Now my mother, who is now 90, lives alone in the home she loves, but is alone and lonely. In the past year her memory has deteriorated rapidly although her health remains. She may repeat herself four or five times in a ten-minute conversation and doesn’t remember if I called yesterday. Sadly, she recognizes that she can’t remember anything and that makes it even more frustrating for her. It is sad to observe and being totally impotent to help.
Last year we took her to a memory clinic where she was tested, and they started her on a medication which hasn’t shown much improvement. She still drives and has a few people looking in on her to make sure she is taking her medications and taking care of herself. But it is only a matter of time when she will need to have someone move in with her to drive her to the post office, shopping and assist with ADL’s (activities of daily living).
My parents had a great life together for 67 years and both had longevity in their families. My father’s sister is 104, with no mental decline. Their aunt lived to 110! My mother’s mother and aunt both lived to be centenarians. I guess I’m lucky in that respect.
However, there are no definitive tests for Alzheimer’s and certainly no treatments – allopathic or alternative medicine. MRI studies combined with neurological and cognitive exams can rule out other causes of dementia, but only point to Alzheimer’s disease. But dementia is dementia regardless of what the definitive diagnosis is.
And since there is no treatment for Alzheimer’s currently, we need to focus on PREVENTION of dementia. There’s always so much discussion on a “cure for this” or a “war on that” that most miss the point. Most people forget it’s “more expensive to put the horse back in the barn, than keep him there.”
So, what can we do to prevent dementia and other degenerative diseases?
This approach is one we all need to be following to achieve good health. There are five factors of good health that may require a change in lifestyle:
Rest
Exercise
Attitude
Nutrition
Health Care
For this brief article, we’ll discuss some of the nutritional changes that would be beneficial for overall health.
Detoxification is the first step in the process. That means stop consuming toxic foods and drink. Avoid white foods – sugars and refined starches, soda, processed foods, chemical additives and preservatives. These foods compromise your immune system and your health.
The next step is to eat only natural, free-range proteins, vegetables, fruit and grains low in lectins. Lectins are inflammatory proteins in most grains. They are also present in nightshade family foods: tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers.
I have been doing my best to prevent dementia by following these guidelines. I also take supplements prophylactically. The following supplements are important for the health of your brain and your body: Fish oil for EPA/DHA, Vitamin D3, acetyl-L-carnitine, phosphatidalserine, Bacopa monniera, Vinpocetine, Huperzine, and magnesium threonate.
I don’t recommend running out to purchase these supplements. It’s always best to see a professional to insure you are making appropriate changes and taking proper supplements. There is no guarantee that this will prevent dementia, but it will make you healthier!
Dr. Bill Rice has been in practice since 1977, as an acupuncturist, chiropractor, and nutritional consultant. He currently practices in Palm Beach Gardens.
For more information, call Dr. Bill Rice at: 561.439.6644 or email drbill@writeme.com