly, to put an end to the nagging. They checked my vitals, took my blood, talked to me about my family history, etc. Ok, my duty is done. A week later, the nurse called me. “Your cholesterol and sugar are too high. The doctor wants to see you again.” So back I went. The doctor told me my cholesterol was almost 300, and my blood sugar was in the pre-diabetic zone. “The last thing you want is to have to take insulin every day or end up with a heart attack. What kind of food do you eat?” he asked. “Whatever my family’s eating. Hamburgers, sandwiches, fried chicken.” “Lots of desserts?” “Just one after every meal.” “How about exercise?” “What’s that?” The doctor said with my lab numbers and family history of heart disease, I would have to make some major changes. No more fast food. A diet low in cholesterol and sugar. Only lean protein like fish and poultry. No more bread. Veggies instead of starchy sides. Fruit instead of sweets. No late-night snacking on junk. And at least 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise. “It will also help you lose that extra 25 pounds or so. Come back and see me in six months.” Six months later, after making the changes the doctor wanted – most of the time; it was rough – my lab numbers were better, but my cholesterol was still too high. He ordered a scan of my arteries, which showed that some plaque was starting to build up a bit. Nothing serious – yet. Taking my family history into account – both parents with high cholesterol, and heart disease in everyone on my dad’s side – the doctor put me on a medication called a statin to lower the amount of bad cholesterol in my blood. “You still need to exercise and watch what you eat,” he warned. “It’s medicine, not magic.” Six months later, my cholesterol was much better. Six months after that, it was in normal range, and it’s stayed that way. That was five years ago. Thanks to my wife’s nagging and following doctor’s orders, I ought to live longer than I would have otherwise. Watching what I eat can be difficult, and I do indulge once in a while or go a couple days without so much as a long walk, but I’m doing better. My father survived a major heart attack, but his three younger siblings did not survive theirs. Hopefully I can avoid that fate. JIPA Network has many world-class cardiologists in its network. Reach out and see how we can help you – it’s probably more affordable than you think, and it may save your life. Sources: American Heart Association, World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control

[testosteroneandhgh-blog]

The High Price of Low Testosterone Levels

From energy, sex drive, and strength and muscle-building capabilities, low testosterone levels can quickly deplete a man of his defining male qualities. Unfortunately, with age, males become more and more naturally inclined to sluggish hormone production and depletion. It’s called Low-T, and their overall health often pays a high price for it. It’s a conundrum that’s left many turning to hormone replacement therapy as a possible treatment. Is it right for you?

You’ve Got A Testosterone Problem... Now What?

Not too long ago, I stood in my bathroom, syringe loaded with hCG in hand, asking that same question. Now, human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, isn’t a growth hormone, illegal steroid, or even testosterone. It’s actually a natural glycopeptide hormone formed in human placenta. It’s extracted from the woman’s urine and purified into Pregnyl for injection. So, that sounds icky enough, right? The real issue is if you’re better off with it or suffering through the side effects of Low-T? While hCG is also used as a fertility treatment, in the case of Low-T, it’s used to help the testes produce more testosterone. It has potential negative effects. More on that later. How did I know I had a hormone problem to begin with? I went to my doctor and had a simple blood test because I was having classic symptoms of belly fat I couldn’t shake, weaker erections, low energy, etc. My blood work showed that my testosterone level was under 240 ng per dl when it should be between 300 and 1,000. A second test a few weeks later measured my free testosterone, which is the actionable T that binds with receptors. It was only 45 picograms, which is about the amount a typical boy entering puberty would have floating around. Well, isn’t that lovely. According to NYC endocrinologist and author of “Keep It Up: The Power of Precision Medicine to Conquer Low T and Revitalize Your Life” Dr. Florence Comite, free testosterone should be 150 to 250 pg per ml. It’s important to understand that free testosterone isn’t just the ‘maleness’ of a man. It’s responsible for supporting almost every major system in the body, including organs, arteries, bone density, muscle mass, and even healthy hair. It’s been linked to several serious diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. In other words, Low-T can be a major health problem. Male testosterone levels begin to steadily and naturally decline in the late 30s and continues at a rate of one to two percent drops per year thereafter. It such a gradual decline that most men don’t even notice the side effects until sometime in their 50s. Technically, it’s called hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, but to the lay population, it’s often just called andropause or male menopause. Hi, I’m Joe, and I have male menopause. Again, great news, right.

What Are My Options For Raising Testosterone Levels?

My hormone therapy physiciangave me several pharmaceutical options, including under the skin implants, external gels, under-the- skin implants, and testosterone injections. Each physician-supervised therapy has their own set of pros and cons that you should thoroughly discuss with your practitioner. As a family man, topical treatments were a no-go since it could easily be transferred to others through contact. I found hCG injections most appealing for the ease and naturalness of it. According to Dr. Comite, hCG is a viable therapy option for men who haven’t completely stopped making T. It’s more like a start button for T production by mimicking luteinizing hormone.

Benefits Of T-Therapy Replacement

Clinical science is supporting a number of benefits and positive outcomes of hormone replacement therapies like TRT.

• Body Composition In one UCLA study, men given T gel gained over four pounds of new muscle over six months and almost seven pounds over 18 months. Dr. Comite points out that improved body composition further translates to existing disease processes; diabetics, for example, may see reversed insulin resistance and the ability to better metabolize sugar.

• Bone Density Osteoporosis isn’t just a disease attacking women. Of brittle bone fractures occurring in the 50+ age range, four in 10 are in males. Studies have proven that bone mineral density increases with T-treatment, especially for the spine and hips.

• Cardiovascular Hormones like T are thought to play a significant role in keeping arteries flexible to dilate and constrict in accordance with blood flow. Studies have discovered that low T levels are common in men with cardiovascular disease and/or its risk factors.

• Sexual Function The journal, Clinical Endocrinology, published a review of 17 independent studies concerning sexual function and testosterone supplements. It found that supplementation for three months yielded improved libido, increase in spontaneous nighttime erections, and more frequent sex.

Do You Really Have A T-Problem?

Today, there are over 5 million U.S. males diagnosed with Low-T, and an estimated 12.5 million more with undiagnosed and untreated T deficiencies. Even with the undiagnosed numbers, statistics show that the number of T prescriptions written between 2001 and 2011 for males 40-years-old and up tripled. And, medical personnel are reporting that males younger and younger are seeking T therapy. According to Dr. Larry Lipshultz, chief of male reproductive medicine and surgery at Baylor College of medicine, T has been optimized by younger gym crowds as an it-factor. This it-factor trend may be largely thanks to the $100 million in marketing dollars that pharmaceutical companies spend each year marketing T-based therapies. They use leading questions and suggestive messages to encourage treating numbers where symptoms may not even exist. The fact is that T-based therapies remain somewhat controversial due to the potential risks of long-term treatment, such as testicle shrinkage, prostate cancer, breast enlargement, and cardiac arrest. Wary doctors continue to cite the unknown safety and efficacy issues and uncertainty of benefits that exist from a lack of comprehensive medical research. Here’s a good example: While professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina and author of “Rethinking Aging” Nortin Hadler promotes exercise over putting a “silly compound” into your body and exposing your organs to unnecessary risks from androgen exposure, associate clinical professor of urology at Harvard Medical Abraham Morgentaler doesn’t believe the aging effects of Low-T should be ignored. Morgentaler points out that no one would argue that glasses shouldn’t be worn because the eyes get weaker with age. This line of thought leads one to believe that there’s no reason not to treat T issues with the same diligence as other age-related disease processes. If you look at the research, Morgentaler makes a lot of sense to the layman. Are T therapies really any different than the hundreds of pharmaceuticals out there, such as statins, that solve one problem at the potential risk for developing others? Plus, much of the research simply contradicts its predecessor research. Back in 2011, Morgentaler and Lipshultz actually monitored men with untreated prostate cancer who also had hormone replacement therapy with T for over two years. The study, published in the Journal of Urology, found no growth of the cancer nor worsening of symptoms a year later. The bottom line here is that if you’re looking for a consensus on the safety and effectiveness of T replacement, you won’t find it. TRT is something you should speak with a medical expert about, confirm that you have an actual clinical problem, and then thoroughly discuss your options and pros and cons of each before deciding on T injections or any other treatment option. Look for physician supervised testosterone therapy and hgh therapyfor men. Dr. Lipshultz suggest clinicians treat symptoms, not lab results, and warns that many facilities are targeting clients with false anti-aging promises and failing to carefully track their patients. Levels of T in the circulatory system must be monitored carefully to make sure it’s high enough for positive effects and low enough to avoid unwanted negatives.

What Are The Known Negative Effects Of T Replacement?

• Reduced sperm production by suppressing natural T production.

• Reduced testicular volume .

• Possible lower HDL cholesterol

• Thicker blood due to higher red blood cell concentrations, which may cause risk of blood clots and strokes.

• Possibility of aggression if your already inclined to it; T simply makes your brain more sensitive to the social cues that create aggressive outbursts.

My Decision To Treat Low-T

I’m not one to tamper with nature... well, unless the reward vs risk favors me. In the case of my T problem, I felt treatment was a reward worth the potential risks. Insurance doesn’t cover it. So, I’m paying a high cost for my improvements, but I ultimately feel assured that the results are not only good for my personal lifestyle, happiness, and appearance but also my overall health. Given that I have pre-diabetes and a family history of heart disease, I also feel some peace knowing that I’m taking a positive proactive step for prevention of future health problems.

My decision boiled down to two key points:

1. Having a trustworthy treatment center dedicated to patient knowledge, safe and precision practices, and a comprehensive monitoring strategy.

2. Lab work that confirmed the hormone imbalance was congruent with how I felt and my body was behaving. Since starting my treatment and enacting some positive lifestyle changes concerning my diet and exercise, I feel like a new person. I’ve gained muscle. My skin is firmer. My blood sugars are under control. My T levels are up in the normal range. My libido is alive and well, and I have the tools to get the job done. I have the energy, stamina, and positive mindset to work toward each of my personal, professional, and health goals. I haven’t had a single negative come out of my decision. The above is enough to make me at peace with my T decision. What will your decision be on T?

[ghaw2007]

7 Alzheimer’s Remedies/Foods

7 Alzheimer’s Remedies

1. What you eat TOTALLY matters

If you’ve spent any time at all on this website, you know my mantra: Food is medicine. Hippocrates knew the importance of food in healing the body back in 400 B.C. when he advised people to prevent and treat diseases first and foremost by eating nutrient-packed foods. Modern science is catching up.

Scientists recently found that the Mediterranean diet seems to be protective against Alzheimer’s disease. A UCLA study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that the Mediterranean diet is one of the main lifestyle factors that seems to keep the brain from developing the toxic plaques and tangles associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. (2)

Plaque is characterized by deposits of a toxic protein called beta-amyloid in the spaces between nerve cells in the brain. Think of tangles of knotted threads of the tau protein found within brain cells. Both are considered the key indicators of Alzheimer’s.

The new study used PET imaging to study the brain for changes and is the first to demonstrate how lifestyle factors directly influence abnormal proteins in people with subtle memory loss who have not yet been diagnosed with dementia. Healthy lifestyle factors also have been shown to be related to reduced shrinking of the brain and lower rates of atrophy in people with Alzheimer’s. (3)

Food staples of the Mediterranean diet include:

fresh fruits and vegetables (especially leafy greens like spinach and kale and non-starchy veggies like eggplant, cauliflower, artichokes, tomatoes and fennel)

olive oil

nuts and seeds (like almonds and sesame seeds used to make tahini)

legumes and beans (especially lentils and chickpeas used to make hummus)

herbs and spices (like oregano, rosemary and parsley)

whole grains

eating wild-caught fish and seafood at least twice a week

high-quality, pasture-raised poultry, eggs, cheese, goat milk, and probiotic-rich kefir or yogurt consumed in moderation

red meat consumed on special occasions or about once weekly

plenty of fresh water and some coffee or tea

oftentimes a daily glass of red wine

2. Exercise is a potent Alzheimer’s preventer

That same UCLA-led study also produced some robust results surrounding exercise’s brain-protecting properties. Those who were more physically active on a regular basis also had the lowest levels of tangles and plaques on the PET scans, meaning they had a much lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. (2)

While any type of exercise is certainly better than sitting around, if you’re time strapped, burst training, also known as high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, is a great option. Here are 3 HIIT workouts to help you get started.

Keep in mind, though, that we need more research on how HIIT impacts the brain. We know that it does melt away fat faster than traditional steady state cardio (and a lower BMI lowers your risk of the tangles and plaques associated with Alzheimer’s, according to the latest UCLA study). However, a previous study did find that steady state cardio creates more brain neurons compared to weight training or HIIT. (4)

More research is needed to see if one form of exercise is best to prevent Alzheimer’s. For now, just focus on any physical activity and getting into a healthy BMI range.

3. Your profession could act like an anti-Alzheimer’s drug

Did you know that certain jobs could protect against Alzheimer’s? Humans are social creatures, and working directly with other people instead of primarily with data or things seems to offer protection against Alzheimer’s.

Scientists from Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute looked at 284 brain scans of middle-aged people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. They found that those who worked closely with people in complex work situations were able to tolerate brain damage better than those who worked in more isolated settings. Those who worked in more social settings, examples may include teachers and doctors, seem to be able to better maintain cognitive function. (5, 6)

The researchers say these analyses underscore the importance of social engagement in the work setting for building resilience to Alzheimer’s disease. If you work in isolation and can’t do much to change that, take extra steps to be as social as possible after work hours and on your days off to make your brain more resilient. (7)

4. Marijuana could protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease

In what could be a huge finding in the natural Alzheimer’s treatment world, scientists from the Salk Institute discovered that tetrahycrocannabinol, a main component of cannabis, and other compounds found in marijuana could block the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

In the lab, the plant compounds blocked the disease by easing cellular inflammation and removing toxic amyloid proteins on brain cells. This is a first-of-its-kind study showing that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells. Clinical trials are now needed to see if the promising results hold true in humans, too. 

5. Avoiding certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs could lower your Alzheimer’s risk 

Drugs linked to dementia now include popular sleep and allergy meds. These include things like diphenhydramine (for allergies), dimenhydrinate (for motion sickness/nausea), a combination of ibuprofen and diphenhydramine citrate (for pain and sleep) and doxylamine (for allergies), among others. These pills have anticholinergic properties, something increasingly linking to dementia.

A 2016 study published in JAMA Neurology used MRI and PET scans to show how anticholinergic drugs lower brain metabolism and trigger higher rates of brain atrophy. Taking anticholinergic drugs also led to worse scores on memory tests. (11)

Certain antidepressants, COPD and asthma medications, along with drugs for overactive bladder issues, could also fall in the anticholinergic category. Therefore, if you need these medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if safer alternatives exist.

6. Your gut plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease

Your gut is responsible for so much more than digestion. In 2016, University of Chicago researchers found that a long-term dose of antibiotics changed the gut bacteria of mice in a way that seemed to help reduce levels of amyloid-beta proteins in mice brains. (12, 13)

This is preliminary research, and I certainly don’t suggest we all start taking antibiotics. But what I like about this breakthrough is that it highlights the fact that our guts — or our microbiome — are very closely tied to our brains and brain-related disease. In fact, many called our guts the “second brain.” Future research could potentially look at more natural ways to keep our guts healthy to protect our brains.

7. A personalized approach to treatment

A 2016 a small study published in the journal Aging, researchers from the Buck Institute and UCLA were able to use personalized treatment to actually reverse Alzheimer’s disease in patients dealing with the early stages of the disease. Using a 36-point therapeutic personalized program that involves comprehensive changes in diet, brain stimulation, exercise, sleep optimization, specific pharmaceuticals and vitamins and other steps that impact brain chemistry, the team was able to improve some patients’ symptoms to the point where they were actually able to return to work. (14)

(Bonus info: Sleep positions matter. Side sleeping improves one of the brain’s waste-clearing processes, lowering the risk for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.)

Foods To Eat

Organic, unprocessed foods — Make sure you diet includes plenty of “real foods.” These are foods that don’t have an ingredient listing. Vegetables, clean meats and fruit in moderation are all important foods to consume.

Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E — There may be some connection between free radicals and Alzheimer’s. Antioxidant foods help combat the damage caused by free radicals.  Colorful fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and should be consumed at every meal.

Wild-caught fish — A great source for omega-3 fats, DHA specifically, which are critical for brain health.

Foods high in zinc — Many people with Alzheimer’s are deficient in zinc. Foods high in zinc include pumpkin seeds, grass-fed beef and dark chocolate.

Coconut oil — Coconut oil uses include providing the brain with ketones, which serves as brain fuel instead of glucose. Some people have seen significant improvement to memory after adding coconut to their diet.

Foods To Avoid

Any food containing toxins or additives — These foods can possibly be neurotoxic. Be sure to especially avoid the “dirty dozen“: nonorganic fruits and vegetables that are coated with neurotoxic agricultural chemicals. Studies show people with higher levels of organochlorine pesticides in their blood, including DDE, a breakdown compound of DDT, face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. (15, 16)  It’s also best to avoid any processed foods.

Alcohol — Alcohol is a toxin and can cause brain cells to die faster than normal. In fact, there is such a thing as “alcohol-related dementia.” Research shows that the frontal lobes of people diagnosed with alcoholism appear particularly susceptible to damage, with evidence of markedly decreased neuron density, volume shrinkage, and altered glucose metabolism and perfusion. (17)

Tap water — Tap water may contain environmental toxins, including aluminum salts (see below), so be sure test your water if you drink tap water (or get a recent water testing report if you drink municipal water) and filter out contaminants. Environmental Working Group issued a great drinking water filter guide to help you find the best one for your circumstance.

Sugar and refined grains — Alzheimer’s may be caused by insulin resistance, similar to diabetes. Therefore, keeping your insulin low by eliminating sugar and refined grains will be an important component in maintaining brain health.

Foods packaged in aluminum containers — Aluminum is neurotoxic at high levels, so it’s best to avoid it. In fact, research shows aluminum enters neurons similarly to how iron does, leading to aluminum accumulation and neurofibrillary damage linked to Alzheimer’s progression. (18) You should particularly avoid heating food in aluminum; the heat is known to release more toxic compounds.

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