More evidence to support my minimalist approach when it comes to taking supplements. I am not opposed to supplements but to the belief of many that diet can be ignored and magic pills relied upon to prevent disease. Those who believe this justify the approach by saying that all soils are depleted, and it is not possible to obtain healthy vegetables anymore.

Pure fantasy.

Whole foods have many components in them that are currently recognized as beneficial to health. While it is possible to identify some of the more important constituents, it will be many generations before we understand diet enough to provide supplements that are fully equivalent to whole foods. The largest missing link is the energy component in foods, which I wrote an article on earlier this year. Please review my article from last issue for details on how to tell if you have too much iron in your system.

Earlier studies have provided convincing evidence of the importance of whole foods in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. It is likely that the antioxidant capacity of whole foods is one of the major mechanisms by which they are beneficial. However, relying on a supplement to provide this benefit is frequently a non-effective approach.

I have recently learned that one of the most potent influences on the creation of free radicals is excess iron. Iron is needed by one-third of the world as an essential nutrient, but for the other two-thirds it can be a toxic poison. So if you are a non-menstruating woman or an adult male, it is highly likely that iron is your enemy, not your friend, and should be avoided in any supplemental form.

Iron is also one of the strongest biological toxins because of its ability to react with oxygen to form reactive oxygen species. Excess iron will generate the most potent free radical in the body called hydroxyl radicals. Once these radicals get loose, they wreak pure havoc in the body and destroy everything in their path.

So one of the most effective strategies is proactive prevention. Rather than relying on having enough antioxidants on board to fight the free radicals, it makes much more sense to prevent the production of free radicals in the first place. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure that your iron levels are not elevated, as previous studies have shown that excess iron accumulation in the brain is a consistent observation in Alzheimer's disease.

Other preventive options follow:

• Exercise is a very potent way to ward off Alzheimer's. Previous research showed the odds of developing Alzheimer's were nearly quadrupled in people who were less active during their leisure time between the ages of 20 and 60 compared with their peers. That is one of the reasons why I have been exercising for the last 34 years and, God willing, hope to continue for another 50.
• Getting the mercury amalgams out of your teeth is another effective strategy along with avoiding aluminum -- these are the classic recommendations.
• Following the nutrition plan and eating plenty of fresh vegetables with high folate levels.

The key to treating Alzheimer's is to make sure you never get it. So, just how do you prevent Alzheimer's?

• Avoid and remove mercury from your diet
• Take adequate amounts of fish oil
• Avoid aluminum, as in antiperspirants, cookware, etc.
• Exercise for 3-5 hours per week
• Eat 15-20 pounds of vegetables per week
• Avoid flu vaccinations
• Active with your mind

Related Articles:

Alzheimer's Epidemic is Coming

Early Alzheimer's Treatment Can Cut Costs

Antioxidants Can Prevent Your Mind From Rotting, But They Need to Be From Food