While speaking at a caregiver presentation recently in partnership with a local company providing respite care, I learned that a growing percentage of their clients were suffering from Alzheimer’s.

As a result, they are committed to getting every one of their caregiving employees certified in Alzheimer’s care. A very laudable response to a growing concern nationwide.

At foodtalk4you, we have been addressing the topic of inflammation – from an anti-inflammatory diet to discussions about how to lead an anti-inflammatory life – because inflammation has been shown to be the first domino to fall in just about every disease and condition.

Sugar is pro-inflammatory, we know this, but how does that translate to everyday life and a motivation to consume less?

Consider recent studies from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, demonstrating the link of high sugar consumption and high-blood glucose levels with the development of Alzheimer’s.

Yikes!

Many factors are contributing to the upswing of people with Alzheimer’s – the aging population, better methods of diagnosing, and lifestyle choices – but the spread of western fast food and pre-packaged foods – all high in obvious and in hidden sugars – have spread around the world.

The growing understanding of the relationship between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease is shedding light on practical prevention strategies. Eating fewer sugary and highly-processed, carbohydrate-rich foods, staying physically active, and exercising regularly may help reduce risk.

Meanwhile, researchers are investigating therapies that target cellular damage associated with elevated blood glucose, offering hope for more effective treatments in the future.

With an eye toward keeping your brain as healthy as possible, imagine the benefits of preventing high-blood glucose from becoming a long-term concern. What small changes might you make today?

And what if we helped our children and grandchildren develop healthier habits from the start by offering fewer sugar-laden foods and more nutrient-dense choices?

I read a message recently that went something like this: We manage thousands of concerns every day until our health is threatened. Then our health becomes our only concern.

Good health is a gift worth appreciating and protecting.

The perfect moment to make positive changes rarely arrives. Small steps taken today can add up over time, helping us improve our health and preserve it for the years ahead.

Leaving my computer to head for an indoor track to get some exercise out of this heat! Stay safe and drink plenty of fluids.

In health –

Deidre