Alzheimer's disease destroys the brain cells. It's most noticeable manifestation is loss of memory. As it erases your memory, this disease also ruins your capability to think and it alters your behavior so badly that you will find it impossible to do even the most mundane tasks or lead a normal social life, much less enjoy your retirement years. In some patients, this disorder can also bring about language problems and difficulties in separating reality from fantasy.

Inability to estimate the speed of oncoming traffic, deciding whether to stop for a yellow light or slide through the intersection, or becoming confused at a four-way stop sign are some examples of poor judgment while driving. Being slow to make decisions-or making poor ones-when driving can result in accidents that can harm the driver, as well as others on the road.

Diagnosing Alzheimer's can be accomplished by these conducting one or more of these assessment techniques: neuropsychological test battery, Functional Assessment Staging Scale (FAST), patient history, mental status, physical examination, chest X-ray, laboratory tests, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan, ingle Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Scan, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Imaging (MRSI), Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) scan, Electroencephalography (EEG), and Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).

Apple juice as well as green tea was used in various studies and also have ingredients that were shown to improve the brain function in mice. These mice had been genetically engineered to get Alzheimer's disease. The full study will be published in the August issue of the international Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods like salmon, tuna and flaxseed. These fatty acids contain heart healthy fats. In one study from the University of Wisconsin, omega -3 fatty acids were shown to be flammable' inside our bodies. These flames seem to burn off cholesterol raising types of fat. As a result there was a reduction in high cholesterol and heart related problems.

The facts of these studies indicate that starting a preventative healthy eating regimen including omega-3 supplements and following an eating plan rich in fruits, vegetables and other healthy food recommendations can be beneficial to individuals who are in the early stages of Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is a complex disease that is still not fully understood although the world focus has been on it for over 30 years, despite the fact it was actually discovered in 1906 by a German physician, Alois Alzheimer. According to studies, it is advancing age that is the greatest risk to acquiring this awful disease. Unfortunately, the person experiencing the early symptoms of the condition will know something is wrong but won't admit it to others or even to themselves.

Nutritional supplements have actually proven to be very effective in treating the disease and other types of senile dementia. For example, patients who are given daily supplements of coenzyme Q10, iron and B6 have been shown to experience a visible improvement in their normal, daily mental function. Other supplements that have been validated as effective include selenium, zinc and even primrose oil.

Visual / Spatial Impairment: Because of insufficient blood supply and nerve damage to the occipital area of the brain, another early marker is difficulty comprehending visual information. This shows up in an inability to follow and recall visual directions, or in copying or drawing.