NIH: No Proven Way to Prevent Alzheimer's

(CBS)  It was discouraging news for seniors who hoped they could exercise, make diet changes, or stay mentally alert enough to ward off Alzheimer's disease.

CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews reports a panel of experts at the National Institutes of Health reviewed the science and bluntly concluded there is no proven way to prevent or even slow down the onset of Alzheimer's.

"There really isn't a lot that we have to offer right now for therapies that can prevent this disease," said Dr. Evelyn Granieri, chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Aging in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. "We think that other people need to know this."

The panel was especially tough on supplements like ginko biloba or fish oil - with one panelist calling them garbage, and the others saying they just don't work.

"The evidence is inadequate to conclude that any are effective," said Dr. Donald Silberberg, of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.

But while those are the facts, some groups called the message too negative. The Alzheimer's Association, which still touts "brain healthy diet" as a prevention strategy, says most current research does link heart disease and hypertension with the increased risk of Alzheimer's.

So even if you can't prevent Alzheimer's, the group says a better diet and healthy heart improves your odds.

"Reduction of your risk of heart disease in middle life even in late life, can help you reduce your risk of cognitive decline," said Maria Carrillo, Director of Medical and Scientific Relations, Alzheimer's Association.

Even the experts who say you can't prevent Alzheimer's agree a better diet could lower the chance of getting it. A family doctor summed it up by saying: don't take the blueberries away from Grandma.

[acr804]

the NIH has Alzheimer's. (or a selective memory) ... or... no drugs for Alzheimer's therefore no cure.
The message they are putting out is very sad- People should not be discouraged from pursuing a healthy lifestyle- in fact we need to realize and change our thinking - stop defining certain choices as "healthy" but as NORMAL.
Feel empowered eat some more veggies today! :)

[jodi233]

Consume marijuana and you will not get alzheimers or cancer. US govt. has a patton on it while continuing to keep the herb illegal and big pharm in business at our expense.

[baileyccc]

This report like all reports is propaganda of Big Pharma. That is the only reason the press report on it. The people of India who has a 1% change of getting this terrible disease use turmeric daily in their diet. This never gets reported in the press. Big Pharma will not stop until they get control of the internet and they are working on it daily. posted by baileyccc

[kenhamlett]

Turmeric !!!

[stn_sage]

As long as billions of dollars are made by drug companies for drugs they peddle that don't work,
or for treatments that don't work and office visits,
You can BET...NO cures will be forthcoming!

Because the FACT of the matter IS: huge amounts of money are made by a few because of disease, illness, and disorder! For those elements, the profit is in the PROBLEM, NOT the solution!

Guess which will continue to flourish?!

[kenhamlett]

You saved me a lot of typing. Thanks for a realistic comment.

[armyoftwelve]

Actually, the best way to prevent Alzheimers is to DIE YOUNG!

[pollroller1]

Dang, I forgot what I was going to say.