The conference started with a sobering prediction of Alzheimer's relentless rise as a health threat. The Alzheimer's Association noted that there are 12 million diagnosed Alzheimer's victims today - if the current rate of incident continues - over 22 million will develop the disease process by 2025. 

Most of the 4000 researchers, doctors and care givers are set against that trend continuing and there was a refreshing trend of co-operation between ancient and modern medicine. All parties realize; finding a cure for Alzheimer's is a distant possibility and lifestyle modification producing prevention, reversal and higher qualities of patient life are seemingly closer in reality. 

One highlight in the lifestyle arena was a report from the John Hopkins Alzheimer's Research Center - illustrating findings that a heart health diet, supplemented with antioxidants Vitamin E and Vitamin C produced discernable reductions in the AD disease development. Vitamin E was far more effective than Vitamin C when tested in isolation. This was an unexpected result and the group reported they were going to continue looking at the role Vitamin E plays - or the counter productive role it plays in the development of the disease. 

Another interesting breakthrough was filed by the University of Kuopio, Finland, regarding those who have the genetic structures (E4 ApoE) that presuppose Alzheimer's - and the role high blood pressure and high cholesterol diet plays in their development cycles of Alzheimer's. The study tracked 1500 subjects over 21 years - finding that those who controlled their blood pressure and cholesterol intake in proper balances were less likely to develop Alzheimer's - in spite of their genetic alignment to Alzheimer's.  

The areas of genetics, blood pressure and high-fat diet have long been suspected as barometers to the disease's process - but these studies add new credibility to the potential of lifestyle, dietary supplements and individual monitoring of personal health can play in living a life free of Alzheimer's. 

There were two interesting reports, one from Quebec's Laval University Geriatric Research Unit and one from the laboratory of Neurosciences in Lisbon, Portugal. The Canadian report studied 6,500 individuals over a five year period  - monitoring their consumption of coffee, wine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - and the member's regularly exercising. A "significant" reduction in the incident of AD was noticeable.  

The Lisbon report was much smaller, with 54 participants drinking two or less cups of coffee a day - projected from a 20 year logistic regression calculation- to show the test group had a lower incident of Alzheimer's than the general population. 

You might think that that coffee and wine reports conflict with the blood pressure reports - but the reality of these drinks in moderation - mixed into a good dietary and lifestyle (activity/exercise) apparently offers promise for higher likelihood of Alzheimer's prevention. 

There will undoubtedly be more coming from this comprehensive event - and individuals interested in living an Alzheimer's preventative lifestyle can find a suggested lifestyle treatment program - as well as extensive information about Alzheimer's at www.medafile.com.