WANT A MEMORY UPGRADE?
Learn about the risk factors for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s, and find out what you can do to decrease your risk and even upgrade your memory. There is good news! There are things we can do to ward off developing dementia-related conditions.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and includes the opinion of the author. Information is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or disease. It is simply information found through experience and/or research. Always follow the directives of a licensed health professional. Neither Anita Bastian nor the publisher of the information takes any responsibility for actions readers take in regards to how they use or perceive the information. Readers are encouraged to do their own research.
Are you concerned with the memory lapses you are starting to have? In 2021, it was estimated that there were 6.2 million people in America living with dementia. I used to be concerned about developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, because I used to struggle with debilitating brain fog and fatigue. Both of these things are potential early indicators of dementia. Praise the LORD, there are now so many wonderful ways to support brain function and overall health that my concern about this has melted away.
I firmly believe that if people take steps now, they could avoid becoming a dementia statistic or at least improve their quality of life. Read on to learn more.
One of the biggest hurdles, I believe, is the mindset of many people. Unfortunately, many people believe that genetics is mostly to blame when it comes to developing dementia, so they feel that there is nothing they can do about it. Or they believe that once you are diagnosed with it, that’s it. It’s downhill from there. This makes me sad. It doesn’t have to be this way.
“The national average cost for memory care in the United States is $6,935 a month,” according to seniorliving.org. The price may be higher “depending on the level of care needed.” A local friend recently learned that advanced memory care for his mother in southwestern Minnesota was going to be $9,200 per month! You could do a lot of supplement programs to support better brain and overall health for that price! When you also consider the poor quality of life that settles in with dementia, it becomes even more costly to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Below is a list of dementia or Alzheimer’s risk factors you may find when you do an online search:
1. Aging
2. Genetics
3. Gender (Women are twice as likely to develop dementia.)
4. Metabolic factors
5. Lifestyle
6. Loss of sense of smell
Let’s do a little deeper dive into each of the above risk factors.
Aging. Does aging have to equate to demise of brain function? We all know sharp 80, 90, and even 100- year-olds. How come many of our grandparents seemed to have their scruples until the very end of their lives? Why are people developing dementia now in their 50’s and 60’s? Is aging really to blame?
Genetics. The idea that dementia is genetic is not fully proven. We certainly hear in the media that it is genetic, but is this actually true? Environmental factors play a huge role in increasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Pesticides, toxic metals (like mercury from dental work), and herbicides (like glyphosate, which is now estimated to be in over 70% of our food supply), are all neurotoxic. Neurotoxins can impair brain function. The more toxins that accumulate over the years, the greater the risk of memory issues. What causes the gene mutations that are associated with dementia? Is genetics truly the cause of dementia, or is it toxins that are causing the mutations in our genetic material? It’s something to think about. It’s one of those things that make you go, “Hmmm.”
Gender. Bummer, ladies! This is not good news for us! Apparently, women are twice as likely to develop dementia as men. Why is this? As with many things, it is not really understood why women are more susceptible to developing dementia. One thing that comes to mind is that women generally do the cleaning. If they are using conventional cleaning supplies, they are exposing themselves to a plethora of toxins by breathing them in and by absorbing them through their skin. Many ladies also use many lotions and potions that are loaded with toxins that can make their way to our bloodstreams, which travels to our dear brains. Once we realize these toxins are in us, we need to do two things. We need to support our bodies with the tools they need to get the toxins out of our cells and tissues, and we need to begin swapping toxic products for more toxin-free alternatives.
Metabolic Factors. To me, metabolism is at the heart of the function of our brains and our bodies. Many researchers even call Alzheimer’s Type 3 Diabetes, indicating that it is a metabolic disorder. Our metabolic system is a symphony that involves neurotransmitters, hormones, enzymes, bacteria, and electrical signaling that seek to help us survive and thrive. Our gut’s digestive system plays a large role in our metabolism. When our gut-brain axis is off, we can develop brain issues that could lead to Alzheimer’s or dementia.
When we think about what can disrupt our metabolism, it always comes back to toxins. Antibiotics can be very disruptive. The word antibiotics comes from a Greek word that literally means life-killing. What?? Yep. You read that right. Remember that antibiotics kill what is considered good and bad bacteria. Bacterial balance in our bodies is vital for us to thrive and reach our potential as human beings. Antibiotics can lead to greater bacterial imbalances in our gut, which can impact our digestive health as well as our brain function.
Also, certain bacteria within us increase or decrease in response to us being exposed to biological toxins, like mold spores, fungi, parasites, or bacteria, and in response to environmental toxins like pesticides, herbicides, and artificial and “natural” colorings and flavorings. When our bacterial balance is disrupted by toxins, it can affect our ability to utilize nutrients, and it can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies in iron, zinc, magnesium, and certain B vitamins may be associated with cognitive decline.
Lifestyle. Lifestyle encompasses all the choices we make regarding what activities we do or don’t do, what we eat, and what we drink. We are also impacted by the air we breathe in the area in which we live and work. The toxins we breathe in go directly to our brain’s olfactory gland. Perhaps you were surprised to see that loss of the sense of smell is linked to Alzheimer’s. Not only outdoor air quality, but also indoor air quality is very important. Regularly spraying our homes with toxic chemical deodorizers, burning candles that give off toxins, or using toxin-emitting plug-ins can be damaging to our sense of smell and to our brains.
One of the largest pieces of our lifestyle, besides what we drink and smell, is what we eat. We’ve all heard it said, “You are what you eat.” If we regularly eat conventional ice cream, mac’n’cheese, French fries, burgers, energy drinks, fruo-fruo drinks, chips, and crackers made from chemicals that are labeled as artificial and “natural” ingredients, we are living a lifestyle that will likely lead to ill health effects. These types of food products are disruptive to our metabolism because they have been denatured. They no longer have the nutritional value that the original food had. These denatured food products don’t have the natural enzymes contained in the original whole foods they were made from, and they often contain multiple chemicals. You may notice I called them food products. I use the term ‘food products’ when I refer to items that are made from denatured foods that no longer contain the nutrients and enzymes that food did in its original state as a whole food.
Some of us grew up on farms and we were around a lot of chemicals, but we generally had good-quality air to breathe. Other people may work in industries that involve others toxins in the products they handle or help make. They may live in metropolitan areas that are more toxic in regards to air quality and electromagnetic pollution. All these factors contribute to our brain’s state of health or lack thereof. Over time, the accumulation of toxins in our bodies can progressively impair brain function and potentially lead to diseases related to memory loss, like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Is it aging and genetics, or is the accumulation of damaging toxins more to blame?
Some of us did a lot of outdoor activities. We may have been bitten by multiple insects that potentially carry Lyme disease or Lyme-related co-infections. We may have been exposed to food poisoning. We’ve likely had dental procedures in which several chemical toxins were used. We are not going to cover emotional trauma, but traumatic events can definitely add to the physical burden the body carries.
In my opinion, lifestyle and the health of our metabolic system are the biggest factors in the development of dementia-related diseases. I see that as good news! That means we can do something about it! We do not have to be victims of our biology.
What can we do to decrease our risks of developing dementia?
1. Start swapping toxic air fresheners and candles with good-quality essential oils.
2. Swap out conventional lotions and potions with ones made with a few clean ingredients. (Preferably, organic ingredients.)
3. Choose to eat organically grown foods as much as possible.
4. Choose to drink clean water, like distilled water. (Tap water doesn’t qualify as “clean.”)
5. Work with a qualified practitioner to detox the toxins that are negatively affecting your gut, your thyroid, and your brain. It is likely that these toxins are harmful to your heart and the rest of your system as well. We can see how interconnected and complex the body is. If we want serious results, we need some serious help.
6. Find a practitioner or counselor to help you do the needed emotional work to release pent-up emotions that are likely hindering your health. Cranial sacral, TRE (Trauma Release Exercises), and Emotion Code may be very helpful.
Working through the layers of toxins that the brain and the body are struggling with can free up greater brain and overall function. Individualized detox support could give you a memory upgrade! How cool is that? Instead of aging toward dementia, you could truly enjoy your golden years.
There are plenty of other things we could do to decrease our risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia, but I think the above list is a good place to start. You can choose to little by little live a cleaner and more healthy life. We can safely remove toxins, so we can have more optimal metabolism and decrease our risk of developing cognitive disorders or diseases. Praise the LORD! We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
If you don’t know where to start, but you know you want or need a memory upgrade, reach out. Request a discovery call today. Being proactive truly is the best and likely the cheapest option in the long run.
Compassion and blessings,
--Anita