Why Our Parents and Grandparents are Coming Down with Alzheimer’s (and other dementias too) Will We Be NEXT?
(8 minute read)
At social events, from church to ballgames to cocktail time, stories of our children and parents seem to bubble up in every conversation. Oftentimes, the brain condition of our parents weasels its way into those discusses. And understandably so, since 1 in 9 human beings age 65 and older suffers from some form of dementia. The statistics are even grimmer for those 85 and older, a whopping 1 in 2.5 are drowning in it!
As a society, we are now facing our third generation of Alzheimer’s and other dementia with no cure. We are seemingly helplessly watching it vacuum away the minds and lives of our loved ones. Many of us have buried grandparents who were scourged by the disease, and several see our parents slipping away. When we experience the brain fog, poor balance, and exhaustion of those senior moments, we worry that we might succumb to it too.
By studying global populations for an answer, we encounter the healthy Blue Zones around the world.
Dan Buettner, in an article he authored in National Geographic Magazine, revealed certain areas in which the elderly live to be 80, 90, or even older than 100, with strong minds and bodies, then finally die of old age. How do they do it, while our own parents and grandparents in a supposedly well-nourished nation cannot remember our names or whether or not they took their medication this morning? We can glean–learn a lot from the unifying characteristics of the people who live the longest in those Blue Zones:
- They eat no processed, packaged foods.
- A large time between meals is part of their routine, their daily experience. Mostly they go 12-16 hours a day NOT eating.
- Sitting still is not part of their daily routine either; they are constantly active, exercising their bodies and minds.
- Along with getting plenty of sleep, stress is not in their lives.
- They enjoy a sense of community and are committed to their families, friends, and a life purpose. This, in turn, helps them remain active and plays a vital role.
Closer to home, some folks exhibit these same characteristics, albeit not the nutrition aspect, yet they slowly sink into the abyss of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. What, then, is the problem?
In search of the root cause of why some succumb while others do not, nearly 200,000 published studies, representing years and years of scientific research, have been conducted on Alzheimer’s.[1] These studies indicate that dementia is not a normal part of aging. On the contrary, it is an actual disease, and it can be stopped and even reversed in most cases. The only way to stop disease is to discover and halt the root cause, so we must begin with a basic understanding.
What is dementia?
Simply put, dementia is the death of a significant number of brain cells, specifically neurons and their connecting cells, the synapse, which leads to cognitive impairment. Other supporting cells, the glia, die as well. The fatality of these cells causes the brain to malfunction, and we experience cognitive impairment. Ultimately, because the brain cannot function as intended, it cannot communicate properly with the organs, thus the body begins to shut down and we face total body death. In a nut shell: brain cells die causing our cognition and bodies to become weak, impaired and ultimately non functioning.
What is cognition?
Cognition is defined as our ability to think, feel, and act upon new information (“oh I love your new hair cut”), to process thoughts and take or make physical actions based upon those thoughts (“curb coming lift leg”). That is voluntary cognition. Breathing, heart beating, digestion are involuntary cognition. (For a list of the 8 main voluntary cognitive skills which are the first to subside when dementia percolates in our brain, click here.)
What causes dementia?
Dr. Russell Blaylock, a neurosurgeon, neuro-research coordinator, health practitioner, and lecturer, was one of the first to put the pieces together. When it comes to the root cause of brain cell death, he cites three main culprits:
- cell starvation, when nutrients and hormones cannot be delivered to or absorbed by the head brain;
- immunoexcitotoxicity, or super-hyper inflammation and
- a combination of both of the above.
There are several triggers to this starvation and super-hyper inflammation, I’ve grouped them into seven based on the findings of Drs. Blaylock and Dale Bredesen. Dr. Bredesen was the first physician to publish a solution for the reversal of cognitive impairment. This knowledge, combined with studies and theories of other doctors (Drs. Edward Group, Datis Kharrazian, Thomas Lewis, Charles Gant, Alessio Fasano, Sidney MacDonald, Tom O’Bryan, Tom Suit, Raphael Kellman, David Perlmutter, Mark Hyman, Elizabeth Boham, Frank Lipman, Drew Ramsey, Ann Hathaway, and many others) can lead us to some long-sought answers about dementia.
The following are these seven triggers, experienced separately on occasion but mostly in combination; they are the leading causes of brain starvation and super-hyper inflammation in the brain:
The 7 Triggers to Alzheimer’s and Other Types of Dementia
- toxins collected and stored in the brain
- lack of nutrients
- serious and long-term infections
- trauma, high ACE score, stress, depression
- historical, consistent lack of sleep
- no cellular energy
- giving up on the challenge to age healthfully
Considering the wide array of causes, it is no wonder that there is not one magic pill or miracle cure to rid the world of dementia. That said, just as there are multiple causes, there are multiple, and combined, methods to reverse Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Cross-referencing these triggers with key lifestyle factors in the Blue Zones, where dementia does not seem to be a problem, we begin to understand why our parents and grandparents are afflicted with the disease. Not only that, but we can also determine where we are in terms of probability.
For ways to discover your susceptibility to these triggers and advice on fighting them, even reversing their effects, which are the early symptoms of dementia, let’s talk. You can enjoy, long-term, good brain health as you age and NOT fall into dementia, Alzheimer’s.
As a former Dementia Healthcare Administrator having managed three dementia lock down facilities, my help was to no avail. I hit the research books trying to answer the all encompassing dementia question of why…why do some live to 100 with a sharp mind, why are the symptoms of dementia patients so varied, why are there no cures? With years of continuous neurodegeneration research and much schooling I am a Dementia Practitioner as well as a Master Certified Health and Wellness Coach specializing in dementia prevention and REVERSAL. My education pride is my official training from Dr. Dale Bredesen, the first MD who, under scientific study and clinical trials, reversed cognitive impairment of 109 of 110 individuals, YES reversed Alzheimer’s.
Following Dr. Bredesen’s protocol, I provide individualized, personal plans of action so you or a loved one can restore precious memories, regain brain energy and have good brain health. Actually, it is not just a plan but an individualized, detailed protocol system. We follow 9 steps, a ‘map’ if you will. Click here to view the map.
Click here to schedule a FREE 15-minute telephone appointment. There is no cost to you. We’ll talk for 15 or so minutes, you give me your story, or the situation of your loved one, along with the symptoms, and together we can see how to get the brain in gear and make sure NOT to fall into dementia/Alzheimer’s.
Right now? It may not be the right time. But let’s stay in touch; know I am available if you ever need me. To help you though, take advantage of free membership to
my Brain Health Revolution. As a member, you will receive a few times each month some quick facts, tidbits, checklists and notes of interest on how to enjoy a healthy, strong brain and how to prevent dementia. You can also receive more detailed information on the triggers listed above, including my ebooklet 9 Signs You Are Experiencing Brain Drain and How to Keep Your Brain Fully Charged to Ward Off Dementia. Get the booklet and join The Brain Health Revolution here.
Helping you keep your memory, enjoy good brain health, and age successfully, I look forward to communicating with you again!
The purpose of this information is to convey knowledge. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your condition or to be a substitute for advice from your main healthcare professional. Sincerely, I wish you and yours the very best in brain health. www.JanetRichPittman.com
[1] Pubmed.com, National Library of Medicine Database
Interesting info. My mother has dementia (83 YO) and my dad is now showing signs as well (78 YO).
They were exposed to processed foods and sugar but not sure what impact.
She’s had multiple strokes that have contributed.
Thx Janet. Hope all is well
Stoney
Thanks for your comment Stoney. Sorry about your parents, not much you can do except make sure it does not happen to you. Peace!
Thanks, it is very informative
Elisa Fleischer, So glad you enjoyed this! I’d love to give you more! Please be a member of The Brain Health Revolution where I email you an article on good brain health, a couple of times a month. Join here: http://janetrichpittman.com/about/#BHR
Janet
Thanks for your comment and for reading up! Check out my other blog articles here
There is definately a great deal to know about this topic. I like all the points you made.
Hello and thank you for reading and for your reply. And I am so glad you found this article and I am so happy to meet you. If you would like more info, view my website, http://www.JanetRichPittman.com and surely take a look at all my ‘brain health articles’ on my blog/magazine site On The Brain here. Surely, please join my subscription service, The Brain Health Revolution where I will email check lists, articles, quick videos, latest on medicines and key dementia related brain issues, email these a couple a times a month, like 3 to 4. I too am sick of SPAM and everyone trying to sell me something, so I WILL NOT share your info or bombard you with sales. Learn more and join here. Again, thanks for reading, share it too please! Thanks for helping me get the word out!
Hey Myrtle, Thank you for reading and for your reply. And I am so glad you found me, I am so happy to meet you. If you would like more info, view my website, http://www.JanetRichPittman.com and surely take a look at all my ‘brain health articles’ on my blog/magazine site On The Brain here. Surely, please join my subscription service, The Brain Health Revolution where I will email check lists, articles, quick videos, latest on medicines and key dementia related brain issues, email these a couple a times a month, like 3 to 4. I too am sick of SPAM and everyone trying to sell me something, so I WILL NOT share your info or bombard you with sales. Learn more and join here. Again, thanks for reading, share it too please! Thanks for helping me get the word out! Janet
Etsuko, Hello and thank you for reading and for your reply. And I am so glad you found me, I am so happy to meet you. If you would like more info, view my website, http://www.JanetRichPittman.com and surely take a look at all my ‘brain health articles’ on my blog/magazine site On The Brain here. Surely, please join my subscription service, The Brain Health Revolution where I will email check lists, articles, quick videos, latest on medicines and key dementia related brain issues, email these a couple a times a month, like 3 to 4. I too am sick of SPAM and everyone trying to sell me something, so I WILL NOT share your info or bombard you with sales. Learn more and join here. Again, thanks for reading, share it too please! Thanks for helping me get the word out!
Hey Katharina, what a lovely name. Hello and thank you for reading and for your reply. And I am so glad you found this article and I am so happy to meet you. If you would like more info, view my website, http://www.JanetRichPittman.com and surely take a look at all my ‘brain health articles’ on my blog/magazine site On The Brain here. Surely, please join my subscription service, The Brain Health Revolution where I will email check lists, articles, quick videos, latest on medicines and key dementia related brain issues, email these a couple a times a month, like 3 to 4. I too am sick of SPAM and everyone trying to sell me something, so I WILL NOT share your info or bombard you with sales. Learn more and join here. Again, thanks for reading, share it too please! Thanks for helping me get the word out! Janet
Tobias, Hello and thank you for reading and for your reply. And I am so glad you found this article and I am so happy to meet you. If you would like more info, view my website, http://www.JanetRichPittman.com and surely take a look at all my ‘brain health articles’ on my blog/magazine site On The Brain here. Surely, please join my subscription service, The Brain Health Revolution where I will email check lists, articles, quick videos, latest on medicines and key dementia related brain issues, email these a couple a times a month, like 3 to 4. I too am sick of SPAM and everyone trying to sell me something, so I WILL NOT share your info or bombard you with sales. Learn more and join here. Again, thanks for reading, share it too please! Thanks for helping me get the word out! Janet
Jesenia, That is a beautiful name! Thanks for linking up and reading up. If I can every help you, please contact me, http://www.JanetRichPittman.com. And too, if you would like more information, please join my Brain Health Revolution where I will email check lists, articles, quick videos, latest on medicines and key dementia related brain issues, email these a couple a times a month, like 3 to 4. I too am sick of SPAM and everyone trying to sell me something, so I WILL NOT share your info or bombard you with sales. Learn more and join here. Again, thanks for reading, share it too please! Thanks for helping me get the word out! Janet