Mary is a 70-year-old retired teacher, much loved and respected by her learners. Sharp and witty, she was organised and competent. She had a gift for remembering the names of her students.
Recently, friends and family noticed she was battling to find words in conversation and kept repeating herself. She began to lose her keys and cellphone, putting them down in strange places.
She often dressed inappropriately for the weather and began to lose her way on her walks and in the shops. What was more concerning was that she would put food on the stove and then forget it, resulting in burnt food and a real risk of starting a fire.
At times, she would become agitated, blaming others for stealing her money and jewellery; meanwhile, she had misplaced them.
She became more withdrawn and unsociable. Her doctor confirmed what the family suspected: she was developing Alzheimer’s Disease.
One of the most devastating diseases affecting our senior citizens is dementia. Worldwide, the incidence is rising.
In South Africa, various studies have shown an incidence between 4-11,0% over the age of 60.
Major contributors to this rise are atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, alcohol, smoking, physical inactivity, social isolation, deafness, and depression.
The most common presentation is Alzheimer’s Disease, accounting for 60-80% of cases.
Although genetics plays a part, lifestyle factors are far more important than genes and can influence gene expression.
Pharmaceutical researchers are struggling to find effective therapy to prevent or treat dementia. Approved medications are expensive and not without side effects.
A recent study published by Dr Dean Ornish confirmed that intensive lifestyle interventions can arrest and even partly reverse early Alzheimer’s disease after only 20 weeks.
Neurologists Drs Ayesha and Dean Sherzai of Loma Linda University in the USA have done years of research on Alzheimer’s in the USA.
They have come up with a simple acronym for preventing dementia. N is for nutrition (a whole-food plant-based diet), E is for regular exercise, U is for unwind – stress management, R is for restorative sleep, and O is for optimising our lives through social contact, learning new skills and living with purpose.
Their research is published in The Alzheimer’s Solution, with practical guidelines on implementing the NEURO lifestyle. We can make a difference.
Dr Dave Glass
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