Mental health problems are the leading cause of disability in the United States. Alzheimer's Disease affects about 4.5 million people each year. This is serious because forgetfulness endangers lives.
Three different categories of memory loss exist: Mild Cognitive Impairment involves forgetfulness, memory lapses, being less attentive and that person has noticed difficulty in finding the right words to communicate. Senile Dementia is becoming increasingly forgetful with memory loss becoming more frequent, having poor judgment, difficulty communicating and problems with writing, reading or organizing thoughts. Finally, Alzheimer's Disease being the most serious of the three entails the inability to follow instructions, unaware of surroundings or deteriorating condition, loss of speech fluency, unable to dress oneself, unable to perform simple tasks like eating, loss of judgment and reasoning, delusional, wandering easily (lost), and incontinence.
Mood and cognitive disorders are a consequence of poor communication between neurochemicals. By restoring connections between brain cells, supporting the integrity of the neurons and managing substances that interfere with message development and delivery. This can be done by maintaining a healthy relationship between excitatory and inhibitory messages (neurotransmitters such as serotonin, GABA, glutamate and acetylcholine) that determine behavior. Aside from using pharmaceuticals, a natural approach can work well. The basic strategy is raising Acetylcholine and reducing excitotoxicity such as lowering homocysteine levels and lowering mitochondrial stresses.
Article Photos
Derek Teets
As for Acetylcholine; its synthesis occurs in the hippocampus (located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain and being a place where long-term memories are stored). Acetylcholine facilitates communication between neurons and mediates release of other neurotransmitters. The function of this neurotransmitter is critical for cognitive processing, memory, arousal and attention. Choline, a precursor to acetylcholine is derived from dietary sources and is found in cell membranes in the form of Phosphatidylcholine. Dementia is associated with a substantial loss in cholinergic brain neurons. It is also important to address insulin resistance and to lower cortisol levels (stress hormone).
It is thought in some circles that Alzheimer's and dementia are genetically determined. However we are finding out more and more that our environment can be as much or more of a determining factor in the onset of these diseases. Meaning that what we eat, how much we exercise, stresses and keeping cognitively active can affect the possibility of memory disorders.
Derek Teets is a chiropractor in Minot and a diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board.
Fact Box
It is thought in some circles that Alzheimer's and dementia are genetically determined. However we are finding out more and more that our environment can be as much or more of a determining factor in the onset of these diseases. Meaning that what we eat, how much we exercise, stresses and keeping cognitively active can affect the possibility of memory disorders.