Alzheimer's Prevention May Be Possible

Contributing editor Melina Papadakis reports on a new book that may cause people to think differently about Alzheimer's.

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Pamela McDonald, RNFA, FNP, a leading integrated nurse practitioner in San Francisco, is devoted to the prevention of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cardiovascular disease and chronic illness. In the 1990s, she began studying the gene that plays a major role in Alzheimer's and heart disease: the Apo E gene, or "Alzheimer's gene."

This year, Apo E gene testing has been making the news because many companies have started offering the test, usually priced around $400. This saliva test determines if you carry the Apo E gene variation. Unfortunately, no one is offering a solution to those people disposed to developing the diseases related to the gene. The question is: should you get tested when there is no solution to the problem?

McDonald offers a solution to preventing the onset of Alzheimer's, as well as heart disease. She has identified nutrition plans and gene-supportive environments for each variation of the Apo E gene and has seen in her practice how symptoms have been prevented or reduced.

McDonald has released this information in the book, The ApoE Gene Diet: A Breakthrough in Changing, Cholesterol, Weight, Heart and Alzheimer's Using the Body's Own Gene (Elite Books, November 2007, Hardcover, $27.95). As Larry Dossey, MD, bestselling author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things, writes, “This book represents the future of medicine - an individualized, personalized approach that honors our genetic uniqueness. Pamela McDonald brings together a complete health program that honors all we are - body, mind, and spirit.”

For more information, visit www.apoegenediet.com.

Do you worry about Alzheimer’s? Has it affected your family in any way?

Comments

[Carol O'Dell]

My mother did not have high cholesterol or other risk factors for Alzheimer's, she simply got it because (in part) of how long she lived.

She didn't develop symptoms of this disease until her late 80s. So the lesson is, if you make it past your 70s without a heart attack or cancer, you get to look forward to Alzheimer's because your chances of contracting this disease rise dramatically with age.

Can we prevent Alzheimer's by taking better care of ourselves? Maybe. Maybe not. We need to take care of ourselves because it will impact the quality of our lives - today. Whatever comes in the future is a crap-shoot - and I'm okay with that.

Life is about taking your chances, loving big and hard - and if you're lucky, (blessed) having friends and family to get you through.

Mom had a good long life, and yes, the last few years were rough - I am her daughter and full-time caregiver. But now that she's gone I see the whole of her life and I have a lot to be grateful for.

- Carol D. O'Dell
Author of Mothering Mother: A Daughter's Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir
www.mothering-mother.com

[Peter Belisi]

Thank you for the helpful information...