Winter Cold and Flu Prevention Can Also Help Prevent Alzheimer’s

Posted by Sherry C. on Monday, December 3rd, 2012

As the days become shorter, we find our immune systems assaulted by a variety of nasty cold and flu bugs. During these short, colder days we need to take strong preventative measures to help boost our immune systems.

Many of the tactics we need to employ to combat the cold and flu season apply to Alzheimer’s prevention as well. The steps you take now to help combat short term illness should be continued throughout the year to help protect your body against long-term illnesses such as Alzheimer’s.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants can be found in a variety of plant foods such as oranges, strawberries, blueberries, and spinach and are powerful agents of illness prevention.

Vitamins A, C, E, and selenium are particularly beneficial for combating the cold viruses, warding off the effects of aging when combined with other healthy activities such as yoga, and have been shown to help stave off Alzheimer’s. A recent study conducted in Germany and reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s tested 74 Alzheimer’s patients with 158 healthy controls. The study found that the Alzheimer’s patients had much lower levels of Vitamin C and beta-carotene (an antioxidant that is a precursor to Vitamin A). Researchers also studied the affects of other antioxidants and found no difference between the two groups.

Part of your Alzheimer’s prevention strategy should include regular consumption of these top ten antioxidant-rich foods. We are always touting the benefits of preparing fresh juices and smoothies, but again, this is one of the best ways to get an antioxidant boost each day.

Here is a recipe for a tasty smoothie that includes antioxidant-potent blueberries, oranges, and spinach:

Antioxidant Smoothie

Vitamin Supplements

Vitamin supplements can compliment a healthy diet to make sure your body can provide strong defense against viral attacks and disease. To help prevent Alzheimer’s we specifically recommend supplements containing vitamins C and A.

Sleep

Sleep is another essential component to optimal health. The winter months can put a lot of stress on your body as you navigate the crowds to shop for loved ones during the holidays, tie up loose ends toward the end of the year, and your immune system fights off the never-ending onslaught of viral attacks. Your body needs more rest than ever.

Short term, sleep can help your immune system stay strong or help you fight an illness if you happen to succumb to illness, it also has the long-term affect of optimal health. We function in daily, highly stressful situations that can compromise our immune systems, and something as simple as rest has been shown to help protect against illnesses ranging from the common cold to Alzheimer’s.

For more easy to follow nutrition advice check out The Alzheimer’s Diet: A Step-by-Step Nutritional Approach to Memory Loss Prevention and Treatment, or visit theadplan.com to learn more about Neurologist, Dr. Richard Isaacson's 9 week diet plan and his cutting edge approach in the fight against AD in Alzheimer's Treatment | Alzheimer's Prevention: A Patient and Family Guide 2012 Edition. Also, sign up for the newsletter to get the latest updates in AD treatment and prevention news.