Dementia is a devastating but largely preventable condition unnecessarily affecting upwards of 10,000,000 Americans, with ~ 5 million having Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Research shows that at autopsy, the majority of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s never had it. They had other, sometimes treatable (but missed), causes of their dementia. A rapidly growing body of research is showing that most dementia cases are preventable. Easily. Without medication.

Here are my top 7 tips, organized using the mnemonic DEMENTIA:

1) DRUGS-ask the doctor to get people off unneeded ones. Anticholinergic (AC) Meds (benadryl, tricyclic antidepressants, incontinence meds) are especially prone to trigger dementia like symptoms. 

2) EMOTIONS- Depression, Anxiety and Sleep. Natural remedies can be especially helpful here, without the worsening often caused by the medications. 

3) METABOLIC- This means addressing high blood pressure, diabetes, and hormonal disorders. Much of this can be done naturally.

4) Ears and Eyes. Have vision and eye exams to optimize function. The research suggests that 32% of dementia can be prevented simply by supplying hearing aids. The key is that the hearing loss is picked up on testing even when the person is not aware of it. Increasing the presence of strong scents (e.g. coffee and cinnamon or a scented oil vaporizer in the bedroom) may help maintain brain health as well. Meanwhile, vision impairment is linked to 19% of dementia cases.

5) NUTRITION- Optimize key areas of nutrition. Begin with good common sense and a whole food diet, low in gluten:

1. Optimize folate, B12 and B Vitamins. Take a high potency multivitamin containing the 5 MTHF form of folate, at least 250 µg of vitamin B12, and 25 to 50 mg of most of the B vitamins. Ignore the RDAs, which I consider “Ridiculous Dietary Allowances.” These three nutrients have been shown to be more powerful than any medication for preventing dementia.
2. If problematic Alzheimer’s already exists, explore ketogenic diets, coconut oil, etc. I would read the book Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure? The Story of Ketones”\ by Mary T Newport, M.D.
3. Early research suggests that a special form of a supplement called PEA at least 300 mg twice a day (consider 1200 mg twice a day) can be very helpful for brain regeneration. Including dementias. But it takes three months to start seeing the benefit, and it is important to use a high absorption form. After three months of use, PEA also dramatically decreases most forms of chronic pain. Sadly, but treatably, chronic pain has been shown to dramatically increase dementia risk. My book From Fatigued to Fantastic discusses how to effectively treat most kinds of pain naturally.

6) Tumors and other brain issues. Dementia is a very good reason to get a CT scan or Head MRI

7) Infections & Anemia and other overt medical problems. Dementia means it’s time to get a thorough checkup from both the neurologist and your holistic physician (see www.IFM.org to find one). Gingivitis and poor dental hygiene is associated with a marked increase in Alzheimer’s as well, with good oral health pain associated with a 22% lower risk of having dementia, and 44% lower risk of dying from it.

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1. Start with a good multivitamin with high levels of folate, B12, magnesium, and other nutrients
2. Get a hearing and vision exam. Optimize elevated blood sugars with berberine and Hintonia. If needed, increase potassium intake to lower high blood pressure (e.g. – tomato or V-8 juice, avocados, bananas)
3. Brush your teeth and use dental floss. Get your teeth cleaned at the dentist at least yearly
4. PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) at least 600 mg daily. Takes three months to work

With these commonsense research proven tips, one can often prevent, and sometimes even reverse, dementia!

As always, one should consult a personal healthcare practitioner (www.IFM.org is a great resources find a practitioner).

Preventing Hospital Induced Delirium and Dementia

1. Keep pictures of the person, spouse, children, grandchildren and even pets all over the hospital room, so the staff sees them as a human being, as opposed to “the gallbladder in room 14.”
2. Keep comforting and familiar items from home around, like their slippers, mugs, etc.
3. Ask for extended visiting hours, so a family member can be there 24 hours daily. Otherwise if the family member gets confused in the middle of the night, they may tie them down and put them on antipsychotic medications. This can be nipped in the bud by having a family member present during the night.
4. Bring their glasses and hearing aids.

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