The home remedies found below will help you avoid some of the suspected causes of Alzheimer's disease, and can be easily located in the average household.
Baking soda. A great home remedy, or substitute for store-bought toothpaste, is a mixture of baking soda and powdered salt. And it doesn't have the aluminum that's found in many commercial toothpastes. To make the mixture, pulverize salt in an electric coffee mill, or spread some on a cutting board and roll it with a pastry rolling pin, crushing it into a fine sand-like texture. Mix 1 part crushed salt with 2 parts baking soda; then dip a dampened toothbrush into the mixture and brush teeth. Keep the powder in an airtight container in the bathroom.
Meal supplements. These meal-in-a-can beverages are easy to drink, and they're fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Seeds. Pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds are great snacks -- they're packed with essential fatty acids, necessary for brain function.
Sesame oil. Ayurveda, a holistic system of medicine from India, recognizes the benefits of sesame oil. Depression associated with AD may be relieved with nose drops of warmed sesame oil -- use about 3 drops per nostril, twice a day -- or by rubbing a little warmed sesame oil on the top of the head and bottoms of the feet.
Vinegar. An all-purpose home remedy, Vinegar, can help serve many purposes. When AD patients become incontinent, vinegar can help with hygiene. Clean the genital area thoroughly with equal parts vinegar and water. For a homemade deodorant (many store-bought brands contain aluminum), combine equal amounts of water and vinegar. Dab lightly under the arms. This will not stop perspiration, but it will control odor. Cider vinegar can help relieve itchy skin. Add 8 ounces apple cider vinegar to a bathtub of warm water. Soak for at least 15 minutes.
Wheat germ or powdered milk. Add to foods for extra protein.
From the Refrigerator
Blueberries. New evidence suggests that blueberries contain an antioxidant that may slow down age-related motor changes, such as those seen in Alzheimer's disease.
Bottled water. Because tap water may contain aluminum and other impurities, bottled well or spring water may be a better option. Call your water company to ask about getting a water analysis; you may choose to install a water filter, as another option.
Carrots. Eating carrots, which are loaded with beta-carotene, is a safe way to acquire vitamin A through the diet. Without sufficient vitamin A, nerve health and even memory can suffer. It's best, however, to keep it natural -- taking vitamin A supplements may lead to toxicity. Other vitamin A-rich foods include spinach, squash, bell peppers, liver, whole milk, and eggs.
Citrus fruits. These fruits are loaded with vitamin C, an antioxidant that is believed to help protect brain nerves. Berries and some vegetables, including peppers, sweet potatoes, and green leafy vegetables, are also rich sources of vitamin C.
Fish. Fatty acids are important for healthy brain function, and fish is high in fatty acids (that's why it's often called "brain food"). It's a good idea to put fish on the menu at least twice a week (more often is even better). Good choices include salmon, sardines, lake trout, anchovies, and light tuna. Be aware, however, that some fish -- especially shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish -- contain high levels of mercury and should be avoided.
Dark green leafy vegetables. Spinach, kale, swiss chard, and other "leafy greens" are high in folic acid, which may stimulate cognitive function. Other good sources of folic acid include beets, black-eyed peas and other legumes, brussels sprouts, and whole-grain foods. Additionally, research from the Netherlands suggests that people who eat large amounts of dark green, yellow, and red vegetables may reduce their risk of dementia by 25 percent.
Orange juice. Drinking a glass of OJ is another way to increase your vitamin C intake -- just don't combine it with buffered aspirin. Taken together, aspirin and orange juice form aluminum citrate, which is absorbed into the body five times faster than normal aluminum.
Soy products. Studies suggest that isoflavones found in soy protein may protect postmenopausal women from AD. Try soy milk over cereal, soy meat substitutes, and tofu frozen treats. And substitute tofu for ricotta or cream cheese in recipes. Dietary guidelines suggest 20 to 25 grams soy protein a day.
