| As people enter their middle years, they start to | | | | At present there is no known cure for Alzheimer's |
| notice more and more frequent lapses of memory, | | | | disease. Scientists are racing to learn the cause, or |
| particularly their short-term memory. | | | | causes of Alzheimer's, and to find a way to stop the |
| They may enter a room to do something, and forget | | | | destruction of the brain once it starts. |
| what it is. They may be unable to recall the name of | | | | There is some evidence that people who have a diet |
| someone who used to live next door. And they may | | | | high in antioxidants have lower rates of getting |
| start to worry that their forgetfulness is not just a | | | | Alzheimer's. Fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly |
| harmless incident, but the first indication of something | | | | those that have strong, bright colors tend to be high |
| far more sinister-the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. | | | | in protective antioxidants. |
| Alzheimer's is the name given to a very serious brain | | | | People who consume greater levels of cold water |
| disease in which brain cells are killed by microscopic | | | | fish such as salmon, tend to have lower rates of |
| plaques and tangled fibers. The parts of the brain | | | | Alzheimer's. There are also vitamins, minerals and |
| crucial for laying down and accessing recent | | | | herbal supplements that seem to have a protective |
| memories are usually destroyed first. Brain cell | | | | effect on the brain. Higher intakes of Folic acid are |
| destruction spreads to other parts of the brain, | | | | associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer's |
| causing progressive loss of function. Death eventually | | | | disease. |
| follows. | | | | |