Swinging moods...anger...frustration and related...

Someone I love has mood swings. Anger. Frustration. Lashing out at times. She gets upset at herself after an outburst and gets down about it. Most of the time she's a joy. This is not a situation where therapy would help although she is seeing someone. She's young, and this may be a stage, could be related to hormones to some degree. 

I decided to do some research for some possible herbal and supplemental solutions or assistance. May find some foods that also help but I'm not going down the yoga, exercise, meditation route as that's not an option for our girl and most of us already know they are good for our overall mental and physical health.

I'm going to just pop things I find on here and will circle back to this blog with updates on what helped or more things to consider. 

You'll find that many, if not all, of these help with sleep also. Stands to reason that if you're calm you're going to sleep better and vice versa! (Note: for more on sleep check out the blog I have on the sidebar and do a search on here for sleep...it is one of my ongoing research areas and I'm always adding things about improving deep and REM sleep.)

Magnesium - we know it's good for sleep, for our brain, but it's also listed as one that helps with stabilizing moods. It is an anti-stressor and studies have shown that it reduces stress levels and anxiety. Magnesium citrate powder is easily absorbed and the magnesium version I keep seeing as being the best for this particular issue.

Vitamin D - thinking getting outside in the sun for our minimum 20 minutes a day is usually the best way to get our D. Especially if combined with some movement like walking or riding a bike. Might not be the best way if you live in an area with heavy pollution.

5-HTP - mood swings, depression, and sleep issues.

Ashwagandha - great for your brain, memory also. (ha --- spellcheck tried to turn ashwagandha into "handwashing".)

Ginseng - mood, anger, focus, energy and more.

Rhodiola Rosea - I bought some and it's a sticky kind of herb, hard to cut up and use. I need to see if there are other versions I can buy, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I wanted to add it to my anti-anxiety tea blend that I make up for a friend but the type I bought turned out to be too hard to incorporate in a tea mix.

Passion Flower - helps with sleep and calms moods.

St. John's Wort - one that is mentioned over and over for mood swings, anxiety, similar issues. One said it is "the top herb" in this area.

Kava Kava - sleep, calmness, relaxation of nerves, anxiety, mood swings.

Chamomile - sleep, anger, skin swelling, stomach cramps.

Valerian Root - mood swings, sleep, restlessness, depression.

Sam-E - also good for your joints

Omega 3 - eat a lot of wild caught salmon! 

B Vitamins - B5, 6 & 12 in particular.  

These are some I came across that I'll update as I find out more. Listing so you can look into them before I do if you'd like:

• Catuaba
• Eleuthero or Siberian ginseng
  
• Ginkgo biloba (I use the herb in some of my teas for reasons other than mood)
  
• Maca root or Peruvian ginseng
• Mulberry bark tea (I eat dried white mulberries...will have to look up to see if they also have a positive mood impact)
  
• Schizandra (Wu Wei Zi)
  
• Shilajit
• Tribulus terrestris
  
• Yohimbine
  

Some additional comments, my own thoughts after years of working to improve my mind and body naturally:

I believe there are many things in our foods and diet that contribute and/or cause a lot, if not most, of our health and mind issues. Allergies to additives like red dye (disputed but there are many children who have had complete mood changes for the good when foods with red dye were removed from their diets). Gluten sensitivity. All those additives we can't pronounce in our processed foods. The list is long...pesticides, fast foods, preservatives, etc. 

Sugar in our foods is a big contributor to mood swings. They use it as a cheap filler...plus it is addictive so we keep going back for more and often don't like things that don't have sugar included. [Who puts sugar in mayonnaise? blue cheese dressing? Mass producers of those products. You won't find sugar in the recipe books. Check out my blog on sugar: https://ramblingjan.blogspot.com/2021/01/cutting-out-sugar-good-luck.html] 

Doubt me on how addictive sugar is? Try going sugar-free for a couple of weeks. I'm not talking about just ditching sodas and cake, I'm talking about looking at labels and taking anything out of your diet that lists any of the hundreds of names they give to sugar to hide it from you. 

I've done a number of blogs on sugar and mention it often in my health posts. I also have a Facebook group, private, called Little Life Hacks (https://www.facebook.com/groups/littlelifehacks) where I post things of interest so maybe I posted on there. You're welcome to join the group, just let me know you heard about it on here.

Our sedentary lifestyle also has a negative impact. The fact that we hang out more inside than outside. The wacky light exposure we now get throwing off our circadian rhythm. So many things we consider "normal" that truly aren't good for our bodies.

I eat organic as much as possible and definitely stay away from the "Dirty Dozen". 

Some suggested reading:

https://whatsgood.vitaminshoppe.com/supplements-mood-support/

https://ehowremedies.com/health/natural-herbal-supplements-to-control-anger-and-mood-swings/

https://globalhealing.com/natural-health/top-5-herbs-for-controlling-mood-swings/

https://urbol.com/natural-mood-stabilizers/

Vitamin C is just vitamin C, right? Updated 1/2/2020

We've all heard about needing vitamin C, how it is in fruits and veggies, how it is good to take when you're ill, and many other great things about its value. I'm betting that most of us take it either alone or in a multi-vitamin. 

As always, foods are the best way to get any vitamin or mineral but most of us don't eat enough, or eat right, to get everything we need. And sometimes we're battling issues where an extra bump is needed either temporarily or ongoing. There are tons of ways to add some extras to your foods (that'll be another blog, of course :-)).

When buying Vitamin C in supplement form, if you're like me, you opted for a well-known label and thought nothing more about it. Knowing it's water soluble and that your body uses what it needs and flushes the rest you may have opted for time release or small dosages to take throughout the day. 

A while back I picked up some powder form by NOW at Sprouts and have been adding it to my smoothies (doing whatever I can to decrease the number of pills I take!). I have never given it a second thought. I just finished off the large bottle and, coincidentally, came across a short blurb about vitamin C that spurred me to look into it a bit more.

Can NOTHING be simple? :-) 

It turns out that there are a variety of types, some absorb better than others and...and...and... In looking into Vitamin C I also found that it does much more than I thought! Who knew it was good for your memory? 

First the types, then the benefits.

Types

Ascorbic Acid - 

Synthetically made but identical to natural C. It's also the cheapest. Acidic and causes some to have stomach issues due to the acidity. From what I've read it is derived from fermented GMO corn...thus I would not be an advocate of using this one.

There are a number of mineral ascorbates that SOME say are less troublesome to those with gastrointestinal issues. They are considered "buffered". However, you need to look at the max daily (or cumulative) dosage for the mineral, especially if you are taking multi vitamins or take the minerals individually.

- Calcium Ascorbate (may be good for bone health but there's some debate about calcium so do some research),
- Magnesium Ascorbate (good for leg cramps, pooping regularly and other things),
- Sodium Ascorbate (be careful with this one if you have salt issues, high blood pressure - 1,000 mg of sodium ascorbate contains roughly 111 mg of sodium).
- Potassium Ascorbate
- Zinc Ascorbate
- Manganese Ascorbate
- Molybdenum Ascorbate
- Chromium Ascorbate

I probably missed a few...the list is long.

Studies have shown that there doesn't seem to be any clinical difference between the synthetic and natural and both are equally bioavailable. Yours truly thinks natural, "real" is always better.

Ascorbate and Vitamin C Metabolites -  

Ester-C is patented calcium-ascorbate with a bit of calcium threonate, xylonate, lyxonate, and dehydroascorbic acid. The maker claims it had higher absorption rates into the blood but a 2008 study showed equal amounts with regular Vitamin C. However, there was a higher concentration in the white blood cells.

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (antioxidants; polyphenolic compounds found in plants)

One study showed it had a 35% higher absorption rate than regular ascorbic acid. However there are numerous studies that show no difference. Purportedly easier on the digestion system also. Again, there are those who disagree with that statement. I suppose it is up to you to discover whether it's true or not for your particular stomach!

Liposomal Vitamin C

It has a fat-soluble coating that increases absorption. Saw a number of studies showing increases in absorption.

Ascorbyl Palmitate

Typically this one is used in skin creams, lotions, etc. as it is absorbed better. The formulation makes it fat soluble rather than water soluble. I've read quite a bit about Vitamin C being great for our skin and use a cream that includes it. I'll be checking to see which Vitamin C is used after I finish this post! This type is also used to preserve food.

Vitamin C with Rose Hips (the fruit of the rose plant)

Rose hips are high in Vitamin C and numerous other antioxidants and is easily absorbed. Typically they combine synthetic ascorbic acid with rose hips.

D-Isoascorbic acid (Erythorbic acid)

Used as a food antioxidant in the United States.

Ascorbyl palmitate

Used to increase the shelf-life of things with vegetable oils like chips, etc.

The benefits of Vitamin C

• Increases iron absorption
• Helps improve memory
• Supports the immune system
• Helps with periodontal health
• Helps to prevent colds & respiratory problems
• Good for heart health
• Helps to prevent seizures
• Helps to prevent blood infections
• Great for skin
• Supports the formation of collagen and L-carnitine
• Has been shown to slightly lower blood pressure
• Helps reduce the chances of getting gout
  

Who should take Vitamin C?

Well, I'm definitely not a doctor or trained practitioner but unless you're eating a good supply of veggies and fruits I'd posit that most of us need extra. Especially if you smoke, are stressed, bruise easily, have toxin issues like exposure to mercury (fillings in teeth?) and lead, live in areas with higher pollution, have joint pain or bleeding gums.

The type I'm going to look for (and will update this blog as I find)

- ones made from natural foods like camu-camu, acerola berry, orange peel, and/or rosehips

Things to watch out for when choosing a Vitamin C supplement

They love to put cheap fillers in vitamins, especially the chewable, that, in my opinion, negate the benefits. Sugar, sucralose, stearic acid, natural flavors, artificial flavors and colors, carageenan, vegetable magnesium stearate, rice powder (if you're on a low-carb diet) are ingredients that would have me putting it back on the shelf. You may pay more for quality but it's not really paying more if you're getting something that works AND doesn't have crap in it that will hurt you. 

There are other things I watch out for when buying vitamin supplements that may not be an issue with Vitamin C supplements. I'll let you know if I find them as I wander around on-line looking for a good Vitamin C. Right now I'm leaning toward buying either camu-camu or acerola powder. It looks pricey at first glance but when I cost it out it seems to be very reasonable.

What dosage?

Generally, from what I've read, it's safe up to around 3,000 mg a day. After that you'll probably be sitting on the toilet regretting those high doses. However, if you break it up throughout the day even higher doses can be tolerated without diarrhea. 

2,000 mg per day is what seems to be the general consensus on dosage that I ran across for prevention of gout, decreasing blood pressure, fighting infections. However, if you consistently take high doses it may increase your chances of getting cataracts and some say cause kidney stones. Conversely, studies have shown that Vitamin C helps to prevent cataracts. Balance. It's always about balance.

The "official" recommended minimum daily range is between 65 and 90 mg with smokers needing an addition 35 mg. Per ConsumerLab.com (where I do a lot of research; paid site) the dosage between 50 and 100 mg is "sufficient for most adults". 

The recommended dosages are set for the minimum requirements to live. You know how you eat, what you eat...if you're eating a lot of fresh organic veggies you're probably good to go without supplementation unless you've been exposed to some nasty virus or illness, or you feel yourself fighting something, or you're stressed, or you don't exercise, or you live with any kind of pollution, or if you are exposed to toxins, mold...or...or... OK, OK, take a supplement when in those situations! :-)

I'm an advocate of breaking it up through the day no matter what dose you take. That's one of the reasons I switched to adding a powdered Vitamin C to my smoothie or daily drink. I mix a large bottle in the morning with my C and other powders and drink it all day, adding water or herbal tea or ice to keep it fresh and filled. 

Little tidbits of interest

One study found that only 50% of time released Vitamin C was absorbed, another found that the slow release was equal to taking small doses. Could be some formulas are better than others?  

Vitamin C increases your bodies ability to absorb iron. (Personal note: I learned last year that I have a condition where I have high iron in my blood. Supposedly, from the research I did, the only way to get rid of the excess iron is to donate blood. I need to do a bit more research on it and, given the increased absorption rate with Vitamin C, may need to back away from taking it as a supplement. I do know that excess iron in your system can cause some not-so-good health issues.)

Your body can't manufacture Vitamin C so you have to get it in your foods or as a supplement

Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen

More info (and where I got some of my info):

https://www.iherb.com/blog/vitamin-c-forms/994

https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C/supplemental-forms

https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C/supplemental-forms

https://modernalternativemama.com/2015/10/19/how-to-choose-the-best-type-of-vitamin-c/

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/lindsey/benefits-of-vitamin-c-and-vitamin-c-types

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/

Shankhapushpi (Dwarf Morning Glory, aloe weed, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Clitoria ternatea, Evolvulus alstinoides, Codonopsis pilosula, Canscora decussate)

Well, dingbat here, was digging through my refrigerator bin with powders and herbs and found my bag of powdered Shankapushpi (or Shankhapushpi). I have a tendency to get interested in something, buy it and USE it...but this is one I remember getting during a really stressful time, I tried it for a bit, and I put it in the fridge for "later". It slid to the bottom of the bin and my mind. 

The plus side to coming across it this morning is that I get to be excited about trying it again so it's a two-fer??? Not exactly excited but I'm off doing some re-research to re-learn why I bought it. If I remember correctly it didn't do much for my sleep but it could be that it needs to build.

It sounds really good but I've gotten a bit jaded when it comes to all the things out there that are said to do wonderful things, especially when they have such a long list of benefits. Not doubting they work but none of them are miracle workers and what works for one person may not for another. It could be that this will help me personally in one area but not another. Getting ready to start again and find out!

It has many reported benefits for the brain AND to a lesser degree for sleep, two big areas of interest for me. In reading about it the memory enhancement and cognitive benefits top the list as to reasons people use it. The list of what it purportedly does/helps with includes:

• Memory enhancement (long-term), improved concentration & mental fatigue, & focus
• Alzhiemer's disease & other dementias (here's an interesting bit about two of the different types of Shankhapushpi: https://www.jpionline.org/index.php/ijpi/article/view/827)
  
• Epilepsy
  
• Depression
• Ulcers
  
• 
  Stress & anxiety
• Sleep
• Headache prevention
• Skin health
• Digestion 
• Cardio health
  
• Learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism
  
• Liver disease
• Nausea & vomiting
• Bronchitis & asthma
• Graying hair, hair loss
• Diabetes
  

A few tidbits:

• There are four (4) plants known as Shankhapushpi: Convolvulus pluricaulis, Clitoria ternatea, Evolvulus alstinoides (found it called Vishnukarandhi, Vishnukrantha, Vishnu-kranta, Vishukarandi, and Sankaholi), and Codonopsis pilosula. Update: just came across a site that says the four are Convolvulus pluricaulis, Evolvulus alsinoides, Clitoria ternatea, and Canscora decussate with the first being the "true" Dwarf Morning Glory. Yikes, now we're up to five plants and who knows how many names... Sigh. Ya'll are on your own...I'd need a doctorate to figure out which one is true at this point. I have Evolvulus alstinoides...which a number of sites said was "the best". Who knows? They generally all said they did the same thing in reading.
  
• You can use the oil, capsules, syrup, powder, juice or make a decoction.
• It's a perennial Indian plant (also found in Burma)
  
• 
  Check with your doctor if you're taking medications to lower your blood pressure or have any other health issues. I didn't see any big warning signs about taking it but it's always advisable to go slow with anything new you're adding.
  
• At extremely high doses it can slow down your respiratory system so make sure you stick to the recommended doses. I always cycle things like this just to be on the safe side. I also cycle things to make sure my body doesn't adjust to whatever I'm taking --- sometimes your body adjusts and quits making its own cancer fighters, sugar regulators, etc. All we're trying to do with supplementation is enhance, not kill or suppress, what our body can do for us if treated well.
  
• There is some debate as to whether the shankpushpi from Clitoria ternatea or Convolvulus pluricaulis is the best...seems that the Clitoria ternatea wins out for purists but it seems the Convolvulus is more common. I plan to do a bit more reading on this one...came across it late in my research. Not sure which one I have either so going to grab my bag to see. Update: I have Banyan Botanicals, Evolvulus alstinoides (saw it called Vishnukranthi on one site) also known as Dwarf Morning Glory herb per the label on the bag --- which means yours truly has more research to do! I am going to look it up using the common title, see if I can find out what the difference is between the three I have now come across. Traveling an interesting investigative trail. :-)
  
• The blooms closely resemble those of the Morning Glory so you'll see that mentioned frequently if you're out reading. It's not morning glory so don't go getting high on those morning glory seeds :-).
  
• Throughout history it has been a major part of Ayurvedic medicine practice
• It has a bitter taste so you may want to mix it with something sweet if you're not taking capsules

Dosage

The dosage suggestions vary widely and depend sometimes on what you're trying to achieve. I'm going to start with a half teaspoon twice a day, once in the morning and another at night. For brain and memory I saw doses as high as two teaspoons three times a day with the last being taken before bed to enhance sleep (which definitely helps the brain). I plan to start slow. I'm more into prevention of memory issues at this point so doubt I'll go to the higher doses.

More reading if you're interested. Much more depth than I provided above:

Effect of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. on learning behavior and memory enhancement activity in rodents: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19610035/

https://supplementsinreview.com/nootropic/convolvulus-pluricalis-nootropic/ 

https://learn.1balance.com/post/benefits-of-shankhpushpi/

Comparative nootropic effect of evolvulus alsinoides and convolvulus pluricaulis: https://ijpbs.net/abstract.php?article=NTk2 

https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/shankhpushpi-benefits-uses-dosage-formulations-and-side-effects

https://lifeseasons.com/shankhpushpi

https://rootbabes.com/shankhpushpi-benefits/

https://harmonyveda.com/2020/01/09/know-shankhpushpi-benefits/

https://www.gyanunlimited.com/health/top-10-wonder-benefits-of-shankhpushpi-convolvulus-pluricaulis/11551/

A short one on two new things I'm doing for sleep...

I have a full-blown on-going blog about sleep on the sidebar if you'd like more on sleep hacks, tips, things to try. These are my two latest additions and thus far both seem to be helping. 

Addition #1 - Ashwagandha 

I make a cup of herbal tea at night. I do it about 3 hours or so before I go to sleep to mitigate the mid-night or 2a.m. bathroom trip. Kinda silly to go through all these hoops for good quality sleep and have it interrupted by a full bladder, right? :-)

I mix my own teas and the one I drink at night is one blended for my specific needs so I won't bore you with the ingredients. However, one thing I do that you may want to try is adding turmeric and ginger. I use ginger and turmeric root, readily available at most grocery stores, and pop thin slices in the tea. I'm working on a turmeric blog will try to remember to pop back on here and link when I get finished. I also add my nightly Calm (magnesium) to the cup (leg cramps, brain, pooping...it's not the only magnesium I take, each type has different benefits...guess I need to do a magnesium blog?). 

The NEW addition is ashwaghanda root. 

I was out and about on-line doing some research and came across the tidbit that it helped with sleep. I use the powder in my smoothies and it is also in a few of the brain supplements I take but it's probably all out of my system by the time I go to bed. Guessing on that one. Could be that just giving it a boost at night is what does the trick.

I started experimenting with it, adding it for a few nights running to my tea bag, missed it off and on. I noticed that my deep sleep improved when I added it to my night tea. I'm still tracking to see if it holds true but so far it's a winner. I work more on my deep sleep than I do on length of sleep. Dave Asprey has a lot on deep sleep, need to get back over and read some more of his "stuff". 

Addition #2 - Quinine (in Tonic Water) 

I recently had my veins done (hereditary issue, thanks mom :-)). I asked the vascular surgeon about the leg cramps I suffer through fairly often. He said that while he couldn't, as a doctor, tell me to do it many of his patients swore by tonic water. 

The magnesium I take doesn't seem to do much for my particular type of leg cramps...then again, maybe they'd be horrific if I didn't take it every night! I don't plan to find out.

So...I went out and did some reading and then went on a hunt for some tonic water that I'd drink at the local grocery stores. Bleh. They all had sugars, sucrolose, a variety of additions that I would never put in my body.

I finally found one at my local Kroger. Their Diet Tonic Water doesn't have a sweetener in it. I bought a 99 cent bottle to see if it helped. 

Wow. I haven't had leg cramps since I started drinking it. I have no idea if it's a placebo effect -- don't believe it is as I've "believed" in other things that supposedly worked on leg cramps that didn't for yours truly. I do think that everyone's body is different and maybe this is the thing that works on my particular type of leg cramp but maybe not yours. It's a cheap thing to try and if it works I will expect a hug if we ever meet. 

I use it in the tea mix I mentioned in Addition #1 to cool my tea. I leave space in the top of the tea cup and add it. I'll also put a little in my daily drink mix off and on but not consistently. 

Note: I gather that quinine is also known as cinchoa or Countess powder. Guess who's off to do some research? Could be that I can just buy some of the powder and use it, or maybe the root for my tea. It's very bitter so maybe I'll just stick to the tonic water.

Have you tried either of these? Doing something I've missed? Experimenting? Figured out ways to improve your deep sleep? Check out my blog on the sidebar and let me know if I should add anything to my list. Thanks! 

Hope you have a healthy, restful, 2021.

Side tip re: Calm --- I buy it on Amazon, have it on their Subscribe and Save program. I was at Costco recently and they had a much larger container (20 oz vs 16 oz) for a dollar more than Amazon's smaller container. I grabbed one. I just popped over to Amazon and noticed they've dropped the price for the 16 oz container by $2. Ha. Keep an eye on it if it's something you use as there may be more price changes!

Toxic Mold

The studio about 3 years ago, prior to
enclosing the porch.

Finding out first-hand about mold. A short time ago I noticed a bit of mold on the ceiling of my studio. I've had the studio for 17 years and never had an issue. At first I thought it might be coming from the exterior as I hadn't cleaned the gutters on that side of the building. So...I sprayed the ceiling mold with some bleach containing cleaner that said it would kill mold and cleared off the gutters.

The next day, more mold in another area. The third day I started finding it everywhere. Behind pictures on the wall. On the wood shelving. I kind of internally panicked. I'm not one to get overly, openly panicky. But in two weeks, weekend after next, I have a studio tour. Advertised for six months. First show since the pandemic. Two other artists planning to be with me, also advertised. Yikes.

Studio "cleaned up" for the Studio Tour a
few years ago.

I didn't quite realize what I was getting into when I decided to do a whirlwind "fix". I immediately ordered a dehumidifier. Then I called some mold mitigation companies. One of them very nicely walked me through everything. 

He queried me about the environment. Nope, hadn't been running the air conditioner and no, didn't have a dehumidifier but had ordered one. He told me the type I needed and said if that wasn't what I ordered to not even bother opening the box. I cancelled delivery and ordered the one he recommended.

He said I could probably handle everything myself IF it was pretty much surface due to dampness in the studio. No known leaks so maybe it is simply due to COVID, not using the studio and air conditioner as I didn't have any shows, spent more time in my garage "studio" painting.

Sooooo clean!

I ordered a storage pod (just under $300 for a month...the transport of it being the biggest chunk of that). My friend heard about my situation and brought over an industrial dehumidifier for me to use until mine arrived. 

I turned on the air conditioner. It ran for a few hours then quit. Oh joy. Another expense. At least it's winter and I can postpone that one until next year. Although, they're probably cheaper right now. Adding that to the list to check into ASAP. 

A few days into
cleaning the mold.

I started taking art off the walls. It's weird. One piece will have mold on it, the next won't. Same materials. The mitigation guy said just toss everything in the Pod, not to worry about cleaning it off until time to put things back. I totally disagree with him on that one...putting mold into that closed in, dark container means it will grow and ruin even more things. 

I told him it was a studio --- I'm sure he pictured some cute little painters studio like one might see in a photo. Ha. I paint, I do ceramics, I do mosaics, I do mixed media, I have done and have all the stuff to do stained glass...and I never say no to anything that I think I might be able to use in any of those endeavors. 

Hadn't done much aside
from take down art from
the wall when I took
this pic.

Picture wall-to-wall shelves filled with glass, tile, paints, broken jewelry, ceramic art in the works, bowls...oh, never mind. There is NO way you can picture it as I didn't even realize what I had accumulated until I decided I could empty the studio and clean everything as I took it out... I had the idea that I would devote three days to cleaning and moving everything, then have my son come decontaminate it and then leisurely move things back within another 3-day time-frame. I planned to leave a chunk of things in the Pod, move just enough to be able to have visitors to the studio. 

Where's the laugh sound track when I need it???

I'm six days in and still haven't emptied the studio. I have, however, filled up two truck loads and taken them to the dump. I have teared up numerous times as I tossed something into the truck that had memories and meaning. I have tossed some of my own art that I will never replicate. I have thrown out well over a thousand dollars in tools (wood), art books & magazines and I haven't gotten to the shelving that is going to need to be thrown away and replaced.

Every day I take things out into the sun,
spray, then cart them back inside ---
I don't want to put them in
the storage pod if I can see mold.

When my son comes out it may be that he finds mold in the attic. I had the roof replaced. He thinks it's possible the old roof had a leak and that the new roof sealed in the moisture. If he is correct, and I hope he isn't, then I'll need to pull out the ceiling and quite possibly tear out the walls and replace everything. Luckily he can do a lot of the work --- but he has a family that needs him around so I don't want him exposed to mold and I don't want him to spend too much time away from them. They bought a house and he's completely re-doing the interior. The last thing he needs is another project! Especially given he's busting butt trying to keep his business viable during COVID. ]

My health is another issue. I'm healthy but mold can change that quickly. I've upped a few of my supplements, am drinking more fluids and I'm wearing a mask. But I can see the mold spores flying sometimes when I pull out a piece of material or open a drawer. Which is another weird thing about mold --- I have a lot of those plastic drawer sets. I will open one with broken tiles or glass for mosaics and will see mold. I'll open the one above or below and zip, nada, no visible mold. I'm spraying everything with mold killer no matter whether I see it or not. AND I have a couple of containers with bleach and mold killer where I'm tossing smaller things to soak.

What a crazy mess. I keep thinking "if only I'd run the air conditioner", "if only I'd gotten a dehumidifier", "if only I'd run the kiln like I normally do"... Ah well, my time machine is broken and I'm stuck in this time-line. I'm generally not one to dwell on what I coulda-shoulda except to make sure it's seared into my brain not to repeat a negative...but it's kinda hard NOT to think those thoughts when spending hours and hours sorting, cleaning, tossing, and lamenting losses. 

Oh, almost forgot --- had the studio professionally pressure washed and the gutters cleaned a couple of days ago. No mold on the outside. I'll be doing that regularly now. Lesson learned. Many lessons from this fiasco!

I'll keep you posted. Right now I'm heading out to walk with a friend --- going to fill my lungs with clean air and my brain with clear, positive thoughts!

8th Annual Southern Hands Artist Studio Tour Live and On-line

Artists open their studios to the public the 2nd weekend in November!

Southern Hands Artist Studio Tour, a free self-guided tour of artist studios, similar to a tour-of-homes or gardens, will be held Saturday, November 14th and Sunday, November 15th this year. Several artists are also open Friday, November 13th. Art students and art-lovers of all ages are invited to come be inspired and learn a bit more about the wide variety of art talent in their community.

Tour artists are located in Fayette and Coweta counties and in Chatt Hills, South Fulton. The variety of art covers the spectrum to include painting, bronze sculpting, fused glass, weaving, ceramics, jewelry, woodturning, fabric art, photography, and mixed media.

Southern Hands Artist Studio Tour (SHAST) is adapting to ensure art-lovers across the Metro Atlanta area can safely visit artist’s studios.

Chair Suzanne Kleese-Stamps shared, “Masks will be available to visitors and studio set ups will allow for easy social distancing.”

She continued, “We’re also excited to add a new way for those who aren’t comfortable going to studios to enjoy and purchase art. We are launching a virtual tour that will start December 1st and be live through December 31st.”

Visitors can find Tour Booklets at various locations around the South Metro area with times, a listing of artists, photos, events and a map or can visit the tour website, www.SHASTour.com, for a printable tour booklet, map, events and other information on the live and virtual Tour.

New artists join the Tour each year and 2020 is no exception! Internationally known sculptor Nnamdi Okonkwo, bronze artist Mike Sluder, jeweler Andrea Winkler, fine artist Dianne Cutler, woodturner David Oehrke, charcoal artist Caitlin Collins, floral designer Dawn Hunt, and painter Heather Bergholt will be in their own studios or will be guest artists in other artist’s studios. Two emerging artists are participating this year, mixed media artist Katie Turner and photographer Mac Aughey. Returning artists include Cheryl Jashek, Austin Lindsey, Bill Turner, Sherry Cook, Seth Fitts, Janet McGregor Dunn, Suzanne Kleese-Stamps, Andrea Faye, Carla Cook-Smith, Jennifer Stott, Taryn Cuper, Denise Prince, Hanley Lewis, Gail Jensen, Helena Marette, Manasi Joshi, Cheryl Krebs and Charles Tryon.

Participating artists demonstrate their techniques throughout the day. Check the website for a list of special demos such as raku firing, kiln openings, glaze demos and more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to play with clay, do a bit of painting, make ornaments or try their hand at weaving and other art activities. Art is available for sale during the tour. Many of the artists offer classes or are available for private lessons.

SHAST was started by local ceramic artist Andrea Boswell to educate those curious about the creative process and to inspire future artists. Her vision has expanded and each year the all-volunteer Board selects two art-related charities to support.

SHAST, a 501(3)c non-profit, is held the 2nd weekend in November. Attendance is free. Many make this an annual event bringing family and friends. Along with art, information and fun, guests enjoy a variety of refreshments at each studio.

Each year local galleries and other businesses support SHAST through donations and sponsorships. This year Piedmont Insurance Associates, Inc., Stamps Store Fixtures, Chatt Hills Gallery, Paint Space, and Talk Time Speech and Language Services, LLC are a few of the generous supporters of the Tour

To learn more about SHAST call Andrea Boswell at 678-641-1247, email info@shastour.com, visit www.SHASTour.com, follow along on Twitter: @shastga, Facebook: artstudiotourga, Instagram: shastour_ga or sign up for SHAST Blasts on the website.

Great article on Creatine...

She sometimes talks (and writes) way over my head as I'm an artist, not a scientist or doctor, but I always understand enough without having to go get a medical degree... So, here's one of Dr. Rhonda Patrick's breakdowns of the latest and greatest on creatine.

https://www.foundmyfitness.com/topics/creatine
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that plays major roles in the storage and release of cellular energy. It also participates in a wide range of biological processes involved in improving pregnancy outcomes, maintaining bone mineral density and muscle mass in the elderly, improving neurological function, and aiding the immune system to fight cancer. Creatine is perhaps best known for its widespread use as a dietary supplement to enhance physical performance...

• Contents [Hide]
1Creatine uptake, synthesis, storage, and supplementation
1.1Creatine uptake
1.2Creatine synthesis
1.3Creatine storage
1.4Creatine supplementation
2Creatine and methyl metabolism
3Creatine and cellular energy production
4Creatine and physical performance
5Creatine and age-related muscle loss
6Creatine and metabolic regulation
7Creatine and pregnancy
8Creatine and neuroprotection
8.1Creatine and cognitive performance
8.2Creatine and depression
8.3Creatine and neurodegenerative disease
8.4Creatine as a therapy for traumatic brain injury
9Creatine safety profile
10Conclusion
---
•Creatine episodes
•Creatine news

Cancellations due to Coronavirus and the Impact

Everyone is hearing about people stocking up, hoarding, canceling vacations and business trips. The media is constantly ratcheting up our heartbeats, adding to fears...and who knows yet whether this will just be another Y2K type scare or a real pandemic?

We're watching the stock market on a downhill trajectory. Many of us have heard how this could impact drugs and supplements, electronics, other items we use regularly. The big guys are more than likely going to weather this one. They may take some hits but they will recover.

It's the small guys who are going to be hurt the worst. They may not have viable back-ups for their suppliers. They are often on a shoe-string budget. They don't have the advertising dollars. They may not have a huge Internet presence.

Have you thought about the small businesses that depend on trade shows? They are the lifeblood for untold numbers of companies across the globe. Many companies don't have storefronts, they sell mostly at trade shows. There is an entire workforce that makes their living working these shows in various capacities. Not to mention the hits the promoters and convention centers are going to take as they are forced to cancel or see dwindling visitors. We are going to be buying more and more on-line.

I wish my results looked this good!

Personally, I've decided to revive my garden. I am going to need some new gardening tools. I figure it's going to get harder to get fresh foods whether this is a real threat or not --- fear is going to choke the food industry, too. I have always preferred food I grew myself, may as well use this to spur my butt to get back to it! I traveled a lot in the past and it was hard to keep plants going. I've cut back on my shows...and now the Coronavirus is cutting back on the shows I can do...so, no excuses. Time to grow some maters! If it will ever stop raining...

I wonder how this is going to impact concerts? The theater? Restaurants? Hotels? Small grocery stores? Small retail businesses? Realtors? --- the more we fear contagion the more we're going to stay home. I'm not letting it stop me but dang...go to any store and they are our of the useless face masks...the bleach, alcohol, peroxide shelves are emptying...cleaning supplies and germ killers are disappearing... Oh, and as I shopped yesterday at Wal-Mart the stockers were talking about their emptying shelves, how they were having to substitute products when doing the shopping for those coming for pick-up...canned goods are a hit currently!

Here's just the first page of a quick search I did about trade shows canceling:

1. How trade shows have been hit hard by coronavirus - BBC News
   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51439403

   The show, which is due to take place 5-15 March, is one of the most important events in the motor industry calendar, as the platform for some of the world's most high-profile new car launches.
2. CP+ 2020 Trade Show Canceled Due to Coronavirus Fears
   https://www.pcmag.com/news/cp-plus-2020-trade-show...

   CP+ 2020 Trade Show Canceled Due to Coronavirus Fears. The Camera and Photo Imaging Show was set to take place in Yokohama, Japan from Feb. 27 and attracted nearly 70K visitors last year.
3. MWC 2020 canceled over coronavirus health concerns - The Verge
   https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/12/21127754/mwc...

   

   Feb 12, 2020 · After coronavirus threatened to throw MWC into chaos, the GSM Association (GSMA), which organizes the show, has now canceled it. It comes after more than a week of exhibitors and companies pulling...
4. Trade Shows: Additional trade shows postponed due to corona
   https://www.sportswear-international.com/news/stories/Trade-Shows-Further-trade-shows...

   The effects of the coronavirus are spreading further. Now also the Denimandjeans Tokyo show (scheduled from March 4-5, 2020) has been postponed. Sandeep Agarwal, the organizer of Denimandjeans, says: “ We have been studying the virus situation for a few days and we felt that we could not take a chance on the health of our exhibitors, visitors and our team as well.
5. CP+ 2020 Cancelled due to Coronavirus - Newsshooter
   https://www.newsshooter.com/2020/02/14/cp-2020-cancelled-due-to-coronavirus

   CP+ 2020, one of the largest photography trade shows in the world has been canceled due to fears over the Coronavirus. The Diamond Princess cruise ship which is currently docked in Yokohama where CP+ was to be held has so far had 174 passengers diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.
6. Coronavirus forces cancellation, delay of trade shows ...
   https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/coronavirus-forces-cancellation...

   OVER two dozen large trade fairs and industry conferences in Singapore, China and elsewhere have been postponed due to travel curbs and concerns about the spread of a coronavirus, potentially disrupting billions of dollars worth of deals. Here is a snapshot of some of the major events that have been scrapped, postponed or scaled back.
7. Portland trade show canceled over coronavirus concerns ...
   https://www.kptv.com/news/portland-trade-show-canceled-over-coronavirus-concerns/...

   Organizers decided on Wednesday to cancel the show due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus and people traveling from China. The organizers say the coronavirus is already starting to impact...
8. Coronavirus: Major tech event canceled as Bay Area ...
   https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Coronavirus-Major-tech-event-canceled-as...

   Feb 12, 2020 · Coronavirus: Major tech event canceled as Bay Area companies stay away A major annual conference and trade show in Barcelona, Spain, that draws some 100,000 participants from Silicon Valley and...
9. What Event Organizers Need to Know About Coronavirus and ...
   https://www.tsnn.com/news/what-event-organizers-need-know-about-coronavirus-and...

   They’re reaching out to her as a result of groups wanting to cancel events without penalties, due to the coronavirus. What Event Organizers Need to Know About Coronavirus and Canceling Contracts | TSNN Trade Show News
10. Trade Show Executive :: Coronavirus Postpones Trade Shows ...
    https://tradeshowexecutive.com/archive/industry...

    BEIJING — A number of trade shows and B2B events in Shanghai, Macau and Guangzhou are being postponed due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus in China. Many postponements and cancelations are expected follow as officials around the world grapple with containing the rising number of people infected with the virus.

Epsom Salt..love soaking in a tub with it!

For as long as I can remember (adult remembering :-), I have loved soaking in a tub with added Epsom Salt. I used it quite a bit when I was running and doing a lot of weight work to ease my sore muscles. I still use it to relax, to help get rid of bruises, for ingrown toenails (once), and to help my sleep.

I love that it doesn't dry out my skin. It leaves it feeling nice and soft after a bath.

Many doctors, functional and traditional, suggest it for their patients to help with a number of health issues. I've compiled a list below of things that I came across while researching.

I always learn so much when I start researching a topic! I will definitely be taking more nice, long, hot baths at night before bed in the future. 

---------------------------------

Side note: Wondering why I'm focusing on Epsom Salts? A "traditional" doc ala one knows medicine but doesn't know nutrition or anything "natural", mocked, to a patient, a previous doctor's recommendation to take an Epsom Salt bath. First, what kind of doctor laughs at another doctor who trained the same way he did, plus extended their training to include more nutrition, more "whole-body" treatments? Second, why do that as a human being? I like the guy but that one really burned me... He missed the part where the doctor was pushing that same patient to have a scan to find out what was going on with her stomach, bowels, the hardness she felt when she did her exam... I'm betting he didn't check her stomach. Hmph. Not all doctors are alike. Some follow up, send emails to find out how their patients are doing, do extra research to find ways to help and think outside the box a bit within medical reason. OK, stopping my rant :-). But I do love my doctor...she is the first doctor I have ever had who listens, who asks questions, who goes above and beyond.

---------------------------------

Like many other "home" remedies there isn't a lot of research. But what there is does support it as a reasonable, useful addition to our home health arsenal. Unless something has money-making potential dollars don't flow for studies. Epsom Salt is cheap. It is never going to make those who fund studies, primarily drug companies*, any money.

Most of us know we can drink the stuff and poop like crazy. It tastes horrible, but it works. Just don't overdo it. Bleh. Why would you when magnesium works just as well? Oh, wait, Epsom salt is a mineral compound of magnesium...and sulfate. The full, correct, name is magnesium sulfate heptahydrate.  Still, magnesium, especially in drinks like Calm, works just as well.


Ever wonder where the word "Epsom" came from? Epsom is a spring in Surrey, England where it originated from and was distilled from the water. In today's world, it is derived from mining.

From Salt Works, https://seasalt.com/epsom-salt-uses-and-benefits
"Studies have shown that magnesium and sulfate are both readily absorbed through the skin**, making Epsom salt baths an easy and ideal way to enjoy the associated health benefits. Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body including regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, helping muscle and nerve function, and helping to prevent artery hardening. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins, and help ease migraine headaches.

Here is a list of things Epsom Salts, known to be anti-inflammatory, may help with --- some possibly better if you take it rather than soak in it, but then why not just take magnesium?:

• Arthritis pain and swelling
• Bruises and sprains
• Making insulin more productive
• Fibromyalgia
• Ingrown toenails
• Insomnia
• Psoriasis and other skin issues
• Sore muscles
• Athlete's foot
• Soreness from diarrhea during chemotherapy
• Flushing toxins (there is a lot of debate on this one in regards to detoxing via soaking in a tub)
• Sunburn pain and redness
• Decreasing the oil in your hair (mix some with hair conditioner)
• Blood pressure 
• Gout pain
• Exfoliating your skin
• Constipation (FDA approved as a laxative)
• Tired, swollen feet
• Reducing inflammation to help get out splinters (reducing inflammation is a good idea whether you have a splinter or not :-)) 
• Relieve pain from bug bites and bee stings
• There is one study that indicates soaking can help someone lose weight...I'm a bit skeptical on this one as I would weigh 10 lbs by now as many baths as I've had over the years!
• Fertilizing your yard
• Bug spray (for your yard, getting rid of pests on your plants) 
• Combined with dish soap it's good for scrubbing counters and tiles

This site has a long list of things that Epsom Salt can do, too. Check it out: https://preparednessmama.com/25-uses-for-epsom-salts/

Dr. Rosemary Waring, a British biochemist, Univerity of Birmingham, is a strong proponent of using Epsom Salts to help with autism and has a number of studies. Here are a few links that mention Waring as a source, the first two deal more with autism. I would suggest doing a search on Waring and autism if that is an area you are interested in pursuing.

• http://www.enzymestuff.com/epsomsalts.htm
• https://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/2011/03/forgotten-research-sulphation-and.html
• https://blog.paleohacks.com/epsom-salt/#
• https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/epsom_salt_as_a_home_remedy
• https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/11/28/sulfur-benefits.aspx 

Too much is not a good thing so be sure to read the package labels. Watch out if you are also taking a magnesium supplement. It can make some medications harder to absorb so check with your doctor if you're taking antibiotics or other medications.

Additions if you're using it in a bath:

• Olive oil
• Baking soda
• Peroxide
• Essential oils like lavender, frankincense, orange
• Apple cider vinegar
• Coconut oil
• Fresh rosemary (good for your memory also)
• Bentonite clay
• Here's a recipe for an oatmeal, rose soak that sounds great: https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-oatmeal-bath-recipe/

* I plan to do a blog on who funds studies at some point. I read that statement over and over in my research travels but haven't verified it myself.
** There is debate on how much if any is absorbed through the skin. There ARE studies showing it is absorbed...but there are skeptics, too. Well, actually, I found two articles that were skeptical and about a bazillion that promoted and said the salt was great. Figured in the interest of being fair that I should at least mention that some doubted.

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/epsom-salt-bath#1
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/epsom-salts-in-the-garden/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/epsom-salt/
https://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321627
https://seasalt.com/epsom-salt-uses-and-benefits

Another one I found fascinating re: Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia

I usually post articles on the pages (links above), and will add this one...but I found it so interesting I decided to give it special stand-alone billing on my blog :-). I am constantly amazed at what they are learning about our brains and how they work.

Can PET Match Up Areas of Protein Deposit With Alzheimer’s Symptoms?
Even though, overall, Alzheimer’s disease robs all people it afflicts of mind and memory, it progresses differently in different people. Its specific symptoms, their sequence, and how fast they worsen can vary quite a bit from one person to another. This used to be a tough nut to crack for researchers, but now, by combining data from multiple PET tracers in longitudinal study cohorts, they are beginning to decipher which regional pathologies provoke particular disease manifestations. The Human Amyloid Imaging conference, held January 15–17 in Miami, showcased the latest findings tying tangles, or plaques, to particular behavioral and cognitive impairments. Intriguingly, links between pathology and subtle symptoms emerged even in people who were still cognitively healthy. The data suggest that multitracer, and also multimodal, brain imaging may eventually allow researchers to predict how disease will progress in a given person...
https://www.alzforum.org/news/conference-coverage/can-pet-match-areas-protein-deposit-alzheimers-symptoms

Short Sleep Gene?

How I wish I slept...

I came across this article while doing some research on sleep studies. It really struck me as I have a "short sleep" gene...and I pretty much miss the mark when it comes to hitting over 6 hours of sleep. I am going to now have to set up alerts so I can watch this one.

I don't get tired. I am not sleepy during the daytime. I start getting tired around 9 or 9:30 p.m. and am generally out by 10 - 10:30.

Do you have trouble getting over 6 hours of sleep? Are you tracking your sleep and finding that you don't get sufficient REM and/or deep sleep? Read the article and let me know what you think!

Short Sleeper: Short Sleep Syndrome
If you usually get less than seven hours of sleep, you are probably a short sleeper. Many people are short sleepers due to lifestyle choices. For example, juggling work, recreation, and family responsibilities may not leave enough hours in the day to get the recommended amount of sleep each night.
But it’s not just the number of hours we spend asleep. It’s also the quality of your sleep that matters. Some people do not spend enough time in deep sleep. So, even if they get seven hours of sleep, it may not be good quality and restorative sleep they need.
If you are a short sleeper or do not get enough deep sleep, you might feel tired the next day and lack energy, which can affect your day to day activities.
https://www.sleepassociation.org/sleep-disorders/short-sleeper/


Some of my previous blogs on sleep:

https://ramblingjan.blogspot.com/2020/02/going-for-sleep-study-tips-for-getting.html

https://ramblingjan.blogspot.com/2020/02/suffered-through-sleep-study.html

https://ramblingjan.blogspot.com/2020/02/melatoninits-good-for-more-than-sleep.html

https://ramblingjan.blogspot.com/2020/02/to-sleep-or-not-to-sleepthat-is-question.html

Alzheimer's drugs...more failures and a few promising trials starting...

I've posted about the failure of mainstream Alzheimer's treatments before...I think the focus on amyloid plaques is mistaken. Yes, there seems to be some good reason to address the tangles and build up in the brain at some point. However, if you're not fixing the cause of the plaque attack then it's going to happen again and be potentially worse, possibly a rebound effect?

Thus far the ONLY treatments that are working for the long-term are those that test for health issues, change diets, lifestyles, add targeted high-quality supplements to stop the root causes. Take a look at my page with recommended reading (link above) and you'll see a number of books focused on functional healing and reversal of Alzheimer's Disease and other related brain issues.

Here's a few of the latest on drugs in testing and some getting ready to start:

EXCELLENT article...
As another Alzheimer's treatment fails, experts are divided on where to next
Before I have a chance to ask dementia researcher Amy Brodtmann about the failure of yet another Alzheimer's treatment, she wants to make one thing clear.
"Whenever these drugs fail, you can't underestimate how devastating it is."
After three decades of research and billions of dollars of investment, news that another Alzheimer's drug treatment has failed means an effective treatment for the common degenerative disease is still out of reach...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2020-02-26/alzheimers-drug-failure-raises-questions-about-research/11996258

My comments: At first, I thought, wow, great...although I much prefer to figure out the root causes, address those and keep it from happening...but for those looking for a magic pill the first part of the article seemed positive, as does the end...but the one sentence I pulled below shows the problems with treatments that don't address WHY...
A new treatment for Alzheimer’s
Their research has shown that, in small doses, the metal lithium is capable of reducing Alzheimer’s symptoms and could prevent the emergence of Alzheimer’s in people with a genetic predisposition to the disease. ...
...Yet the treatment cannot remedy the symptoms of Alzheimer’s once severe cognitive decline has set in; it is only effective in low doses over sustained periods before dementia symptoms appear...
http://www.mcgilltribune.com/sci-tech/a-new-treatment-for-alzheimers-250220/

ProMIS Neurosciences Initiates Natural History Study of Blood-Based Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease 
TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF), with Toronto Memory Program, Canada’s largest and most experienced memory clinic and site for drug treatment trials in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has initiated a pilot longitudinal study to assess the level of blood-based biomarkers in early AD with the support of Parexel, one of the world’s leading global clinical research organizations (CROs). ProMIS will leverage Parexel’s significant data management and central nervous system (CNS) expertise for the study, which it will use as the historical control arm for its anticipated Phase 1 study of PMN310, a novel antibody that selectively targets the toxic oligomeric species of amyloid beta, a root cause of AD. The dataset will help ProMIS detect a treatment signal as early as Phase 1, potentially allowing for rapid proof-of-concept at a fraction of the expense associated with traditional clinical trials. The dataset will be made available as a communal resource for Alzheimer’s researchers...
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/02/26/1990787/0/en/ProMIS-Neurosciences-Initiates-Natural-History-Study-of-Blood-Based-Biomarkers-in-Alzheimer-s-Disease.html

UPDATE 1-Roche drug fails in early-onset Alzheimer's disease study
* Study fails in inherited form of Alzheimer’s
* Roche says 2 additional trials to continue
* 100s of Alzheimer’s drug trials have flopped (Adds details throughout, comment from Roche)
https://www.reuters.com/article/roche-alzheimers/update-1-roche-drug-fails-in-early-onset-alzheimers-disease-study-idUSL8N2AA0QG

Drugs fail to slow decline in inherited Alzheimer's disease
Two experimental drugs have failed to prevent or slow mental decline in a study of people who are virtually destined to develop Alzheimer's disease at a relatively young age because of rare gene flaws
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/drugs-fail-slow-decline-inherited-alzheimers-disease-68881708
...The study tested solanezumab by Eli Lilly & Co., and gantenerumab by Swiss drugmaker Roche and its U.S. subsidiary, Genentech. Both drugs gave disappointing results in some earlier studies, but the doses in this one ranged up to four to five times higher and researchers had hoped that would prove more effective...

Israeli startup hopes to battle Alzheimer’s with enzyme-busting drug
After testing in lab, ProteKt Therapeutics says compound that inhibits the PKR enzyme can lead to cognitive improvements and slow the disease’s progress; road ahead is long
...Nisemblat is aware that the way ahead is long and precarious and because there is no clear, single cause of Alzheimer’s disease there is also “no single target” to aim at in trying to beat the illness.
“The traditional treatments are not beneficial,” he said. The industry has been seeking new ways to slow down the illness’s progression and halt patents’ deterioration...
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-startup-hopes-to-battle-alzheimers-with-enzyme-busting-drug/