The Cure for Alzheimer's Disease is Prevention

ABSTRACT

THE CURE FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE IS PREVENTION THE ROLE OF INFLAMMATION IN AGING AND DISEASE, PART TWO

Have you considered that your lifestyle and personal behaviors are the primary cause of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease? Are you aware that the main risk factors that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease are within your personal power to change? Alzheimer’s does not just happen, it is largely the result of our personal lifestyle behaviors, and we have the power to stop this tragic, chronic, progressive, and degenerative disease.

Dr. Greg Lawton

The Cure for Alzheimer’s Disease is Prevention, The Role of Inflammation in Aging and Disease, Part Two Have you considered that your lifestyle and personal behaviors are the primary cause of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease? Are you aware that the main risk factors that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease are within your personal power to change? Alzheimer’s does not just happen, it is largely the result of our personal lifestyle behaviors, and we have the power to stop this tragic, chronic, progressive, and degenerative disease.

In the early 1980’s I worked with a large psychology group in the development and implementation of one of the first chronic pain programs in the U.S. It was during this experience that I recognized the link between inflammation in human body systems and chronic degenerative diseases such as arthritis in the musculoskeletal system, cancer in the digestive tract, arteriosclerosis in the circulatory system, and dementia in the brain. When I began my studies of medicine and health care, cognitive decline and disease was called senility or as it progressed, senile dementia, the many disorders associated with senility were stigmatized and hidden and neither the medical nor psychological fields had much to offer in terms of treatment.

There are many degenerative neurological disorders for which effective treatments are still being sought, usually based upon the idea of one pill for one disease, and Alzheimer’s disease is one of these disorders. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease there is not a single cause but rather Alzheimer’s disease is a multifactorial disorder for which there are many causes. When a disorder has many causative factors, treatment regimens must have several treatment techniques or strategies for each one of the causes.

Contemporary allopathic medicine has not yet realized or accepted the concept of holism and unity of function in the human body, and so they keep searching for a single cause and a single drug for each disease. If only it was that simple. In the face of complex disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease such an approach will fail. What is needed instead is the identification of the risk factors and causes of this disease on an individual basis, patient by patient. No two patients are the same, their genetics and family histories differ as does their biochemical and

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hormonal composition and function, their lifestyles, behavior, thinking, their general physical condition, their comorbidities, and emotional context are different and unique.

In this article I investigate the relationship between diet, food addiction, inflammation, and the many risk factors and behaviors that contribute to and cause Alzheimer’s disease and a person’s ability to prevent, manage, or control this terrible disorder.

The Cure for Alzheimer’s Disease is Prevention My mother, Betty, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in her early sixties and died from complications related to Alzheimer’s about ten years later. Betty was known to be an excellent cook and she won cooking contests with her recipes.

Our family diet was frequently graced with her delicious culinary creations and fabulous candies, cookies, cakes, pies, and other sweet deserts. It would be fair to say that Betty found solace from the stresses of marriage, family, and life in general, through preparing delicious meals for her family.

Alzheimer’s is a terrible and tragic disease that takes grandparents, parents, siblings, and other family members away from their loved ones long before they die. The last time that I visited with my mother she did not know who I was. I had taken her and my father to a seaside restaurant in Melbourne, Florida where we had an enjoyable time taking about our early family life and the childhood of myself and my brothers and sister, but when I got up to leave the table, I heard my mother say to my father, “Who was that nice young man?”

Alzheimer’s disease often begins with ‘brain fog”, and then progresses through various stages of memory loss, brain and central nervous system dysfunction, and cognitive decline. As the disease progresses the victim of Alzheimer’s can no longer communicate, loses weight, and finally dies from a secondary cause like pneumonia or in my mother’s case, a hemorrhage. However, the real tragedy is that Alzheimer’s is a preventable disease and should be very rare.

For several years before my mother showed the signs of early onset Alzheimer’s disease, I had warned her and my family about the standard American diet (SAD) as a cause of many degenerative diseases, including several disorders that my grandparents and parents already had, from various cancers, diabetes, heart

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disease and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, those warnings fell on deaf ears.

It wasn’t until my mother was in the final stages of Alzheimer’s that my father, her primary caretaker, began to send me newspaper and magazine articles on the relationship of Alzheimer’s disease diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

These articles contained the same information that I had been providing to my mother, father, and family for more than a decade before my mother’s diagnosis.

I am under no delusion regarding my “power” to change the lifestyle and dietary habits of family, friends, or patients. Food addiction is one of the most powerful addictions there is, and it is also the most unrecognized or accepted addiction.

Like any addiction, the causes of food addiction are complex and are wrapped up in emotional dysfunction and trauma. But make no mistake about it, central to the causes of Alzheimer’s disease is food addiction.

The Primary Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease From my comments thus far, you have probably ascertained that diet is a primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but more specifically it is the consumption of refined carbohydrates like white sugar and flour and too much fat and oil, as well as, specific kinds of fats and oils, that serve as causative factors in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a complicated disorder without one specific cause but whose causes are “multifactorial”. Would it surprise you to know that doctors who practice traditional health care have known how to prevent and treat dementia for hundreds of years? It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone anymore than the fact that the standard American diet was perfectly constructed to cause endemic increases in Alzheimer’s disease. What is a surprise is that few recognize diets role in the disease or are willing to do anything about it.

Let’s review some of the central causes of Alzheimer’s disease” 1. Lack of early assessment, screening, diagnosis and identification of early signs and symptoms.

2. Lack of qualified and competent doctors who understand the diet, smoking, alcohol, and drug disease link.

3. Sedentary lifestyles and a lack of physical exercise.

4. Failure to implement early dietary interventions and modifications.

5. Failure to manage blood sugar disorders, pre-diabetes, and diabetes.

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6. Failure to effectively address obesity and weight management.

7. Failure to address alcohol, prescription and/or recreational drug use, abuse, and addiction.

8. Failure to identify and manage chronic inflammation and pro-inflammatory disorders.

9. Failure to identify and treat sleep disorders, chronic stress, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, neurological deficits, child abuse, and spousal abuse.

10. Lack of proper oral hygiene and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease.

11. Failure to diagnose and treat chronic upper respiratory infections of the sinuses and nasopharynx.

12. Failure to identify key nutrient deficiency disorders such as nutritional deficiencies in vitamin B complex, C, D3, E, K2 and certain macro and micro minerals such as zinc and magnesium.

13. Poor gut flora and a disordered microbiome.

14. Failure to effectively treat chronic inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel disease, and leaky gut syndrome.

15. Failure to identify and to treat hormonal imbalances and disorders, especially those endocrine hormones associated with menopause, cellular repair, and regeneration.

Let’s investigate and comment on each of these central causes of Alzheimer’s disease separately: Lack of early assessment, screening, and diagnosis Signs of Alzheimer’s disease may begin as early as a person’s 4th or 5th decade of life and these early signs may include hearing loss, vertigo or dizziness, and/or a loss of the sense of smell. Of course, “brain fog”, difficulty concentrating, confusing words, or having a hard time putting words together, memory loss, and confusion are also common early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Neuro-psych or neuro-cognitive assessment can lead to early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment through changes to the diet. Targeted nutraceutical and herbal supplementation, exercise, and interventions directed at other personal behaviors that contribute to the progression of the disease need to be implemented as soon as possible.

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Lack of qualified and competent doctors – Many allopathic doctors fail to educate their patients regarding the many lifestyle and dietary behaviors that are the major causes of Alzheimer’s disease and not enough emphasis is placed on modifying these behaviors before the disease progresses to the point of no return. These lifestyle and dietary behavior modifications must include: 1. An overall healthy diet rich in phyto-nutrients and complex carbohydrates.

2. Management of blood sugar irregularities, pre-diabetes, and diabetes primarily through diet and herbal medicine.

3. The elimination of refined and processed sugars and carbohydrates.

4. Addressing and managing obesity.

5. Identifying prescription medication that may be contributing to dementia or pre-dementia.

6. Eliminating alcohol consumption in any amount.

7. Eliminating recreational drugs that harm the brain, CNS, and cause dementia or pre-dementia.

8. Performing dietary and nutritional analysis to measure macro, micro, other key elements of a healthy diet, and those nutritional factors known to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia and age-related cognitive decline.

9. Addressing oral hygiene and gum disease through dental and periodontal care.

10. Cultivating a healthy bowel environment and microbiome.

Sedentary lifestyles and a lack of physical exercise It is impossible for the human body to perform its many biochemical processes, but especially those associated with the metabolism of food and calories, without the positive stress of exercise or physical work. Physical activity and cellular metabolism are intimately linked, one to the other. The oxygenation of body tissues, glucose metabolism and its uptake into cells through the effect of insulin, and the use and expenditure of calories are dependent upon physical activity initiated by the musculo-skeletal system and the combined actions of all human body systems at the cellular level.

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Exercise and physical activity by helping to address some of the root causes of Alzheimer’s disease such as obesity and balancing blood sugar levels, along with moderating some of the earliest effects of the disease including improving the sense of balance, elevating mood and emotional states, improving sleep, increasing blood flow throughout the body, and increasing the oxygenation and blood perfusion of body tissues.

Failure to implement early dietary interventions and modifications – Although there have been significant increases in the number of people seeing chiropractors, naturopaths, and holistic health practitioners, most people still rely upon allopathic doctors for advice and treatment of chronic medical conditions cause by diet and lifestyle.

This is an unfortunate situation since allopath’s have almost no training in diet and nutrition and most do not embrace using naturopathic or holistic modalities for patient care and treatment. This situation related to the lack of knowledge regarding preventative care through diet and exercise results in patients who are seeking competent care for chronic progressive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease being improperly treated for a disease that is largely caused by poor diet, obesity, and a lack of exercise.

When patients present with early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease no prescription medication will undo the effects of a bad diet or a lack of essential nutrients. What patients do need at this initial stage of the disease is competent advice and direction on how to reverse the disease and how to prevent further damage to brain cells. At this early stage of the disease what is essential is patient education and direction in dietary modification. Few patients receive this intervention.

Failure to manage blood sugar disorders, pre-diabetes, and diabetes – Blood sugar imbalance, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, pre-diabetes, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are the foundational causes of Alzheimer’s disease and anyone with these conditions and the genetic markers for Alzheimer’s disease are at significant risk of manifesting the constellation of signs and symptoms defined as early Alzheimer’s disease. Some researchers and practitioners have labeled Alzheimer’s disease as “Type Three” diabetes.

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Erratic blood sugar levels jumping from low to high throughout the day or individuals diagnosed with “hypoglycemia” or pre-diabetes may be determined to be exhibiting the early signs of Alzheimer’s’ disease. Early-onset, autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease is a form of Alzheimer disease that develops before the age of sixty-five. It is diagnosed in families that have more than one member with Alzheimer’s disease in which the age of onset is often before age sixty.

Autosomal dominant pattern means that one copy of an altered gene in a cell is sufficient to cause Alzheimer’s disease in an individual. In most cases, an affected person inherits the altered gene from one affected parent.

If you have a grandparent, parent, or sibling who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease then you may have inherited the gene and that genetic tendency along with obesity, blood sugar irregularities, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia (diabetes) greatly increases your chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Insulin, or insulin analogs as medications are not the best course of action in treating blood sugar disorders and conditions, rather diet, proper nutrition, exercise, and other preventative restorative treatments are.

Failure to effectively address obesity and weight management – Obesity is endemic in the U.S. and although obesity levels approaching fifty percent of adults is being reported the numbers of obese Americans, often defined as merely overweight, is grossly underreported and undertreated.

Obesity is a disease, and it is a major cause of many secondary diseases including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, the main causes of death worldwide. Obesity in the U.S. is the result of two main factors. The first factor being food addiction and the second the commercialization of food for profit over public health.

In terms of Alzheimer’s disease, obesity may be the kindling from which the fire of this disease is set ablaze. The question arises as to whether there can be a “healthy” amount of obesity or being over-fat. This question can only be answered in terms of the overall physical condition of a person who is obese or overfat. What signs of physical health or illness does the person have in conjunction with their obesity? What familial risk factors does the person have?

What signs, symptoms, and/or comorbidities do they have? But perhaps the most significant question or risk factor associated with being overweight or obese

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is what is the inflammatory condition of their body tissues and organs? This is called proinflammatory disease and it results directly from obesity and is the major cause of chronic, progressive, and degenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease.

Blood sugar disorders and chronic progressive degenerative diseases cannot be successfully treated by any means without first managing obesity.

Failure to address alcohol, prescription and/or recreational drug use, abuse, and addiction Alcohol consumption at any level whether defined as “social drinking” or alcoholism is one of the most prevalent causes of inflammation and accelerated degeneration (aging) of cells, tissues, and organs in the body. There is no beneficial level or amount of alcohol that should be consumed. Worldwide, alcoholism is the leading type of drug addiction and the costliest to human society. Alcohol is a cellular toxin and as such is destructive to all human cells especially those of the digestive system and is therefore a leading cause of gastrointestinal cancers. Alcohol causes acute and chronic gut irritation and inflammation and contributes to irritable bowel disease and leaky gut syndrome.

Alcohol is a neurotoxin, and it damages and destroys nerve and brain cells and as such is a direct contributor to the progressive development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Several prescription medications prescribed by allopathic doctors, and certain over-the-counter drugs, to lower cholesterol, for sleep disorders, or antidepressants are known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and/or worsen the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. In June of 2019 a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) confirmed this. This large, detailed study showed a link between anticholinergic medications and patients who have dementia. Individuals at risk genetically and/or through multiple risk factors as outlined in this article should talk to the prescribing allopathic doctor about getting off medications that increase their risk or contribute to the cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

The American Geriatric Society Updated Beers Criteria provides recommendations on medications that are inappropriate for older adults. This criterion suggests that

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medications like anticholinergics and hypnotics should be avoided in patients with dementia. Evidence indicates that these types of medications could contribute to or worsen dementia.

Among the many negative side effects of recreational drug abuse is memory loss.

Regular use of recreational drugs like marijuana, opioids, ecstasy, and cocaine can lead to memory loss or lapses in memory that may not be reversible due to damage to brain cells.

Failure to identify and manage chronic inflammation and pro-inflammatory disorders – “Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, bowel disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, and many idiopathic and degenerative diseases of the lungs, nervous and musculo-skeletal systems have been shown in recent medical and scientific research studies to directly result from, or to be strongly related to, inflammation.

Our knowledge regarding the role of inflammation as an underlying cause of disease has grown significantly and we how have a much clearer understanding of the mechanisms of how inflammation resulting from diet and lifestyle is directly linked to the deadliest diseases of the current and last century.”

This quote is copied directly from my informational booklet entitled, “The Inflammation Epidemic – The Role of Inflammation in Aging and Disease” and the reader of this article is directed to that booklet for more detailed information regarding the relationship of inflammation and disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. If there was any doubt regarding the destructive power of inflammation and the pro-inflammatory state of the human body the direct attack by SARSCoV2 on areas of inflammation in vulnerable individuals, especially those who are obese, have heart and artery disease, lung disease, or other diseases such as diabetes, known to be caused by, or marked by, inflammation should serve as conclusive proof.

Individuals, who because of food addiction, an improper diet, and drug and alcohol use and abuse who remain in a proinflammatory state are highly prone to many inflammatory disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, but they most often harbor multiple areas of inflammatory degeneration and chronic infection in their bodies.

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Failure to identify and treat sleep disorders, chronic stress, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, neurological deficits, child abuse, and spousal abuse A greater recognition is needed for the role that both psychological and physical brain trauma play in the development of various brain related neurological disorders, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals exhibiting early signs of Alzheimer’s disease including cognitive deficit, memory loss, and mental confusion should receive a neuropsychological evaluation and screening. Sleep disorders, chronic stress, PTSD, TBI, neurological deficits, a history of child and spousal abuse have all been associated with increasing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Lack of proper oral hygiene and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease and infection Chronic infection in the body, any part or area of the body, is a known contributing factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The oral cavity is home to about 700 species of bacteria, including those that can cause periodontal (gum) disease. A recent analysis led by National Institute on Aging (NIA) scientists suggests that bacteria that cause gum disease are also associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, especially vascular dementia. The results were reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Failure to diagnose and treat chronic upper respiratory infections of the sinuses and nasopharynx – As was previously mentioned in this article, chronic untreated infections harbored anywhere in the body are a risk factor and a cause of Alzheimer’s disease. This includes infections in the bowel, upper and lower respiratory tract, oral cavity, urinary tract, and the reproductive system (STD’s). This is especially true of chronic infections residing in the mouth, throat, nasal, and sinus areas because of the proximity of disease-causing microorganisms residing in these areas to the brain. These pathogens that serve as risk factors for the development of Alzheimer’s disease include cold and flu viruses, including SARS CoV2, bacteria, fungi, and mold.

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Failure to identify key nutrient deficiency disorders such as nutritional deficiencies in vitamin B complex, C, D3, K2 and certain macro and micro minerals such as zinc and magnesium A large and growing number of micronutrients have been demonstrated to have an inverse relationship to diseases that have inflammatory components, e.g., Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and rheumatoid arthritis. Recent clinical studies have reported dietary intake or blood levels of individual micronutrients to be inversely associated with certain biomarkers of inflammation, especially C-Reactive Protein. These micronutrients include: Magnesium Vitamin B6 Vitamin C Vitamin D3 Vitamin E To effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease dietary levels of these and other key nutrients must be measured and where they are at sub-normal levels a diet must be designed to provide these nutrients and/or they must be supplemented into the diet.

Poor gut flora and a disordered microbiome – The cornerstone of treating chronic inflammation, also known as a proinflammatory condition, is diet and the most important element of diet in treating pro-inflammatory conditions is to create a positive prebiotic, probiotic, and microbiome environment in the digestive tract. The human microbiome consists of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms that exist in the human digestive tract. The role of a good diet based on solid and semi solid foods and liquids is to promote a positive prebiotic environment for the introduction and the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Many people, because of a poor diet, are suffering from a pathogenic and proinflammatory gut environment a condition called dysbiosis.

Recent scientific evidence suggests that an imbalanced gut microbiome contributes to Alzheimer’s disease and wider neuroinflammation through the gut-

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brain-axis. Promoting ‘good bacteria’ relative to ‘bad bacteria’ in the gut is important in maintaining good digestive, immune and neurological health.

Failure to effectively treat chronic inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel disease, and leaky gut syndrome – Dysbiosis and chronic inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease, colitis, IBS, and leaky gut syndrome are intimately related one to the other. When there is an imbalanced microbiome gut inflammation, dysfunction, and disease are soon to follow. Where there is an imbalanced microbiome and inflammatory bowel disease, leaky gut syndrome will occur. Leaky gut syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that result from infectious and inflammatory damage to the gut mucosa. This damage is often caused by a poor diet that may include alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a major cause of bowel damage, and it is a significant risk factor for bowel cancer. Frequently, bowel disorders like IBS/IBD occur around the same time or a few months or years after a person has begun to drink alcoholic beverages.

Failure to identify and to treat hormonal imbalances and disorders, especially those endocrine hormones associated with menopause, cellular repair, and regeneration Two thirds of individuals diagnosed with cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease are women. Early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease often accompanies the stages of menopause and are compounded with the risk factors cited in this article including a family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia. In addition, affected women may be obese and have blood sugar imbalances, diabetes, chronic inflammation, and heart disease. Women experience declining hormone levels sooner and faster than men. Certain key endocrine hormones provide protection for our cells and are critical for the growth and repair of cells, including nerve and brain cells. A decline in estrogen, progesterone, estradiol, and other protective hormones diminishes the body’s ability to repair and replace damaged cells. These are some of the factors that cause a high rate of Alzheimer’s disease in women.

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The cure for Alzheimer’s disease is prevention - Conclusion This article, “The Cure for Alzheimer’s Disease is Prevention, Inflammation in Aging and Disease, Part Two” follows my previous article “Inflammation in Aging and Disease, Part One. In writing these two articles, and a seminar workbook entitled “Women’s Health Issues Seminar Workbook”, I am attempting to draw the connection between personal health habits, diet, health risk factors, chronic inflammation, and preventable degenerative diseases such as the subject of this article, Alzheimer’s disease.

In this article we have identified the following fourteen key causes that can result in Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the current and growing endemic of Alzheimer’s cases. These fifteen key causes are: • Lack of early assessment, screening, diagnosis and identification of early signs and symptoms.

• Lack of qualified and competent doctors who understand the diet, smoking, alcohol, and drug disease link.

• Sedentary lifestyles and a lack of physical exercise.

• Failure to implement early dietary interventions and modifications.

• Failure to manage blood sugar disorders, pre-diabetes, and diabetes.

• Failure to effectively address obesity and weight management.

• Failure to address alcohol, prescription and/or recreational drug use, abuse, and addiction.

• Failure to identify and manage chronic inflammation and pro-inflammatory disorders.

• Failure to identify and treat sleep disorders, chronic stress, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, neurological deficits, child abuse, and spousal abuse.

• Lack of proper oral hygiene and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease.

• Failure to diagnose and treat chronic upper respiratory infections of the sinuses and nasopharynx.

• Failure to identify key nutrient deficiency disorders such as nutritional deficiencies in vitamin B complex, C, D3, E, K2 and certain macro and micro minerals such as zinc and magnesium.

• Poor gut flora and a disordered microbiome.

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• Failure to effectively treat chronic inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel disease, and leaky gut syndrome.

• Failure to identify and to treat hormonal imbalances and disorders, especially those endocrine hormones associated with menopause, cellular repair, and regeneration.

All the key causes are either under your personal control to correct or they may be managed through competent health care consultation and treatment. In every one of these fifteen causes natural, holistic, dietary, and/or herbal medicine can prevent or manage cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. The “cure” for Alzheimer’s disease is prevention!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure If you have not read “Inflammation in Aging and Disease, Part One” I highly recommend that you do so. In “Inflammation in Aging and Disease, Part One” I explain in greater detail the role that inflammation plays in aging and disease, I give more examples regarding the various pathological conditions and diseases that inflammation causes, and I provide recommendations regarding, diet, nutrition, exercise, probiotics, and herbal medicine. Part one of this three-part series might be used as a follow up to this article in that it provides practical suggestions for how to prevent, manage, or reverse the initial signs and symptoms of cognitive decline. Part three which is entitled, “Women’s Health Issues Seminar Workbook”, goes into even greater detail regarding diet and herbal medicine therapies for preventing, reversing, or managing cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s disease.

You might want to consider completing the following Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Checklist and get a visual picture of how many risk factors you have and whether you are showing the signs and symptoms of cognitive decline and/or Alzheimer’s disease.

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Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Checklist Reduction in or loss of the sense of smell Reduction in or the loss of the ability to taste Diminished hearing or deafness Dizziness or vertigo Loss of concentration Difficulty solving problems Difficulty with words and sentences Difficulty reading and comprehending Loss of vision Slowed reaction time Frequent forgetfulness such as forgetting where you put things Frequent memory loss Difficulty judging the speed of objects or their distance from you Difficulty remembering dates, times, and places Difficulty navigating familiar areas around your home or city Periodontal disease Blood sugar disorders like diabetes Metabolic syndrome Obesity Signs and symptoms of proinflammatory diseases History of child abuse, spousal abuse, PTSD, TBI, or head injury Smoking Prescription drug or recreational drug use or abuse Alcohol consumption Mood swings, irritability, depression, aggression, and/or anger Insomnia or disrupted sleep cycle Social withdrawal Increasing impulsiveness and poor judgment Loss of interest in life, apathy, and lethargy Chronic health conditions with loss of lean body mass

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