Preventing Alzheimer's Disease
I watched the TED Talk "What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's" by Lisa Genova. I chose this video because after learning the statistics about this debilitating disease in addition to how little there is you can do for it, I thought learning more about how to prevent it would be the best alternative to treatment - you don't have to treat a disease if you never develop it! That's exactly what Genova talked about! She went into detail about what is believed to be the main cause of Alzheimer's disease on the molecular level, which is a gradual accumulation of amyloid plaques in the synapse space between two nerve cells. This gradual accumulation is asymptomatic until the synapse is completely blocked and the two neurons can no longer communicate with each other any more. Once this level is reached, symptoms appear and rapid degeneration occurs.
Genova went on to explain how strong of an effect genetics and predispositions can have, but that lifestyle choices and healthy habits are extremely effective at counteracting those influences. Alzheimer's can appear in anyone, but we all have the ability to protect ourselves and develop Alzheimer's resistant brains. All you need to do is consistently get a good night's rest, adopt a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and use your brain! Commit to being a lifelong learner and your brain will become its own shield. This is because when you challenge yourself to learn or try new things daily, your brain is actively creating new pathways in your brain for neurons to communicate through. So when amyloid plaques begin to accumulate and block communication between neurons, there will be an abundance of alternative pathways available!
I loved this TED Talk and learned a lot about this disease! I have heard over and over again all the benefits of eating healthy and living a balanced life, but from now on, I'll be sure to emphasize the importance of adopting these habits in order to protect your brain! As a future OT practitioner, what I learned from this video will help me educate my client's about Alzheimer's and, more importantly, what they can do to prevent it.
To check out this video, head over to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG4mr6Jov0 and learn how to protect the most important part of your body!
Genova, L. (2017, May 19). What you can do to prevent alzheimer's [video]. TED. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG4mr6Jov0
Genova went on to explain how strong of an effect genetics and predispositions can have, but that lifestyle choices and healthy habits are extremely effective at counteracting those influences. Alzheimer's can appear in anyone, but we all have the ability to protect ourselves and develop Alzheimer's resistant brains. All you need to do is consistently get a good night's rest, adopt a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and use your brain! Commit to being a lifelong learner and your brain will become its own shield. This is because when you challenge yourself to learn or try new things daily, your brain is actively creating new pathways in your brain for neurons to communicate through. So when amyloid plaques begin to accumulate and block communication between neurons, there will be an abundance of alternative pathways available!
I loved this TED Talk and learned a lot about this disease! I have heard over and over again all the benefits of eating healthy and living a balanced life, but from now on, I'll be sure to emphasize the importance of adopting these habits in order to protect your brain! As a future OT practitioner, what I learned from this video will help me educate my client's about Alzheimer's and, more importantly, what they can do to prevent it.
To check out this video, head over to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG4mr6Jov0 and learn how to protect the most important part of your body!
Genova, L. (2017, May 19). What you can do to prevent alzheimer's [video]. TED. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG4mr6Jov0
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