Yes, I am a Baby Boomer and among the thousands of Americans who’s worst fear is developing Alzheimer’s disease as I age. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia (memory loss) that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Typically, symptoms develop slowly and get worse over time. Eventually they interfere with your daily life. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. People with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after becoming symptomatic yet can live up to 20 years depending on their age and overall health. There is no cure at the moment but researchers are working hard to improve treatment options and find a cure.

Recently I read a report that suggests Alzheimer’s can be a form of diabetes of the brain. This discovery may lead to new disease-modifying treatments that could make a positive impact in the lives of those suffering from Alzheimer’s. It also leads me to wonder if what we eat can make an impact. Nutrition feeds our bodies and our brains so it only makes sense to do our best to eat right for life so as to hopefully stave off illnesses such as Alzheimer’s.

I also think that living in “fear” is not healthy. If you can be proactive by eating right, exercising and taking the best possible care of your body and brain, then you know you’ve done your best to hopefully avoid, or at least minimize, the impact of diseases like Alzheimer’s. So eat right for life, exercise daily (even if it’s as simple as taking a walk), meditate or pray daily and keep a positive attitude (that’s the most important).

Be Present, Be Purposeful, Be Well