IWU Environmental Wellness: The Safer Path

Environment Threats to the Aging Brain
by Laurine Brown
Can the devastating diseases of the brain associated with aging, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, be prevented? A new report Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging gives us hope that genetics (which we cannot change) plays a minor role in most cases. Far more important are environmental factors (which we can change), like exposure to toxic chemicals and air pollution in addition to a nutrient-poor diet, inactivity, and socioeconomic stress. The authors conclude that “it is highly likely that for many people… Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, can be delayed or prevented altogether.” That's great news.
The extensive report is the first to synthesize hundreds of studies from diverse fields - medicine, public health, toxicology, ecology, and more. It provides evidence of a compelling pattern of harm - from womb to grave - whereby environmental factors alter biochemical pathways down to the cellular level, including nerve cells. We know exposures early in life to toxins like lead, or nutrient deficiencies, can harm a child's developing brain. Similarly, these events throughout the lifespan can injure the aging brain. Cell damage is fueled by inflammation and oxidative stress. The result is like a wound inside the body, hidden from view, with heat, pain, redness, and swelling. When damage accumulates, neuro-degenerative disease can result. Not surprisingly, these factors also fuel other chronic diseases - the “Western disease cluster”, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
Fortunately there is much we can do to avoid these health problems. But we must be willing to address environmental influences on health, sometimes called “ecological medicine”. Just as a valley is shaped by the elements - like wind and water - so are we shaped by the elements of our environment - toxic exposures, diet, activity, culture and more. Solutions to “aging with grace” lie in a clean, nourishing environment. Here are four simple but profoundly important tips, and why they matter for brain health:
1. Stay out of Harm's Way. Do what you can to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals at home, in schools and in the workplace. Find safer substitutes to: pesticides for yard and home; metals such as lead during remodeling and mercury found in old thermometers and some vaccines; toxic solvents in glues, paints, varnish and degreasing agents; and hormone disruptors like bisphenol A (BPA) which leaches into food and beverages from the lining of tin cans and polycarbonate plastic bottles. Examples of Harm? Lead: a recent study of elderly men found that the highest lead-exposed group averaged an “additional 15 years of cognitive aging” compared to the lowest lead-group. Several animal studies suggest exposure in childhood may sharply increase the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's decades later. Pesticides: Many studies link a variety of pesticides to Parkinson's disease. Compelling evidence of workplace exposures to chronic, low dose exposures to pesticides is also implicated in impaired memory and attention; e.g., in France, exposed workers had double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Exposure to some pesticides has also been linked to dramatically increased risks for diabetes, prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Air Pollution:. Recent studies of people living in polluted compared with cleaner cities found evidence, starting at young ages, of inflammation and cellular damage associated with both early Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, in addition to harm to lungs, heart, nose and blood vessels. Other environmental agents of concern in the report include BPA, aluminum, industrial emissiions, solvents, PCBs and electromagnetic fields.
2. Eat Well. As a general rule, eat mostly fresh plant-based foods (like deep green and orange vegetables and fruits, legumes like lentils, whole grains like oatmeal, and foods high in omega-3s like fish, walnuts, and flax). Generally avoid fast, processed and packaged foods (especially cookies, cakes, chips, crackers and refined cereals) which are often laden with saturated, hydrogenated, and trans fats, sugar and refined carbohydrates. And don't eat too much. Examples of harm? High processed foods in the American diet fuel inflammation in the body, in part because they lack the nutrients like “antioxidants” needed to mop up oxidative damage. Several studies found higher saturated fat intake increased the risk of dementia by 2 to 3 times. Serious concerns were also raised about infant soy formulas fortified with the highest levels of iron as a potential risk factor for Parkinson's disease. Examples of protection? Many studies show that high intakes of omega-3 fats are greatly reduce risks for Alzheimer's. In animals, omega 3's reduced markers of Alzheimer's by more than 70%. The Mediterranean diet - which includes fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, nuts and olive oil - is linked to reductions in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
3. Move. Try to incorporate physical activity into daily life wherever possible. Aim for at least an hour of brisk walking or similar activity over the course of a day. If unable, do what you can. Examples of Protection? Exercise is linked to reduced levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory burden, and substantial reductions in the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. One study found that people who were physicall active at least twice a week in midlife had more than a 50% reduction in these conditions later in life.
4. Socialize and de-stress. Stay active with family and friends and volunteer community work. Avoid social isolation which is a risk factor fo dementia. Calm down by re-connecting with nature through a simple walk outside, yoga, and mindful meditation. Examples of protection? A five year study of over 6,000 elders found that high social networking and engagements reduced cognitive decline by 39% to 91%, respectively. Psychosocial stressors are linked to pro-inflammatory cytokine production which is linked to cognitive decline and dementia. But stress management programs show promise for reducing this, and other ailments in the Western disease complex.
Aging begins at conception. Act now to protect yourself. Learn more in the full report at www.agehealthy.org, including key policies needed to help protect the environment that shapes our health.

Adapted from:
Stein J, Schettler T, Rohrer B, Valenti M. “Environmental Threats to Aging: With a Closer Look at Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases.” Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and Science and Environmental Health Network, 2008/ @ www.agehealthy.org/;
Stein J, Schettler T. “Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases.” The Huffington Post, March 25, 2009 @ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jill-stein-and-ted-schettler/reducing-the-risk-of-alzh_b_179256.html; and Montague P. “The Jigsaw Puzzle of Environmental Health: A New Picture Emerges.” Rachel's Democracy & Health News #1000, February 26, 2009 @ http://action.psr.org/site/DocServer/Rachel_s_Democracy_and_Health_News_ETHA_review_-_Peter_M.pdf?docID=8281.