Alzheimer’s disease is a terrible illness. It is a type of dementia that causes progressive problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is a serious, debilitating illness that is occurring at staggering rates in the elderly population. Presently, one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease.(1) Seeing someone with Alzheimer’s is heartbreaking. Many middle-aged and elderly patients tell me that their number one goal is to maintain optimal brain function as they age. This article was adapted from the Alliance for Natural Health’s article on Alzheimer’s disease and a New York Times article. (1)(3)
There are FDA-approved medications to treat Alzheimer’s disease. These include cholinesterase inhibitors Exelon and Aricept. My experience with these medications has not been good. I have yet to see a single Alzheimer patient significantly improve their brain function by taking a cholinesterase inhibitor.
As reported in the New York Times, the FDA plans to loosen the rules for approving new drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. (3) The article states, “Drugs in clinical trials would qualify for approval if people at very early stages of {Alzheimer’s disease} subtly improved their performance on memory or reasoning tests… Companies would not have to show that the drugs improved daily, real-world functioning.” Real world functioning includes such activities of daily living such as dressing or feeding. Furthermore, the new drugs do not have to show effectiveness in diminishing the number of patients developing progressive Alzheimer’s disease. After they have already been released into the market the FDA would then mandate that Big Pharma perform studies in order to determine whether the new drugs are effective at preventing late-state Alzheimer’s disease.
Wow. So, companies can bring Alzheimer’s drugs to market without initially showing they are effective at preventing late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Keep in mind the drugs already available are expensive and ineffective at preventing the progression to or treating late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. And, the drugs don’t have to improve real-world functioning. Thank goodness the FDA mandated that these new drugs would have to result in ‘subtle’ improvement on memory or reasoning tests. (That last line should be read with sarcasm.)
Silly me. I thought the FDA was supposed to ensure the effectiveness of an FDA-approved medication.
Guess who has an Alzheimer’s drug ready to bring to market? Big Pharma cartel founding member Eli Lilly has one—solanezumab. This new drug was not showing improvement for end-stage Alzheimer’s disease. However, the new FDA guidelines will make it much easier to bring this drug to market.
Alzheimer’s does not form due to a cholinesterase inhibitor-deficiency syndrome. I believe Alzheimer’s forms from a combination of factors including toxicities such as exposure to mercury, nutritional deficits, and hormonal imbalances. What can you do to prevent developing Alzheimer’s disease? I think a holistic approach to your health care provides the best plan to prevent developing Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, I have found a holistic approach effective at treating and reversing early states of Alzheimer’s disease. By the time Alzheimer’s disease reaches a late stage, it may be too late. It is important to take care of yourself before signs of Alzheimer’s disease begins to manifest.
Here’s is what I have seen in my practice. I have witnessed early Alzheimer’s patients significantly improve their brain function through a holistic protocol that consists of eating a better diet, detoxification, hormonal balancing using bioidentical, natural hormones as well as nutritional support. More information about a healthy lifestyle can be found in my books. I have no doubt that following this approach will be beneficial for preventing the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
(1) http://www.anh-usa.org/fda-proposes-to-drop-the-effectiveness-test-for-alzheimers-drugs/
(2)Alzheimer’s Assoc. 2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures
(3) New York Times. 3.13.13
Some of the side effects I have personally seen with patients using these drugs include balance issues(fainting), appetite suppression and lethargy and diarrhea. Which facters are the most important to senior safety and independent living?…. Certainly balance to prevent falls and broken bones(hips) wins over a miniscule increase, if any in cognitative function? Thank you for continuing to encourage the public to think and speak up regarding health care and the well being of themselves or family members.