Ayurvedic Tips for Alzheimer’s disease

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE Ayurvedic Tips

Although memory loss can be generally easily identified, it is also most commonly attributed to Alzheimer’s based on the age and history. Accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is only done post death by microscopic examination of the brain.¹

Some tests are done to estimate the disease in the living, these are¹ -

• Physical and neurological exam^: This is performed to check the overall neurological health and reflexes¹
• Lab tests: Tests for blood help rule out other causes like thyroid disease and nutritional deficiencies.¹
• Mental status and neuropsychological testing: Detailed testing for mental functions may be performed.¹
• Brain imaging: This helps identify neurological conditions like a stroke, trauma or tumors — that may be responsible for memory loss.¹

Diet Recommendations (Aahar)

Alzheimer’s disease is an outcome of the ageing process. Diet should be aimed at slowing the aging process and nourishing the nervous system.

Dry vegetables, meat, sesame, germinated cereals, pulses should be used in diet.

Avoid our, saline, pungent and alkaline food items. Also avoid contradictory food, unwholesome and Abhisyandi (those which obstruct the channels of normal circulation) putrid and stale food.³

Lifestyle changes (Vihar)

Activities that accelerate ageing should be avoided. These are - day time sleep, sexual enjoyment and heavy alcohol intake etc. Those who expose their physique to the strain of irregular and excessive exercise and those who are subjected to excess of fear, anger, grief, greed, infatuation and overwork are also having risk of premature aging.³

Some asanas that are helpful are as follows -

• Suryanamaskara:

It is a whole body exercise and is particularly helpful because it encourages you to breathe deeply and rhythmically.

• Pranayama

Paroxysmal gamma waves produced in brain during the Bhramari Pranayama which is associated with positive thoughts, feelings of happiness and acts as a natural antidepressant.