Overcoming Senior Moments
- Book Review,
by Frances Meiser, Nina Anderson
Dr. Michael Gazsi, co-author of Self Care Anywhere and A Doctor in your Suitcase
This book gives accurate iinformation on nutrients and supplements needed for preventing illnesses of the brain.
Dr. Ogi Ressel, author of Kids First: Health with No Interference
The techniques described in this book suggest pathways that can create a healthy brain, and keep our memory sharp.
Book Description
If you want to create a powerful memory, improve concentration, recapture lost thoughts or just remember where you put your keys, then this book is for you. It really doesn't matter whether your age is six or sixty, we all have memory lapses from time to time. This book gives you possible reasons for memory loss in an easy to read, cleverly illustrated format. It covers drugs that can leat to memory loss, dietary no no's, the need for electrolytes, supplements that may help and lifestyle changes that may keep you from developing memory loss.It is an essential book for anyone who forgets.
From the Publisher
Have you ever forgotten where you put your keys? or misplaced a thought in the middle of a sentence? or lost a word that was on the tip of your tongue? or forgoten your best friend's name? or wondered if diet or drugs could be affecting your memory? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need to read this book. Cleverly illustrated it gives simple everyday things you can do to prevent memory loss from diet to supplements to exercises. Even young people will benefit from this book, especially those who are still studying in school. Not just for senior citizens, this book will be a keep for everyone in the family.
About the Author
Frances Meiser is an educator, author and pioneer brining new information on brain function and its' neuroplasticity to the educational arena and an aging population. At age 50 she was labeled with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and through a self-help program and the assistance of the HANDLE Institute, whe moved beyond these dysfunctions. She is the author of The Brain Train, a children's book and holds a BA in Elementary Education and Early Child Development.
Excerpted from Overcoming Senior Moments by Frances Meiser, Nina Anderson. Copyright © 2001. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter One THE PROBLEM It really doesn't matter whether your age is six or sixty, we all have memory lapses from time to time. We used to think that when we reached retirement age, we were expected to repeat ourselves and to forget to turn off the stove. Unfortunately, this behavior is showing up at earlier ages; from simply forgetting where you put your keys to looking at a familiar friend and not remembering her name. Memory loss may be attributed to the following: Aging Alcohol overuse Aluminum toxicity Alzheimer's Anesthetics Chemical synthesis inadequacies Chronic infections Depression Drugs High fat diet Head trauma Menopause Mineral deficiencies Oxidative damage to the brain which effect nerve's myelin sheath Seizures Stroke Synthetic estrogens Vitamin deficiencies The worst form of memory loss is Alzheimer's disease. First discovered in 1906, Alzheimer's has grown to be the 4th leading cause of death for adults. It affects 6 million people and costs 100 billion dollars per year. It is showing up in young people as well as the elderly. A normal brain is composed of tissue that is fat and healthy with tight spaces between the tissues. The same brain suffering from Alzheimer's is shriveled and the tissues contain large gaps between them. This is a result of nerve cells dying. When enough nerve cells die, memory is affected. The amyloid plaque which kills the brain cells may form when melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain, is deficient. This has normally been thought of as a condition of aging. Unfortunately, there are chemical imbalances appearing in younger people, that can throw off hormone function. There are more reasons for brain atrophy. Neurons communicate with each other through structures called synapses, which release a transmitter chemical. If these chemicals are either deficient or excessive, brain function will be impaired; acetylcholine affects memory, serotonin regulates mood, noradrenaline influences mood and autonomic function and dopamine affects motor coordination. If the body's normal chemistry is altered through a lack of a specific nutrient, vitamin, mineral, or through an emotional stressor, these regulators may be upset, thereby creating an imbalance in the brain, and a reduction in information transmitted from cell to cell. Attention Deficit Disorder is one illness thought to be related to a brain chemical imbalance, primarily serotonin. Serotonin is manufactured in the brain in the presence of vitamin B6 and an essential amino acid, tryptophan supplied by protein. When deficiencies exist, neurotransmitter signals are compromised and behavioral anomalies surface. An over-abundance of insulin also reduces serotonin levels and induces foggy thinking, by reducing blood sugar levels to the brain. Calcium releases insulin while magnesium inhibits its release. Many children diagnosed with A.D.D. have low magnesium at the cellular level. Prescription drugs can also affect brain function as a side-effect. If you experience memory loss when taking drugs, please make your physician aware of this condition. Many times your forgetful behavior may not be associated with the drug. If misdiagnosed, further drug protocols for preventing Alzheimer's or Dementia may be prescribed. To relieve these 'senior moments', all you may need to do is stop taking the drug. Common drugs that may affect memory are as follows: Aldomet Mellaril Ascendin Pameln Dalmane Pepcid Elavil Symmetrel Equanil Tagamet Haldol Valium Inderal Xantac Unseen culprits may also affect your memory. Since the brain is primarily chemical in nature, it is logical to assume that emotions affecting our body-chemistry also affect neural function. Anxiety, depression and stress are the most common emotions that can have a negative effect on the chemical-dependent neurotransmitter function. Distraction, fatigue, apathy, loss of sensory perception (vision, hearing) and too much information to process (neural overload), all may induce temporary memory loss. A strong factor in brain function is the ability of our body to operate as it is designed to do. Since the brain is mostly water, it is common sense to assume that we must stay hydrated. Specific nutrients play a constructive part in nerve health, and therefore, if we have dietary deficiencies, memory loss may surface. Our environment can also play a big part in the health of our brain. Toxic or chemical-laden indoor air, highly chlorinated unfiltered water, pesticide ingestion, mold, exposure to electromagnetic fields and certain food additives all can compromise our immune system. Animals used for food are many times fed hormone-laden feed to "fatten them up". Synthetic estrogen hormones may remain in animal tissue after slaughter and end up in your meat. In some cases, Alzheimer's has been linked to these synthetic estrogens. Most of the food additives and environmental toxins lead to an alteration in normal bodily operation, with resulting stress on the chemical balance of the brain. There are some basics that need to be addressed as absolutes for brain health. They are depicted in the next chapter. Once you have followed these recommendations, most likely your memory will have been restored. Sometimes it needs additional help, especially if you have not been supporting your immune system. For supplements that can act as treatments for memory loss, refer to Chapter Four.
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