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āAs we explored origins AND patterns OF chronic degenerative diseases, we discovered a web OF conditions IN THE environment -- including nutritional, chemical, physical AND social factors --
that HAVE a direct influence on THE risk OF Alzheimerās, Parkinsonās AND related chronic diseases,ā says report co-author Jill Stein, MD, Greater Boston Physicians FOR Social
Responsibility. āIt is clear from these findings that our activities IN THE areas OF food AND agriculture, energy, chemical use AND social organization are key drivers IN THE abnormal loss of
neurological function IN older people throughout THE modern world.ā
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THE scientific analysis IN THE report draws attention TO several specific environmental risk factors IN THE development OF dementia, Alzheimerās disease AND Parkinsonās disease. They
include, among others:
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(New exercise guidelines FOR health)
312
Quick tips FOR healthy aging AND brain health
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Following a healthy lifestyle AND reducing your exposure TO environmental toxins -- regardless OF your age -- can reduce your risk OF developing Alzheimerās, Parkinsonās AND other
chronic diseases significantly. This is especially important because THE population older than 65, which is highly vulnerable TO chronic disease, is expected TO nearly double IN THE U.S. by 2030 --
from about 38 million TO more than 71 million. With that increase will come a dramatic escalation OF chronic diseases. Authors OF THE report recommend THE following tips FOR aging healthfully
(click THE links FOR more information on each recommendation):
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IN addition TO these quick tips, itās essential TO advocate FOR change IN public health policies TO promote cleaner living. āAs we illustrate IN our report, THE risk of
neurodegenerative disease can BE significantly impacted by individual lifestyle choices, such as by eating nutritious food, staying active mentally AND physically, AND avoiding harmful
pollutants,ā says report co-author Ted Schettler, MD, MPH, AND science director FOR Science & Environmental Health Network. āHowever, these individual changes are not enough.
Alzheimerās AND Parkinsonās disease risks are also heavily influenced by features OF THE family, community AND society as a whole. Public health AND policy approaches are essential for
disease prevention.ā
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(20 Ways TO stay connected)
4691 Stress -- Stress can chronically up-regulate inflammation AND oxidation IN THE body, which can initiate AND promote neurodegeneration. Additionally, inflammation AND oxidative
stress are also associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, lipid disorders, obesity, asthma AND cancer.
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2514 Physical inactivity -- Being sedentary increases THE risk OF brain diseases AND other chronic illnesses, AND it follows that being physically active is linked TO substantial
reductions IN THE risk OF dementia AND Alzheimerās. One study found that subjects who were physically active at least twice a week IN midlife had more than a 50 percent reduction IN THE risk
OF dementia AND Alzheimerās diseases later IN life.
6293 3. Train your brain. Do mentally AND intellectually stimulating activities every day.
2301 Air pollution -- Recent studies show that air pollution is harmful TO THE brain, IN addition TO THE lungs, heart, nose AND blood vessels. This evidence is drawn from studies of
brains OF people living IN highly polluted cities compared with those living IN clean air cities. These studies found evidence starting at young ages OF inflammation AND cellular damage associated
with both early Alzheimerās AND Parkinsonās diseases.
6934 5. BE social. Stay socially engaged with family, friends AND community.
378 Dietary protective factors -- Diet AND nutrition also can decrease THE risk OF neurodegenerative diseases. FOR example, numerous studies IN people show that a high intake
OF omega-3 fatty acids is associated with significantly lower risk FOR Alzheimerās. IN Alzheimerās-prone laboratory animals, a high omega-3 diet started late IN life reduced markers of
Alzheimerās disease IN THE brain by more than 70 percent. THE Mediterranean diet, which includes fresh fruit AND vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, nuts AND olive oil, is linked to
substantially reduced risks OF both Alzheimerās disease AND Parkinsonās disease, as well as dramatically lower rates OF diabetes, vascular disease, recurrent heart attacks AND metabolic
syndrome.
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419 Lead -- Recent evidence links environmental lead exposure IN THE community TO increased risk OF cognitive impairment. FOR example, a recent study OF elderly men found that the
highest lead-exposed group had, on average, an additional 15 years OF cognitive aging compared TO THE lowest lead-exposure group. Several animal studies also suggest that exposure TO lead in
infancy AND childhood may sharply increase THE risk OF Alzheimerās disease decades later. Evidence also implicates lead IN increasing THE risk FOR Parkinsonās disease.
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A collaboration between Greater Boston Physicians AND THE Science & Environmental Health Network, THE report describes substantial emerging evidence that, collectively, environmental factors
alter THE biochemical pathways at THE cellular AND subcellular levels. These biochemical changes fuel Alzheimerās AND Parkinsonās as well as other chronic diseases such as diabetes,
obesity, cardiovascular disease AND metabolic syndrome.
8749 2. Exercise. Engage IN regular physical activity.
2275 Dietary risk factors -- Diet AND nutrition are emerging as critical factors IN brain health AND health IN general. Several studies HAVE shown that higher saturated fat intake
increases THE risk OF dementia by two TO three times. Animal studies also suggest that young rats fed a high saturated fat diet had impaired learning AND memory as adults compared TO rats fed a
diet high IN polyunsaturated fat. A number OF studies also HAVE raised serious concerns that infant soy formula or formulas fortified with THE highest levels OF iron may increase THE risk of
Parkinsonās disease.
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Though genetics do play a role IN developing Alzheimerās AND Parkinsonās, lifestyle AND exposure TO certain chemicals are larger factors IN neurodegenerative disease. THE October 2008
report Environmental Threats TO Healthy Aging, THE most comprehensive review OF environmental risks on brain health, indicates that degenerative brain diseases can start IN THE womb and
continue into adulthood.
6079 4. Minimize your exposure. Avoid harmful chemicals, toxins AND pollutants.
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Environmental threats TO brain health
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(Brain training: 60 Days TO a better brain)
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TO read THE full report Environmental Threats TO Healthy Aging, visit AgeHealthy.org.
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(The anti-inflammatory diet: Foods that heal)
7641 Despite THE age-related risk OF developing Alzheimer's AND Parkinson's, recent research indicates that lifelong exposure TO environmental factors can influence your risk OF developing these neurodegenerative diseases.
Genetics play but a small role
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1100 1. Improve your diet. Eat healthful, nutritious food, AND avoid common hazards IN THE typical modern diet.
5225 Pesticides -- A large body OF data links exposure TO a variety OF pesticides with increased risks FOR Parkinsonās disease. Evidence also links chronic low-dose exposure TO a
number OF pesticides -- primarily IN work settings -- with subsequent cognitive decline, such as impaired memory AND attention. A study IN France found that a history OF occupational exposure to
pesticides more than doubled THE risk OF developing Alzheimerās disease. Exposure TO some pesticides has also BEEN linked TO dramatically increased risks FOR diabetes, prediabetes and
metabolic syndrome.
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(Environmental carcinogens)
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