For years the medical community has made the connection between the cardiovascular system and the brain. A healthy cardiovascular system, which means normal blood pressure and a healthy ratio of HDL and LDL cholesterol, makes you more likely to be brain smart. This means eating a healthy, balanced diet of lean proteins, multi-grains carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and using a fat like olive oil. Along with this kind of meal plan, exercise helps to reduce blood pressure by releasing stress hormones and keeping the cardiovascular system pumping to oxygenate the brain. In addition to how you can improve your physical health as well as improve the odds against getting Alzheimer’s, a study published in the November 2007 issue of the The Journal of Clinical Investigation, conducted by Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, has identified an ingredient in a common blood pressure medication which can potentially help prevent the buildup of beta-amyloid production in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. This will prevent the cognitive decline which reduces life quality both for the sufferer and his family.

The study cites the success in its experiments with laboratory mice and has observed positive results in humans; however, in humans rigorous clinical trials need to be conducted beyond observing patients. “If we can deliver certain anti-hypertensive drugs to patients at high risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease, at doses that do not affect blood pressure, these drugs could be made available for all members of the geriatric population identified as being at high risk for developing Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Pasinetti. The key issue is to isolate the chief ingredient in lowering blood pressure for patients at high risk for Alzheimer’s who have a normal blood pressure.

This ingredient is the anti-hypertensive agent Valsartan. Other anti-hypertension drugs with beneficial results included Propranolol HCI, Carvedilol, Losartan, Nicardipine HCI, Amiloride HCI and Hydralazine HCI. Ask your doctor about it!

This is an exciting approach which needs more testing in humans as well as calibrating the right dosage. In the meantime pay attention to your lifestyle and think Mediterranean:

• Get out into the sunshine
  
• Walk to your destinations
  
• Express your emotions and stop suppressing your feelings
  
• Get together with friends and family
  
• Eat fish, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, a little red wine
  
• Cultivate a sunny disposition which sheds stress
  

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For more information on Alzheimer's prevention please read my book, Changing Habits - The Caregivers' Total Workout, in particular Chapters 11, 12 and 13. To listen to archived radio shows with guest experts visit Turn On Your Inner Light Radio Show