Epidemic of obesity, high stress may contribute to Alzheimer’s

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KUALA LUMPUR: The epidemic of obesity, insulin resistance, high saturated fat diets, stress, and environmental toxins are all leading to a high inflammatory state and may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease as a long term effect.

President of the Australian College of Anti-Aging Medicine Dr Nathan Francis said many people nowadays were not focused on a healthy lifestyle as they believed in the existence of magic pills or tests, for early detection and cure.

“The public feels we got magic pills, but we don’t. Remember that prevention is better than cure, therefore, rather than waiting for magic pills, they should go for exercise to lose weight and also learn to handle their stress by doing yoga or even pray.

“Women are facing a higher risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease compared to men as they are lacking in the testosterone hormone. In fact, busy lifestyles nowadays also put typical women in stress, exhaustion and they’re just too tired once they finished their work in the office and return home,” he said.

He told Bernama this after giving a talk at the 9th Malaysian Conference and Exhibition on Anti-Aging, Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine and 2nd International Congress on Anti-Aging, Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine (Malaysia)(SAAARMM) at a hotel, here, yesterday.

Dr Nathan said the number of diagnosed patients had increased by about two-fold every year and that there were about 4,000 new cases diagnosed for Alzheimer in the United States every week.

“Alzheimer’s disease always happens to the people at the age of sixty and above due to the lack of exercise, not having enough mental stimulation or brain exercises and even not doing ballroom dancing or crossword puzzles.

“People have to be active persons and giving brain stimulation by praying, going for a walk and listening to relaxing music may reduce their stress level,” he said.

Alzheimer is a disease whereby people tend to forget simple things such as people’s names, appointments and even their daily routine as well as to manage themselves as normal people.

Meanwhile, International Research Group of Applied Preventive Medicine Clinic and Research Laboratories, Vienna, Assoc Prof Dr Claus Muss, who gave a talk entitled ‘Impact of Lifestyle and Nutrition on Chronic Neuro-degenerative Diseases said the variety of foods available today are influenced by human lifestyle.

Dr Claus said balanced nutrition may result in a balanced system in their bodies that will protect them from diseases.

SAAARMM president Prof Dr Selvaraj Subramaniam said the purpose of this conference was to update the public on the latest advances in Anti-Aging, Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine with proper evidence-based knowledge for a safe practice in this new field. — Bernama