My mother (age 79) recently fell and hit her face. The doctor did a CT scan. I cannot get much info out of my parents about the results of the scan; the only thing they will say is that my mother has "hardening of the arteries" in the brain. There is nothing they can do about it as it is a natural aging process. I was wondering if the Memory reVitalizer could help her. She seems to be more forgetful lately.
Thank you for the question. Memory reVITALIZERJ was designed as an adjuvant to the FDA pharmaceuticals in 1999. Over the last six years we have noticed that it seems to help restore brain activity toward health. Thus we now try to encourage anyone over 50 that wants better memory (about 4-6 weeks), energy (usually over a week or two), and keep a healthy brain. Federal rules do not permit supplements to say that actual illnesses are treated/cured/or prevented. Nevertheless, if one has a health brain it would follow that one might not get a diseased brain.
But on to your mother. Yes, I strongly suspect that Memory reVITALIZERJ in the full dose of 6 gels per day would show benefits over 4 6 weeks.
Concerning the fall and CT scan and hardening of the arteries; the most likely diagnosis is Alzheimers disease (about 87% chance). Here one would want to consider an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. My favorite of these is Exelon, but the most commonly used is Aricept. To this one should add an NMDA receptor blocker --- namely Namenda. Of course, I would add Memory reVITALIZERJ to this mix.
Hardening of the arteries should mean cerebral atherosclerosis, or multi-infarct dementia. This would generally have a history of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. If this is the case, one might want to add a half of an adult aspirin per day. Again I would suggest Memory reVITALIZERJ to the mix.
The fall would make one wish to consider Parkinsons disease, which can have memory problems associated with it. Here the characteristics are tremor of the hand (sometimes head), the abnormal gait (with falls), the rigidity (slow movements). The diagnosis is best made by the physical exam. In addition to the anti-Parkinsons drugs, I would also suggest Memory reVITALIZERJ in full doses.
Of course there are other possibilities, but these are most likely.
IN addition to the above, I would strongly suggest that your mother began taking vitamin D3 at a dose between 1,000 2,000 IU per day. It is inexpensive and effective. However, recent studies show that the commonly used Citracal is too low in dose. There is more about this on www.MemoryreVITALIZER.com if you search the site. Incidentally, the vitamin D3 is also available through the website.
Hope this helps.
If I take reVITALIZER how long will it be before I see effects?
Some effects may never be "seen". Because our goal is to prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer’s Disease, your best effect is what you don’t see. If you don't see Alzheimer’s Disease or any hint of Alzheimer’s Disease (senior moments) at the age of 65 or 70 its working. A study from 2004 showed that 2 of the components in reVITALIZER decreased the probability of getting Alzheimer’s Disease over 5 years by 78%.
Other not seen benefits include the heart attack or stroke you didn't have. Various components in reVITALIZER have been shown to decrease risk of cardiovascular events and strokes by more than 50% inside four years. By comparison, lipid lowering drugs such as Lipitor decrease the likelihood of heart attack by 4% over 10 years.
Positive side effects of increased memory and energy are seen by most people who take reVITALIZER. These effects can be seen as early as 2 weeks but more typically in 4 to 8 weeks. Again it is subtle. People report fewer incidences of the "where are my keys, where is my wallet" syndrome. AlzCorp has designed memory instruments to measure subtle improvements in memory. The company hopes to begin protocols in this in 2006.
My father is end stage Alzheimer’s Disease in a nursing home who cannot walk and has to be fed. He's in diapers and has some skin breakdown. Should I buy a bottle of reVITALIZER for him?
reVITALIZER astonishingly does have benefits for such a patient. However, you have described end-stage Alzheimer’s Disease which would require a nursing home or its equivalent, an MNDA memantine, a choinesterase inhibitor such as rivatigmine, and Memory reVITALIZER.
When I was the director of a nursing home for two years I used this combination with remarkable results for most patients. Examples would be reversal of feeding needs, improved mentation with recognition of family, and ability to carry on limited conversations that were linear and logical. Additionally some components in reVITALIZER have been shown to be protective against the flu and other infectious maladies. All in all, reVITALIZER adds to the care and is a supplement. It is not the principle means of treatment for end-stage dementia. .
They have my mother on sedatives and she's worse.
On April 12, 2005, the FDA issued a "Black Box" warning against all brands of atypical major tranquilizer. Their research confirmed that such drugs in elderly demented patients significantly increased the likelihood of death from a number of causes. Drugs included in this are Zyprexa, Geodon, Risperdal and Seroquel. All of these drugs are derivatives of Haladol.
At our clinic in Albuquerque we have pioneered the use of propranolol in the control of agitation, disruptive verbalization and violence. Fifteen years of experience has shown that it is more troublesome to get the correct dose of propranolol but it is safe and effective. The company is working to encourage other physicians to utilize this approach as well.
I've heard that the standard medicines for Alzheimer’s Disease don't cure it.
The field of medicine rarely has cures for diseases. Even antibiotics only assist your body in curing the pneumonia. Your body ends up doing the work. Likewise digitalis does not cure heart failure. The treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease are safe and effective and benefit the patients as well as the families. The company encourages people to seek these treatments for their loved ones. Those who would discourage their use are giving false despair.
What are the chances that I will get Alzheimer's as I get older?
The risk of Alzheimer's disease increases with each decade, beginning with age sixty. In the sixties, the incidence is about 10%, with 1% of those being severely affected. By age eighty-five, 40% experience dementia, while those experiencing some level of memory impairment is estimated to be as many as 60%. 58% of people in assited living facilities have memory problems.
What causes Alzheimer's disease?
The cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown. There are several theories that are currently being explored. It appears that there will be several different causes that result in the condition specifically identified as Alzheimer's disease.
One theory was described by Dr. Summers and announced here.
I have heard that Alzheimer's disease is inherited. Is that correct?
In a small number of cases (less than 2,000) a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease has been established. This is a tiny minority. Common to about two-thirds of those cases is the presence of certain types of protein called "Apo E genotype proteins". The presence of type four ("Apo E4") seems to be an indicator of higher incidence and earlier onset of Alzheimer's disease. In summary, however, the majority of Alzheimer's Disease cases
are not genetic.
When should help be sought?
As soon as any memory difficulties are noticed, it is essential that help be sought. Early intervention affords the best results.
Some would say anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure, history of sever head trauma or cardiac diseases are destined to have Alzheimer's when they age. So they should consider Memory reVitalizer.
Are there any specific tests for Alzheimer's disease?
There are now eight potential laboratory tests to assist the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Specifically these tests are
- CSF Amyloid ß 1-42 protein
- CSF Tau protein
- CSF AD7C-NTP
- CSF P-97
- Brain ADAP
- Presenillin 1 Genotype
- Presenillin 2 Genotype
- Apo E4 Genotype
The first three of these tests are available to ordinary patients, but require a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to obtain cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). The latter five are still experimental and not yet available. Another test, Urine AD7C-NTP is available as a convenient urine test; however, we have found the results of Urine AD7C-NTP to be very unreliable. At the present time it is not productive to do
any of these tests outside of a research study.
What genetic tests does AlzCorp recommend?
At the present time, we recommend only Apo E genotyping. It is a simple blood test that is affordable ($300 - $400), and the test gives useful information for one's relatives. It is not a test that allows the doctor to diagnosis an individual as having Alzheimer's disease. The results simply give an index of one's chances of getting Alzheimer's.
What is the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia?
Dementia is a broad label for all chronic memory problems. There are over seventy specific causes of dementia, of which Alzheimer's disease is but one. In other words, the following comparison can be made: "Alzheimer's disease" is to dementia" as "Honda Accord" is to "automobile".
So Alzheimer's is a subclass of Dementia. Honda Accord is a subclass of Automobile.
Is it important to find out what type of dementia a person has?
Absolutely. Some forms of dementia, such as those caused by low thyroid, are completely treatable. We find if a person is poorly repsonsive to treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, that a full diagnostic work up ($3-5,000 of tests) is merited.
I have heard that you cannot conclusively diagnose Alzheimer's disease until autopsy. Is that correct?
NO, this statement is incorrect. The accuracy of a diagnostic work-up for Alzheimer's disease approaches 95%. This percentage is actually greater than the likelihood of accurately diagnosing most medical conditions, including heart disease.
What about aluminum? I have heard that it causes Alzheimer's disease. Should I get rid of my aluminum cookware?
For the most part, this rumor has been squelched. Aluminum does not cause Alzheimer's disease. The ancient Romans did not use aluminum cookware, but they suffered from Alzheimer's disease.
Aluminum, a heavy metal, is usually prevented from entering the brain by a submicroscopic membrane called the "blood brain barrier". In Alzheimer's disease, this barrier is damaged, allowing aluminum to enter the brain. So, the aluminum in the brain of an Alzheimer's patient is a result of Alzheimer's, not a cause.
How is the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease made?
The characteristic history of an insidious, progressive memory loss gives a 50% chance of Alzheimer's disease. After that, a series of blood tests need to be done. Cardiac tests would start with the standard EKG. Then one or more radiographic tests need to be performed. AlzCorp further recommends a battery of serology tests for viruses and bacteria. Any positive tests would then result in further testing. In the end, the diagnosis has about a 95% certainty.
Do the diagnostic tests cause pain or suffering?
Medical diagnostic tests are inconvenient and uncomfortable. Drawing blood is painful to some. However, most patients find that the assurance of proper diagnosis and better treatment is worth the inconvenience.
Are there treatments for Alzheimer's patients?
The FDA has currently approved three drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's - Tacrine (marketed as Cognex), donepezil (Aricept) and rivastigmine (Exelon). Dr. Summers, the President and CEO of AlzCorp, discovered and developed the first of these - Tacrine.
I have heard of Motrin and other anti-inflammatory drugs being used to prevent and/or treat Alzheimer's disease. Should I start Motrin?
No, please do not start a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) for prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This is experimental. The NSAIDs used on a long- term basis have serious adverse effects, such as internal bleeding. In a memory- impaired patient, it is possible for the patient to bleed to death before the problem is reported to the caregiver.
Recent evidence has shown NASAIDS can cause kidney and heart problems when used over time.
What about antioxidants?
This is an excellent question!! There are many probable causes of Alzheimer's, and all of them result in oxidative injury to the neurons (brain cells). It is becoming abundantly clear that antioxidants, which cross the blood brain barrier, have a role in the prevention of Alzheimer's. Dr. Summers has recently
made an announcement about this here.
What is a good antioxidant supplement to consider?
AlzCorp has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and resources in the research, development, and formulation of an antioxidant supplement for the general aging population. One result of that work is our daily supplement called "Memory reVITALIZER", which is manufactured for the AlzCorp.
Can patients with severe Alzheimer's disease be treated with reVITALIZER?
Yes. Of course, the effectiveness of treatment is decreased as treatment is delayed or if the patient is in the latter stages of Alzheimer's disease. Nonetheless, treatment can still give modest improvement. I Love You, Too, Woodrow Wirsig's book of love for his wife in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease, records the progression of the disease as well as the effectiveness of the treatment.
