Many of us know people who have been inflicted with Dementia. And if you know anybody who has been impacted with any of these awful brain crippling conditions, you would definitely know exactly what I am talking about.

You’d think that modern medicine could have these conditions eradicated by now. But then if you recognize that this is a big industry with hefty costs to the consumer for care and medications. Treating senior citizens in general is a huge money maker. Toss in the costs for administering special care for Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why the Marriott Corp. jumped on board by opening those quaint little Courtyard inns in preparation for the day we Baby Boomer enter into enter old age.

So what do we do?

Fight back, dear reader! You can do this by taking control of your destiny.

And there are a ton of opportunities that will keep your minds sharp as a tack if you’re up to do the work. For starters, eliminate those friends who chomp away at your time. Surround yourself with people who bring pleasure, joy and add a benefit to your day. If that is a tall order to do, then make sure to put happy times in your energy field. (More on that in our next article.)

But the bottom line is that if you want to strengthen your brain and put it in high gear, then use it. When it comes to the brain, as the saying goes, if you don’t use it, you will lose it! Like a workout at a gym, the brain’s muscle need a good pump too. And one way to achieve this is by learning and playing the brain rousing game of Sudoku.

Time and time again studies continue to suggest that those who keep themselves engaged in intellectually challenging activities like social interaction, board games, crossword or Sudoku puzzles, and even learning a language, significantly lower their risk of being inflicted with Alzheimer’s and other forms of nasty brain conditions.

So then how do we build up brain muscle without strutting around with barbells hanging from our ear lobes? Just add one Sudoku puzzle to your day to get those brain waves active. You’ll stimulate that natural brain juice and lube up the inner-mechanisms of your brain cells while having fun with a challenging mind game.

And if you haven’t heard of Sudoku, listen up. Sudoku is a game of wits. Sort of like a crossword puzzle, but with numbers. Logic is a key ingredient. The challenge is to determine which numbers go where. Sounds simple enough. But not so fast!

Each number can only be placed once in certain areas and that is where the challenge comes in. So get your pencils out. And once you know the ropes, it all makes sense. And the best is, you’ll be exercising your brain without even knowing it.

Imagine potentially beating the odds of Alzheimer’s, Dementia by just adding natural and regular brain stimulants into your life, and yet, having fun doing so!

Once I learned how to play, I was sold on Sudoku. If I had one wish, it would be that in my twilight years, I’d be hoping to run into you on a swanky tennis court, and not in Marriott Courtyard converted into a "home"!

For more information on Sudoku, or to learn the game, doesn’t matter if you’re a "newbie" or simply looking for new strategies to improve your skill set, In Motion, LLC has put together an easy-to-read, easy-to-learn 82-page guide, downloadable and in your hands in minutes with illustrations, step-by-step instructions and a No-Hassle, No-Questions-Asked, Money-Back GUARANTEE! To know more, visit www.Sudoku-Puzzle-Secrets.cc/brainfood

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Causes
Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently.

Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause Alzheimer’s disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta protein can’t pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta protein accumulates in a person’s brain, they become more and more mentally disabled.

Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could be one of the biggest threats to our overall health – especially when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a chemical process called glycation. Glycation refers to the combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately given the acronym AGE).

The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Risk Factors
Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.

Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood, such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors for Alzheimer’s, given the role of glycation.

Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of Alzheimer’s . Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare form of Alzheimer’s that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, is inherited – so family history is a big risk factor. The more common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset Alzheimer’s. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance pattern is seen.

Relationship to Aluminum
Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer’s has now been established. Additionally, a study looked at the association of Alzheimer’s and lifetime exposure to aluminum in antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease. The same held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to Alzheimer’s.

Symptoms and Cures
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease for which there is no known cure. However, various therapies and treatments can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it is important to know the warning signs for each stage of Alzheimer’s and detect the condition early. If caught early alpha lipoic acid and other Alzheimer’s treatments can be used to slow (and possibly stop) the progression of the disease.