If you have known someone who has suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, you know just what a cruel disease it can be.  For the patient and for their loved ones. Luckily, there is some hope for even this terrible illness, and it comes from natural healing foods.

I recently returned from my mother’s funeral. Alzheimer’s wasn’t responsible for her death, but it was responsible for making the final years of her life (and the last four or five years of her husband’s and family’s lives) much more difficult than they might have been. And, sadly, my family’s case is not, of course,  an isolated one.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that more than 5 million Americans suffer from the disease.  This is more than10 percent above earlier estimates.  What’s more, this number could triple in the next decades.  Look ahead about 20 years, and 7.7 million people could develop Alzheimer’s. By 2050, the number could be as high as 16 million.

Don’t forget to add their family members to those numbers to get a more accurate perspective on how many people will actually be affected by the disease.

Medical research is, of course, studying the Alzheimer’s, but while we wait for improved treatments from the medical community, there is some hope on the “natural front.”  A recent study has found that strawberries contain a nutrient that might be able to protect the brain from Alzheimer’s and even improve memory.

Strawberries contain the nutrient fistein, which is high in antioxidants that can help protect the brain from both oxidation and the degeneration that leads to memory loss and other Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. Fistein has been shown to improve the mental functioning of mice and to help with memory storage.

Natural-health advocates believe the best way to benefit from Fistein – to protect the brain and nervous system from degenerative disease — is edible plants. The “medicinal ingredients” in plants are not just natural, they also require no prescription and are easy to obtain. You can improve your health simply by eating.

An easy way to start adding strawberries to your diet is with a strawberry shake.  Just blend 2 cups of milk, a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a cup of frozen strawberries until smooth, and you’re done.

When you’ve had your fill of strawberry shakes, consider apples, grapes, peaches, tomatoes, onions, oranges, and kiwi. All of these are good sources of fistein to add to you diet.

There are many, many things in our lives and our health that are beyond our control. Genetics, for example, play a big role. The important thing is to focus on what you can do:  Educate yourself and make a plan to do the best you can to work with what you have.

When you make that plan, make diet your first step.  It’s the most obvious and best way to make a difference in your health; new connections between diet and health are discovered every day. The connection between strawberries and Alzheimer’s disease is one example, and one that should be pretty painless for most anyone to implement.

Image by Jeff Kubina from the milky way galaxy via Wikipedia

DISCLAIMER
This information is not a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before using or taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested here. Only your health care provider, physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.