Seminar Offers Tips to Ward Off Alzheimer's

The first in a planned series of Lunch and Learn seminars at in Madison spotlighted ways to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease.

"Keeping our brains healthy is the best way to prevent Alzheimer’s," said Angel Duncan, Program Director for Senior Helpers of Madison, a private provider of in-home assistance services.

For the 10 women gathered for "Sustain Your Brain," Whole Foods provided pizza and dessert and Duncan shared what to eat and do to prevent Alzheimer’s.

Number one on the list were dark-skinned fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts high in omega-3s, the latter of which was given to attendees in a goodie bag. Duncan, a licensed therapist and dementia expert, also recommended exercise for the body (walks or light weight lifting) as well as the mind (Sudoku or crossword puzzles). She also added that studies have shown a link between depression and Alzheimer’s, recommending positive social interaction as well.

"I was surprised to hear about the link between spices and health," said Sue Preis of East Hanover, referring to a study that looked at how diet and health may be linked isolating the memory enhancing properties of cumin.

For Elaine Hoffman of Berkeley Heights, it was the fact that vitamin B-12 can help prevent Alzheimer’s, as well as getting the specifics of why nutrition and exercise play a role in health.

"I have never heard that exercise grows brain cells. I knew that it brought oxygen to the brain but I didn't realize it actually helped that much," said Hoffman, who does yoga.

Whole Foods Marketing Team Leader Kerry Brumbaugh hopes to continue the series with more information for adults.

"I want to focus on adult learning and adult needs," said Brumbaugh. "People need to be empowered."

 Senior Helpers is run by Madison native Wayne Sarrow, who started his business after his mother's Alzheimer's-related death in 2006.  Sarrow said about 50 percent of his clients suffer from dementia.