The underlying cause of Alzheimer's may be lack of oxygen.
Previous studies have shown that diabetes, stroke, clogged arteries and ageing all increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Only 5% of cases appear to have been strongly influenced by genetic factors. Now evidence has emerged that lack of oxygen may be the ultimate cause.
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So getting enough oxygen to the brain may help stave off Alzheimer’s in people with known risk factors...
One of the best ways to get oxygen to the brain is by increasing blood flow. What better way than exercise.
Regular exercise reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease up to 40%.
For those who have already developed early symptoms, exercise delays progression.
Posted by Jill Fallon at November 22, 2006 12:13 PM | TrackBack | PermalinkI think my MIL's case must have had some genetic pre-disposition then (although her parents didn't have Alzheimer's). She was in her late 70's and played tennis when the symptoms started. Then the condition was sped up when it was found she had breast cancer and she had surgery then chemo... two years later she was gone.
I suppose it's possible she had hardening of the arteries that even the tennis didn't prevent with the resulting loss of oxygen to the brain. Hard to say.
But as usual, they (the people who are looking for reasons) are once again confusing correlation and causation.
Posted by: Teresa at November 22, 2006 6:16 PM