100 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's and Age-Related Memory Loss

Loved this book! It is extraordinarily well written, and it is totally fascinating. There are many very useful reminders on how to stay well, and many new ideas. The way Jean Carper lists all the obviously carefully researched information of the risks to avoid and benefits to seek is so interesting that the book reads better than a novel!
I have purchased copies for both my daughters and am ordering one to give to my sister who is a medical doctor in Europe, and has very much appreciated Jean Carper's book "Stop Aging Now". She will like this one too! I heartily recommend this book to everyone!
This book is very empowering, giving us the tools to prevent Altzeimers efficiently. My husband and I have both benefitted from Jean Carper's previous books and appreciate this one very much.
Isabel and David Taylor

Jean Carper has written a guidebook of practical steps for preventing/delaying the onset of age related mental illnesses such as Alzheimer's Disease. The subject is being flogged by reporters whose frequent references to "Age-Related Memory Loss" and Alzheimer's by name exascerbate fear among those who learn they may carry its genetic link.
One of the suggestions is to eat more berries, easy to do and, even if it does not work, is not harmful. I will recommend this book to my friends and relatives
.

Yes, thanks for this great reference book. I am sharing this with other family and friends. We all need to Prevent any illness that we possibly can and this is one of those boooks that is detailed enough but not overwhelming.
Thanks again.
- L

It provides a lot of good suggestions to prevent alzheimer. In two or three pages per topic it gives the proposal, the scientific reason and the way to follow the advise. It would have been better if the suggestions would have been ordered by field or subject. What is missing is a small section about side effects, in case it has (e.g. the red wine, which is great, is quite bad for your teeth and it could cause a lot of sensitivity).

At last--there are some things we can actually do about Alzheimer's!

The author has done a thorough, careful survey of the latest and best scientific research about the causes and prevention of Alzheimer's, and what the findings imply for all of us.

In clear layman's terms,the book tells you what the top researchers have learned about how to prevent and delay the onset of Alzheimer's. And the suggestions for things you can do to prevent it are just as simple as the title promises.

This book is a ray of hope amidst all the Alzheimer's gloom. I'm sending it to everyone in my family.

For anyone in middle-age or older, Alzheimer's Disease is a major concern. This book shows easy ways to delay its onset, perhaps for years.

If the recommendations in this book can be reduced to one sentence, it might be: Eat Right and Exercise Regularly. Eat lots of deep color berries, like black raspberries, cranberries, plums and strawberries; they are full of antioxidants. Apple juice can boost the brain's production of acetylcholine, just like the popular Alzheimer's drug Aricept. Large doses of caffeine, like several hundred mg per day, may help clean up your brain if you are showing signs of mental problems (people react differently to high doses of caffeine, so be aware of the side effects). If you have cholesterol problems, get it under control, now. Cinnamon gives a boost to malfunctioning insulin, allowing it to process sugar normally. Weak insulin can lead to diabetes, and can damage your brain cells. Did you know that coffee helps block cholesterol's bad effects on the brain, is anti-inflammatory and reduces the risk of depression, stroke and diabetes, which all promote dementia?

Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Fill up your brain with lots of interesting stuff, like education, marriage, language skills, etc. You can actually grow your brain with lots of physical, mental and social activities. If you can join a health club and work out regularly, do it. If going for a walk after dinner is more your speed, do it. Conscientious people are better able to cope with setbacks in life, and can better dodge chronic psychological distress, which boosts risks of dementia. If you are clinically depressed, get it treated, or you are more likely to develop Alzheimer's. Symptoms that look like Alzheimer's can easily be something else (and something easily treatable). Go to a geriatric neurologist and get the right diagnosis, now.

The best way to prevent Alzheimer's is to reduce your personal risk factors, sooner rather than later. No one is expected to do everything in this book. Pick a dozen or so things that you can do every day, and stick with them. Anything that reduces the possibility of getting Alzheimer's, even by a little bit, is automatically a good thing. This book is very easy to read, and it is excellent.

I admit it, the title is what caught my attention. How can a person ‘prevent’ Alzheimer’s if medical science is still not sure what causes it? So of course, I had to stop and pick up the book.

Beginning with the introduction, author Jean Carper is back peddling. “What to do while we wait for a cure”. That should have been the title of the book.

What follows are 100 chapters outlining healthy living. Alcohol usage, vitamins, exercise, keeping an active brain, socializing, etc.

I did not come across anything in this book that is new. The author is relying on information that is already widely available.

Save your money.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle and you can lower your risk, but that is no guarantee that you can “prevent” Alzheimer’s like the title of this book implies.

Jean Carper, the author of "100 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's," has a vested interest in this subject. She and her two sisters "share a single copy of the ApoE4 Alzheimer's susceptibility gene." Therefore, she is passionate about doing whatever she can to protect herself and her siblings. Since so much about Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia remains a mystery, the author warns readers that none of the interventions she suggests is guaranteed to prevent Alzheimer's in a particular individual. Nor does Carper's advice take the place of visiting your physician.

Before writing this book, seventy-eight year old Carper, an experienced science journalist with a particular interest in medicine and nutrition, read hundreds of papers from peer-reviewed journals and interviewed prominent individuals working in the field of Alzheimer's research. She even did a documentary for CNN on the efforts of scientists to find a cure for this much-feared disease. Thirty-five million people around the world are currently afflicted with Alzheimer's and, by 2050, public health authorities fear that this number will grow to 115 million. "100 Simple Things" is a list of possible ways to prevent and postpone "brain changes and symptoms of age-induced neurodegeneration before they become irreversible."

Most people who are conversant with the latest advice on the importance of proper diet, vigorous exercise, and the mind-body connection will not be surprised to learn that the same life-style changes that can prevent heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, may also ward off the symptoms of Alzheimer's. In one hundred concise, lucid, and thought-provoking chapters, Carper lays it all out for us. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, each of us can potentially help ourselves by eating certain foods and avoiding others, exercising, stimulating our brains, reducing stress, and taking supplements that are thought to promote brain function. Watching our cholesterol and blood sugar levels, avoiding infection and inflammation, treating periodontal disease, and eating dark-colored berries and vegetables are all plusses. The good news is that Alzheimer's, in most cases, progresses slowly, and the steps that we take when we are middle-aged can yield long-term benefits. At present, we can do nothing about our genetic makeup, but "even severe pathology is not destiny." Why not get up off the couch, get together with friends, eat foods high in antioxidants, take a brisk walk, learn a new language, and get a good night's sleep? The bottom line is that we have nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking more responsibility for our mental and physical health.

Since I have 5 relatives that died of Alzheimer's, I found this book very welcome. I worry about the genetic implications of having so many family members who have had this disease and this book showed me many simple things I can do to ward of Alzheimers, even though the nasty gene is in the family. There appears that there is a lot we can do to help prevent this dreaded disease.

The author presents the latest scientific research. Some of the things she suggests are the regular diet and exercise tips, as well as simple little things like drinking a cup of green tea, or avoiding pesticides, having a healthy social network, avoiding stress, eating dark chocolate and so on. This book has many suggestions and you can plan your own Alzheimer's prvention strategies by incorporating them into your life. I recommend this book for anyone who has worried about getting Alzheimer's Disease. -- Valerie Lull, Author, Ten Healthy Teas

My dad recently got diagnosed with MCI (mild cognitive impairment) and this book has been amazing with helping me feel less helpless and more empowered. I'm armed with knowledge that my dad's doctors never brought up. For example, we'll be checking to see if he's gluten intolerant, and I'm also going to take him to some art classes to stimulate his brain in ways it's never been used, and he'll be on the supplements suggested. Hope it works!!

Perhaps Jean Carper could have chosen a less 'provable' word than 'prevent' in the title of her book. But that should not prevent anyone, at any age, with an interest in their own health and well being and that of their loved ones, not spend a few hours reading, and noting what Ms. Carper has to say. I was inspired to purchase it when an 88 year old friend of our 'group' (wide range of ages here, I'm 59) exhibited the loss of his short term memory, and had to quit driving in order not to get lost. Statistics show that 50% of individuals over 85 develop dementia, whether Alzheimer's, Vascular, Lewy's, etc. And it is partially due to the actuary tables changing from 71 for men and 78 for women to 81 and 84 respectively; due in large to medicine and working lives that did not resemble their parents during the Industrial Revolution and World War II.

This volume, orderly written in 100 brief chapters, lays the groundwork and the background for anyone who wishes to proceed with Dr. Scott D. Mendelson's 'beyond
alzheimers' book, which succinctly mentions how to 'avoid' the modern epidemic; and then on to 'Preventing Alzheimer's' by Drs. William Shankle and Daniel Amen.
This trio of books will enable the most interest of participants to gather the most out of the 27 years of research devoted to the brain; and how the damage humans inflict upon their remaining bodies via food and drink, obesity, becoming sedentary thanks to television, smoking, untreated sleep apnea, and perhaps not getting professional help when life turns the tables on them.

I intend to continue on with my interest and fascination in this disease that can attack young as well as old, but simply not show it's colors until treatment is a frustrating attempt to live with it. There are books for those of you who are grappling with an ill family member, to possible bring you peace, or simply explain where this curse came from. But these three books, and based on the 27 years of testing they discuss, can help any others approach retirement with a bit more knowledge on how to live out your lives to the fullest.

To those who left negative comments, please understand that the people you lost probably developed symptoms long before they let you know about it, and before drugs like Namenda, Aricept, Exelon, etc., and others that in testing were available. Life, after all, is not a perfect science, and no different than the failure of your joints, eyesight, hearing, and so forth, that marvelous brain of yours is susceptible, too.

Read these books in order. You won't be sorry. You will be enlightened.

John Tierney

As the angry one-star reviewers have mentioned, I don't think you can prevent Alzheimer's if it's in your genes.

However... I do think you can do things to delay the onset of memory-loss. I found this book extremely useful. Carper lays out in clear language the results of 100 studies. At the end of each of the 100 chapters is a "What to do" section if you want to use the results of each study.

I found this book interesting and useful and have implemented some of the recommendations in the book.

An important read. Ms.Carper in a most accesible way gives us some simple steps to keeping our brains sharp and healthy as we age. Perhaps the greatest gift this book gives is an antidote to the fear we as a society have developed that dementia is a universal fate, not true says Jean Carper. Thank you to the author.

if you are worried about getting this dreaded disease, there are easy methods of prevention. Eat more cinnamon, vinegar, fish and almonds, work on balance, meditate, drink apple juice (she called it natural Aricept), learn new things and engage socially. Perhaps the best part are the web links she provides to accomplish these things. She cites studies to explain her writings. There are also tips on preventing stroke. I've typed up my notes to share with my family.

There are a gazillion practical guides for rescuing our aging bodies from decrepitude, but very few books about rescuing our minds from mental decline. Doctors who treat older patients seem to accept age-related memory loss as the norm, and the public has bought into the doom and gloom. It's no wonder - while the media touts the horror stories, no one links scientific evidence with solid advice for prevention.

Jean Carper has provided that missing link with information that is easy to read, easy to understand, and easy to translate into action. (Don't worry, the "Simple" in the title doesn't mean this book is "Alzheimer's for Dummies." It means that Carper's suggestions for prevention involve behaviors readily integrated into our everyday lives.)

As she has in her previous books, Carper draws upon current studies by the country's most reputable scientists and research institutions. That's the "why" of her book. More interesting - and in some cases, startling - is the "how." Yes, I already knew that exercise might help. But chocolate? Marriage? Google?

"100 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's and Age-Related Memory Loss" - a title surely designed to test the keenest of memories - is a must read. Not only for me, as I worry about losing words along with my car keys, but for my grown children, who worry about me!

Jean Carper follows the old adage "Keep it simple sweetheart" People have been hungering for ways they can reduce their risk of getting Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. However many people do not want to do complex things. So here it is, a book that lists 100 things anyone can do to prevent these mind robbing diseases without a great deal of effort. Simple really. Thanks Jean for making it simple, clear and consise and also extremely readable.
by Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-a great book for those who have dementia. It is also a great resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals

Carper's book is full of helpful hopeful information that you just can't stop reading. Her research seems impeccable and the suggestions she makes are doable at
any age. It doesn't make extravagent promises, but you have the strong feeling that
the more of these simple things you put into action, the better chance you have of warding off this dread disease.

People are hungry for information on ways they can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's. Carper gives, in an easy way to digest, 100 simple things you can do. All of them are backed with research. Easy to read and easy to follow. Great that someone has done the digging and put all the information together in a small but powerful book!

This is a fabulous book! It gives the reader, like me, who has been terrified about getting dementia some day, not only the WHAT to do to lessen her chances of getting it but the WHY. There's research backing up every suggestion in the book. And most suggestions ARE simple to act on, as the title says--I've already added several to my daily routine. I plan to give the book to several of my friends who are likewise concerned about dementia affecting them some day and who will be immensely cheered to know there's a lot they can do right now to postpone that day (maybe for good).

Great book. Collection of many ideas and I no longer use the computer to look things up- it's all hear.
Defiantly recommend even if you are having slight problems- preventative medicine never hurts.

terrible really, generalised diluted health information is never going to prevent this disease.
Carper says caffeine of 5- 6 cups of coffee could do the trick and -wha hey- even remove brain plaque--but if you can't handle the caffeine then try ...decaf!!? what kind of contradicting nonsense is that? Not to mention the secondary deleterious effects of excess stimulants...Cannot see one reason to waste money here.

My husband was a 3rd Generation dementia victim. He was the picture of health. You might say he was a workaholic; a committed beekeeper after retirement from a steam generating electrical plant. He ate right was on no meds; had no problems health-wise. He read bee books and the newspaper. He could play poker or bridge. He did not drink or smoke. He did take some vitamins (Shaklee)like B Complex and Vita E.
One day it all started. He was 72 and began losing his cognitive skills. A tiny pencil looked like the match he was trying to use to light his smoker. Then it was the gadgets on the dash of the car. He began to get frustrateed and angry. I'm sure he knew what was happening. His Dad and Grandfather both
had it only later in their lives.
The rest is a terrible experience to recall. He had behavior problems but was no danger to anyone. My heart goes out to all the caregivers who have to deal with this tragic issue in the life of their loved one.

At first I thought this title was a whimsical attack on such nice little earners as '120 Ways to Keep Christmas Simple' and so forth. However, it's not and so I read the negative reviews to see what was up. The conclusion is that no amount of apple juice or cryptic crossword solving will prevent this sinister and revolting disease from attacking you if it has your number.Instead, donate the price of the book to a dementia research group which might, just might find a key to closing the down this scourge.

100 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's and Age-Related Memory Loss Go to John's Hopkins Univercity put Is Alzheimer's preventable in the search and check out page 14 of the document. Summary Alzheimer's is not Preventable. Never mind here is the link
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Ms. Carper has so little knowledge about the nature of Alzheimers, and her claims that it can be prevented is totally deceiving and grossly erroneous. My wife has alzheimer's, and there was little that she could do to prevent it. As a third generation alzheimer's victim, she was very health conscious, and despite all her attempts of avoiding this disease, she became a victim. Any writer who claims that it is preventable is spreading false hopes and sells that hope in order to support herself.

If you want the truth about Alzheimer's read Sandra Day O'connor's New York Times Op-Ed (10/27/2010).

"It attacks rich and poor, white-collar and blue, and women and men, without regard to party"
"Experience has taught us that we cannot avoid Alzheimer's disease by having regular medical checkups, by being involved in nourishing relationships or by going to the gym or filling in crossword puzzles. Ronald Reagan suffered the ravages of this disease for a decade despite the support of his loving family, the extraordinary stimulation of his work, his access to the best medical care and his high level of physical fitness."

Anyone who buys this book is proving the old adage that a fool and his money are soon parted.

Nobody knows what causes Alzheimer's and until we do we cannot prevent it.

It is common sense to eat right, exercise, etc. But none of this will prevent Alzheimer's!

There must be a very special place reserved for anyone trying to profit off of people's fears by peddling such lies.

Anyone who has actually lived with someone with Alzheimer's Disease and has been involved extensively in the Alzheimer's community, is well aware that NOTHING WILL PREVENT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. You can live on a Mediterranean diet, clean your teeth, exercise, keep your brain active, and there is no doubt you will be healthier. But if you are going to get Alzheimer's Disease, you are going to get Alzheimer's Disease. It is a non-reversible, fatal, brain disease. Some are more genetically prone to it than others, but it is a non-discriminatory disease. If keeping mentally alert prevented Alzheimer's Disease, then my Ph.D astro physicist friend would not have gotten it; my engineer friend who designed patents that were used in space missions would not have gotten it; Judge John O'Connor would not have gotten it. My husband would not have gotten it. The list of health conscious, highly intelligent people who have gotten Alzheimer's Disease is endless.

Ms. Carper has done a disservice to those people desperate to ward off the 21st century's "black plague" of Alzheimer's Disease. Her advice will not PREVENT Alzheimer's Disease. Nothing will prevent it.

Another misconception is that it is a disease of the elderly. It is not. More and more people are being diagnosed in their 50's; some as early as age 40.

I would suggest a better title for her book would be 100 Simple Things You Can Do To Be Healthier.