Q: Dear Ms. Regina, I have a family history of dementia. I am worried I may develop it. Are there any preventive remedies that persons can do to prevent or slow it down?
A: Neither a family history nor a gene linked to Alzheimer’s is a guarantee that you will develop Alzheimer’s or another dementia. However, it does add to your risk factor. It is the same concept of your uncle having lung cancer or your aunty with breast cancer. It will increase your own risk as part of your family history.
Let’s list some of the risk factors: gene; family history of dementia; out of control diabetes; untreated underactive thyroid; prolonged vitamin deficiency such as – D3; B12, B1, B3, B6, (all B’s); untreated depression; head injuries; strokes; unresolved stress, Seizures; yo-yo low fat diets; taking statin medications and uncontrolled hypertension. This is not all but you have a few to start with.
At this time there is no cure for Alzheimer’s nor for many of the other dementias such as Vascular dementia; Lewy Body dementia; Frontal temporal dementia; Parkinson’s and others. There may be many claims to a cure but I have found that these “cures” are more of improving the symptoms and I support that 100%. There are many choices with remedies and lots of research put into reversing the symptoms as well as fighting for a cure. Every person that struggles with memory impairment or has a form of dementia will experience the symptoms differently. Therefore what works for you may not work for me but it will work for another. It is encouraged to get as much information as you can about your diagnosis and/or symptoms.
Here are a few Tips:
None to little memory problems: Eat dried coconut daily or virgin coconut oil; learn something new that you enjoy; eat a heart healthy diet only change bad fat to healthy good fats. (don’t eliminate healthy fat from your diet); eat more eggs; analyze your stress and get rid of what you can while changing your perspective on what you cannot change and find something positive or what can you learn from it. Take care of your mental and emotional being; return to your faith, pray and/or meditate and nourish your soul. Studies show that exercise is beneficial in decreasing risk for developing Alzheimer’s; stay away from toxins as much as possible. Remember that it takes years to develop Alzheimer’s so trying to reverse symptoms that you ignored for years may take time to reverse if at all. Paying attention to your body early in life and following some of these tips will decrease your chances to develop Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
Q: Hello Ms. Regina, My aunt has Parkinson’s and I really do not know what it is other than it makes her move slowly. I heard you mention that it is part of dementia. Can you tell me how it is connected?
A: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It affects the nerve cells that produce dopamine in the brain. Common areas are tremor; slow movement; stiff and inflexible muscles. Other symptoms can include constipation; insomnia; depression; speech and memory problems. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Treatment for Parkinson’s can help relieve symptoms but there is no cure.
It is important to understand that proper diagnose is essential as the tremors and shaking can be the cause of a disease called Essential Tremors (ET). This disease does not affect life expectancy. But it can be disabling for common activities like writing and eating. It is reported that ET does not increase your risk for Parkinson’s disease.
The connection is PD is a neurological progressive disease that has no cure at this time. People with PD do not always experience the symptoms of memory loss but it is common.
Tip: If a person with PD experiences a freezing moment, have them rock side to side shifting the weight from one foot to the other. This may get them moving forward again
Silly joke “My memory is gone Reg, so I changed my password
to “Incorrect.” That way when I log in with the wrong password,
the computer will tell me… “Your password is incorrect.”
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