Mushrooms...love 'em or hate 'em they're really good for your brain!

Intro: My old editor would be having a fit if I turned this one in for publication! Good thing it's a blog and I can ramble where I please without his red pen. And ramble I do. When I decided to look into mushrooms I figured one post, some good info on how they impact the brain, and then on to other topics. Whoa was I in la-la land. It is a HUGE topic. I had no idea mushrooms had so many wonderful properties, did so much for us. Forgive the way I jump around in this post. Now that my interest has been piqued I am on a mission and will be learning more...and I'm sure I'll be updating this one with some additions and maybe a few corrections...AND I'll be eating more mushrooms. I hope you will, too. - Janet

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I've crossed paths with the benefits from mushrooms for years. It's impossible to research brain health without seeing Lion's Mane mushrooms somewhere along the way. As I'm out reading about various health issues for myself and others mushrooms frequently pop up (ha ha). 

I have been taking Om Lion's Mane in capsule and/or powder form for a while. After doing some reading on the best to buy I am in the process of switching. I bought a powdered mix, Nourishing Nutrients Organic Mushroom Powder Extract Superfood (10 mushrooms: oyster, maitake, reishi, phellinus linteus, shitake, cordyceps, lion's mane, chaga, turkey tail, and wood ear). I also bought Genius Mushroom capsules as a temporary start for my husband who can't stand mushrooms. It has lion's mane, reishi and cordyceps but only two say they are the fruiting body. I have to figure out whether that's good or bad (see "A Caution" below).

Recently, as mentioned in a previous post, my cousin came to town carrying the Lion's Mane mushrooms he was growing, and babying. I briefly thought about growing my own mushrooms. Today I looked into it more fully and nope, I'll definitely be buying mine. I just don't have the needed dedication...my houseplants are surely waving their starving leaves in agreement. (Yes, I water them, but they need more TLC than I have time to give thus many of them are going to a new home soon. My niece just got married, has a new house and needs some greenery. Win-win.)

I do plan to follow along as my cousin continues on his mushroom adventure. Maybe someday I'll be buying mushrooms from him!

Despite my lazy-butt lack of growing mushroom enthusiasm I DO want more mushrooms in my life. 

I always have a mix of regular white button and portabella (love spell-check...it wanted to change that to potbelly :-)) mushrooms in my fridge. I've shied away from some of the others like shitake due to cost and lack of knowledge about taste, how to use them in dishes, etc. I much prefer to just pop a pill or dump some powder in my drinks rather than waste money on something I may or may not like. Or use. I'm the queen of buying something interesting and then letting it sit in the fridge until it rots. 

I may be buying shitake and others to cook by the time I finish researching this post --- which I gather is going to be an on-going project given the overwhelming amount of info I've already stumbled across.

I'm going to focus on mushrooms that are good for our brains for starters. Cancer is probably the next focus although I've already noticed that a large chunk of the brain mushrooms are also cancer fighters. 

All the mushrooms have multi-pronged health benefits. Many address inflammation which is a huge contributor to a decline in our brains. And, if mushrooms are good for your brain they're automatically good for a lot of other things.

A Caution

I suppose before I get into brain health assisting mushrooms I should point out that if you're buying supplements beware. I'll do a separate post with more on that soon. From my first-blush reading on the subject, I determined that supplements and powders should indicate "fruiting body". However (there is a however with every single thing I learned about mushrooms!): "In some species, the entire fungus—the mycelium and its fruiting bodies—contain medicinal substances, but in others only the fruiting body does. In others, only the mycelium contains those substances. Some products are made from the wrong part of the fungus, or they may include both mushroom and mycelium even if the species in question doesn’t invest both with medicine." - https://healing-mushrooms.net/tinctures-vs-extracts

ConsumerLab.com (paid research site) has only looked into one mushroom, reishi, and their findings were an eye-opener. Per their info the active ingredient that is thought be biologically active is 1,3-beta-D-glucan. The prices per the 1,3 in the reishi mushrooms supplements they tested ranged from 7 cents to $19 per 100 mg. That is a whopping range. The amount per serving ranged from a few milligrams to 250 mg. 

You need to do your research before spending your hard-earned dollars. (Yes, I'm going to be doing some studying and I'll share what I find.)

Back to the Brain...

Lion's Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) is the one that most probably equate with helping the brain. Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) is another that might be familiar. Cordyceps (Cordyceps Militaris or Ophiocordyceps Sinensis) comes up often also and you'll find the trio in many supplements. 

But you KNOW I am going to tell you there are others, right? Yep. I is. :-)

A 2019 Forbes article highlighted the impact mushrooms can have on brain health: "Working even a small amount of mushrooms into a diet could potentially lower risk of mild cognitive impairment – a typical precursor to Alzheimer’s disease." The study found that eating two portions per week on average cut the risk of developing MCI by 50%. Those in the study ate Golden, Shitake, Button and Oyster mushrooms as well as dried and canned mushrooms. (I linked to the study but you need to be a member to see all the details. It's probably out in the world somewhere if you look hard enough.)

The researchers believe the improvement is due to a compound called ergothioneine, a powerful antioxidant. It is something we can't manufacture in our bodies and is common to all the varieties. I'm going to check to see if there have been any follow-up studies. Given we were all quarantined across the world in 2020 I'm expecting to see a ton of new research as scientists probably had tons of time. :-)

They also contain another powerhouse, glutathione. 

Per a Penn State study the combo of ergothioneine and glutathione help to prevent Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's. The amounts of both vary among the various types with, per Penn State, the porcini species, a wild variety, having the highest they tested.

Given that mushrooms contain minerals, like selenium, potassium, copper, iron, calcium and phosphorus it's not surprising that they have a positive impact on memory, brain function, and/or, in some cases, amnesia.

A listing of mushrooms I have found thus far that may improve cognition and/or prevent decline:

All are anti-inflammatory and support the immune system. I did some picking and choosing when it came to deciding what to include in my bullet points. There are volumes and volumes of info on each mushroom on the Internet. Hopefully some of these will make it into your diet one way or another.

• Lion's Man (Hericium Erinaceus; also known as yamabushitake, satyrs’ beard or hedgehog mushroom)
• Along with other benefits it is known to stimulate neurons in the brain triggering a process called ‘re-myelination' that helps to maintain their ability to conduct electrical signals. One study found that a group with MCI taking the powdered version for 16 weeks "showed significantly increased scores on the cognitive function scale compared with the placebo group". When they stopped using the Lion's Mane powder their improvements decreased. (Knowing that little factoid will keep me from ever stopping it...and I may have to revisit growing my own!)
• It promotes the growth of bioprotien nerve growth factor (NFG --- seems like it should be NGF but it's NFG :-))
• They taste like lobster or crab
• Helps in the treatment of depression and anxiety
  
• Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
• Helps to protect against memory loss in the aging population. 
• Chaga is not really a mushroom even though you'll see it listed and sold as such. It's a sclerotium or woody canker that grows on birch trees.
• May help with keeping those wrinkles away as it is an antioxidant.
• Found to lower the so-called "bad" cholesterol (LDL)
• Also helps with cardiovascular health, immune health, DNA damage protection, and diabetes.
  
• Not good in foods as they're hard, too dense, and don't fully digest. Try a tea, powder or capsule.
  
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
• I understand that they don't taste the greatest. 
• They are a mood-booster along with having neuro-protective properties. 
• A research study in 2012 found that it may help with Azheimer's Disease, Huntington's and other neurodegenerative disorders.
  
• It promotes healing. 
• It is known to help with weight loss.
• Improves sleep.
• Reportedly fights cancer.
• A study by Pharmacological Reports in 2010 found that triterpenoid ganoderic acid found in reishi acted to inhibit the growth and metastasis of tumors
• Another bit of research in 2011 suggested it might find and eradicate cancer cells
  
• Chocked full of ganoderic acid, known to decrease cholesterol and lower high blood pressure.
• Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. 
• Said to promote longevity.
  
• Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
• Alliviates many of the symptoms associated with chemo.
• Anti-cancer
• Possibly the most studied of all the mushrooms on this list --- loads of good properties. Here's one of the best overviews of this mushroom, and others, that I found while wandering around the web-world: https://medicinalherbals.net/medicinal-mushrooms/
  
• Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
• Also known as "Hen of the Woods" and "dancing mushroom"
  
• Antiviral
• Helps to control glucose levels
• Helps to control hypertension
• Regular inclusion helps to cleanse the system by destroying abnormal cells
• Anti-cancer
  
• Shitake (Lentinula edodes)
• Good for lowering blood pressure, helping with circulation
• Lowered LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) in mice and inhibited absoprtion of cholesterol in the
  liver
• Has phytonutrients that which help to prevent plaque buildup
• Good for your skin
  
• 
  Meshima (Phellinus Linteus, Sang Hwang mushroom)
• Known as the "black foot" mushroom because it looks somewhat like a horse hoof. 
• The word actually translates to "Women's Island" and is good for menstruation and breast cell protection.
  
• Grown mainly on mulberry trees in Japan
• Has a bitter taste and is not good for eating.
• Traditionally used to treat diarrhea, hemorrhages, and gastroenteritis dysfunction. 
• Great tumor fighting capabilities, some of the strongest.
• Anti-aging --- full of components similar to resveretrol
• Immune system booster
  
• Agaricus Blazei (Almond Mushroom, Royal Sun Agaricus, Mushroom of the Gods)
  
• Caution with this one if you have any kind of liver issue. And, while it is noted for helping with cancer it may be a bad idea to use it if you have cancer given it could impact your liver so do your research! It is mentioned over and over as a great mushroom for those undergoing chemo to mitigate symptoms. I found only one place that cautioned regarding cancer treatment and liver issues. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-agaricus-89398
  
• Immune system booster
  
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Hepetitis
• Allergies 
• Asthma
• Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol
• IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
  
• Tremella (Tremella fuciformis)
• Skin
• Memory
• Bone health
• Metabolism
• Anti-aging
  
• Cordyceps
• Helps to prevent the death of neuronal cells. 
• Good for asthma, bronchitis, kidney disease, energy and performance. 
  
• Oyster
• High in protein and B vitamins
• A study posted in the International Journal of Oncology showed that these mushrooms had the most potent in suppressing the proliferation of breast and cancer as compared to shitake, portabella, and enoki mushrooms. From the abstract: "In conclusion, our results indicated that the edible oyster mushroom has potential therapeutic/preventive effects on breast and colon cancer."
  
• White button (Agaricus bisporus)
• Good for liver function
• Cholesterol
• Cancer (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444528247000135)
  
• Diabetes
• Healthy gut
• Anti-aging
• Weight reduction due to Oligopeptide and fibers which are high in nutrients that help in that area.
• A natural memory enhancer
• Here is a good list of the many pluses those very common, most often purchased, white mushroom have: https://foodthesis.com/white-button-mushroom-health-benefits-and-side-effects/
  
• Porcini (Boletus edulis, Hog Mushroom)
  
• Very delicate and some of the food sites say don't wash them, just wipe off the dirt as they'll deteriorate. Nope, not this girl. I may opt for canned just to give them a try. Given that Penn State's research determined they are highest in ergothioneine and glutathione I suppose I should include the hogs in my diet, snort, snort...
  
• High in protein, iron, fiber, Vitamin A and C
• Often confused with shitake mushrooms, which are cheaper and meatier (and can be washed).
• Promotes weight loss (must be the dirt 'cause you can't wash them :-))
• May kill colon cancer
• Anti-inflammatory
• Good for digestive health --- probably due to their high fiber content they are said to help with constipation
• Interesting article: https://draxe.com/nutrition/porcini-mushrooms/
  
• Poria Cocos (Wolfiporia extensa)
• Sleep and relaxation
  
• Nervous system, anxiety and memory
• Immune function
  

 Tidbits of interest

• There are over 38,000 known species of mushrooms according to one source, another source said 14,000 --- I'd like to know who is doing the counting! I came across one site that said over a million types out there in the world. (Yes, I'm going to look into this a bit more...)
• Wikipedia - 14,000 species (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom)
• This explains a bit why there are possibly so many different numbers: https://www.lanl.gov/museum/news/newsletter/2018/01/fungi.php and also https://www.wisegeek.com/how-many-species-of-fungi-are-there.htm
• I think some are just grabbing the guesstimates on total fungi, which includes more than mushrooms.
  
• 
  There are around 300 edible types of mushroom (beware of those that aren't edible...many look very similar)
• Ten (10) mushrooms are commonly grown commercially for consumers. 
• To get the benefits from ingesting mushrooms you need to do it consistently as they have a cumulative effect and you may not see changes initially. 
• Take a look at the negative side effects to ingesting some in excessive amounts before you get started. Don't think that "if a little is good for cancer, for my brain, weight loss, then more is better, faster". I didn't go much into the potential negatives... Do your research before dumping masses of mushroom powder into your smoothies or coffee!
• As with anything you're taking for medicinal or supplemental benefits it's a pretty good idea to occasionally take a break. Stopping for a short period every six months or so was the common suggestion I found. I do that with most of my supplements. I don't want my body to adjust to whatever I'm taking or quit doing its job because I'm swallowing pills and powders!
  
• Mushrooms are the only non-animal source of Vitamin D. Like humans they produce their own when exposed to sunlight.
• Cooking mushrooms doesn't appear to impact the amount of ergothioneine and glutathione.
• White button mushrooms are actually little baby portabella mushrooms. Cremini are a bit older portabellas (called teenagers in this article) - https://www.eater.com/2019/9/13/20863815/whats-the-difference-between-cremini-button-portobello-mushrooms (That may have been the biggest surprise in all of my reading about mushrooms!)
  
• Mushrooms are ingested as teas, tinctures, powders, capsules, raw, cooked. As with everything mushroom, there are varying opinions as to which is the best. Some don't work well eaten raw or cooked.
  
• https://healing-mushrooms.net/tinctures-vs-extracts
  
• China produces over half of all cultivated mushrooms
• Poland is the largest exporter of mushrooms
  

More info:

Just checking to see if you were paying attention!

Like this guy a lot: https://curativemushrooms.com/

Another fave compilation of info: https://medicinalherbals.net/medicinal-mushrooms/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2019/03/26/mushrooms-and-brain-health-new-research-finds-a-potential-link-worth-considering/?sh=7de34c751f1b

https://grocycle.com/medicinal-mushrooms-the-complete-guide/

https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad180959

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18844328/

https://foodrevolution.org/blog/mushrooms-nutrition-benefits-risks/

https://news.psu.edu/story/491477/2017/11/09/research/mushrooms-are-full-antioxidants-may-have-anti-aging-potential

https://www.spandidos-publications.com/ijo/33/6/1307

https://rxmushrooms.com/best-11-healthiest-mushrooms-to-eat/

https://urbol.com/mesima/

https://medicinalherbals.net/medicinal-mushrooms/

https://mushroomscience.com/agaricus-blazei/

https://foodthesis.com/white-button-mushroom-health-benefits-and-side-effects/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3738246/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20116660/

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/

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

Adding Michael Pollan to my reading, listening list...

I have Google Alerts set up on a number of topics, some fun, most serious and related to health (mine or someone in my family). I remember seeing Michael Pollan's name in some of the articles I've read but have not taken the time to listen or find out more. He has been around for quite some time.

Based on some quick reading this morning, Pollan speaks common sense. I love his 7 Rules for Eating. I agree with so much that was attributed to him in the article.

We are obsessed with health in the United States. Yet we have some of the worst eating habits and the worst rates of diseases. It seems everyone is on a diet. I prefer not to think of what I do as a diet --- that is a brain thing as to me a "diet" is negative in my mind, it is something temporary with a specific goal of losing weight for the majority. Sometimes it's a change in reaction to a health scare (heart attack, etc.).

I also think everyone has to find their own way, find a way of eating 

I eat a certain way, I tweak it as I learn more, as I pay attention to my body...but what I'm trying to do is follow Pollan's #1 rule --- I don't eat anything that my grandmother (in my case, my great-grandmother) wouldn't recognize as food. As part of that, I basically try to eat like most did before manufacturers started messing up our food by processing it, spraying our foods with tons of chemicals and pesticides, modifying our foods so they wouldn't die when sprayed with pesticides, filling our cattle with hormones and antibiotics, feeding fish, chickens, and cattle with "foods" they were not intended to eat...I could go on.

We wonder why we are so ill? Why younger people are in the midst of a diabetic epidemic? Why ADD is happening with more and more frequency? Why Alzheimer's Disease and dementias are rising...and to younger and younger ages? Why our population is so obese? It's more than one thing, it's not just food. But food plays a huge part in it!

OK, stepping down from that soapbox! 

I like his 2nd "rule" --- don't eat anything with more than 5 ingredients or ingredients you can't pronounce. And his 3rd --- stay out of the middle of the grocery store, shop the perimeter... and definitely his 4th --- don't eat anything that won't eventually rot!

On the 4th I do bend it a bit. Only because in a tiny, tiny way I am a mini-prepper. I want to have enough food to eat if we lose electricity for a few weeks (which happened to us a few years back during a winter snowstorm). I like frozen foods much, much better than canned or freeze-dried, but if you don't have a freezer ya gotta have somethin' to eat.

The rest of his rules are good also. 5 - don't eat so much, leave the table a little hungry, 6 - eat around the table with family, not the TV and 7 - don't buy food where you buy gas (or I gather if you read the rest, at fast food joints).

Of course, I paraphrased his rules. I would add a few others --- eat organic whenever possible (but especially the Dirty Dozen) and go Non-GMO to avoid all the extra pesticides if you can't find organic.

He is correct when he notes that our food "rules" have changed over the years. One day something is bad, the next it is good. Villains change to heroes overnight. We find that studies promoting certain lifestyles were done by the food industries that would benefit. We find that studies done that changed our way of eating were flawed. New science decides that salt isn't all bad, that cholesterol isn't the bad-guy they thought it was, that it's good to eat fats...and so on.

I'm going to check a few of his books out of the library. I'll let you know what I think. I may just go see if he is on YouTube first. I'll add some links below if I find anything interesting or new.

Ha --- just took a look at the videos and it seems that in addition to talking diet and food Pollan talks a lot about psychedelics. (Here's a first-pass search result: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=michael+pollan&qpvt=Michael+Pollan&FORM=VDRE)

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20090323/7-rules-for-eating#1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Pollan

Updated 3/1/20 - What is working when it comes to fighting Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias?

Pretty much the only things currently having any kind of an impact long-term on the fight against Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other forms of dementia all come from the functional side of the medical world.

That's not to say that when caught early the traditional treatments don't always fail. Sometimes, when combined with increased physical exercise, dietary changes and maybe some supplements, early intervention works and continues to work.

Sadly, most people don't talk to their doctors about failing memory until they are past the point of current traditional, mainstream medical treatments working to keep AD at bay. I have personal experience with that silence. Those close to this individual kept everyone in the dark, although to be honest we kind of noticed some signs, just didn't pick up on them as we don't see them except in short doses for holidays. The Bredesen Protocol (see other posts, plus some of my pages linked below the header) could have worked for her but they are no longer following. Long story on that one. Sad, makes me so sad, wakes me up at night thinking about what they are facing.

Anywaze...onto brighter thoughts. Oh, wait, no...the next part deals with the current status of treatments for dementias. Not good news.

Quotes from a variety of articles on the current status of "traditional" treatments (click the quote to read the entire article):

• Previous Alzheimer’s medications have targeted specific toxins that are abundantly present in diseased brains, such as the aforementioned beta amyloid. However, these drugs all failed once going into clinical trials, perhaps because they were only targeting one part of the problem.
• As drug trials fail to find an effective treatment for the most common form of dementia, could it be time to go back to the drawing board?
• Current drugs only temporarily ease symptoms and do not alter the course of the disease.
• Because there are no effective disease-modifying treatments currently available for Alzheimer’s, drugs and other approaches — such as nutritional supplements, or nutraceuticals — designed to stop or slow disease progression have become a focus of ongoing research
• On the treatment front, we still do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease, and we do not have a cure. The drugs that have been approved slow the progression of symptoms for a period of time, but then the disease takes over again. Someone with Alzheimer’s will die of it or with it.

Great article highlighting the general things we can do to help PREVENT dementia:

https://bewell.stanford.edu/boosting-brain-health/ 

I could have posted a thousand similar quotes. Almost every article has statements of hope about future treatments...but it's almost like they're tossing a tiny bone at the readers or maybe trying to give themselves hope. If you read my blogs, the comments I post on the pages (links above), you know I think they are barking up the wrong tree by focusing on amyloid plaques.

Now for some positive news!

However, we DO have current treatments that are working and have been working. They don't involve drugs and are multi-pronged so there's no money for grants, aside from some small ones for small groups. Also, most doctors have a tendency to look down their noses at what falls under the "functional medicine" heading. Even if their patients ignore their traditional advice and drugs and opt to change their diets, lose weight, exercise, take supplements --- and improve, get better.

I'm a prime example. I had high cholesterol. I balked at taking drugs. My doctor "allowed" me 2 months, which she "graciously" extended to three for me to try and decrease it with exercise and diet. I'll admit, I didn't do much research at the time, upped my exercise routine...and failed. She scared me sufficiently into starting to take the meds. She told me it was hereditary and I just had the gene, was stuck.

A bit later I made some serious changes to my diet. I went gluten-free (before it was a "thing"), took sugar out of my diet and then eventually moved to a plant-based diet. I was vegetarian initially. My cholesterol numbers dropped, I got off the meds...and got off my acid reflux medicine (which another doc said I'd be on for the rest of my life or risk esophageal cancer...they do like to scare one!).

If you're interested in HOPE as opposed to depressing news, a feeling of doom because you have a family history of dementia or Parkinson's, have been diagnosed with MCI (mild cognitive impairment), have found you have one or two APOE4 genes or have a family member dealing with Alzheimer's Disease take a look at the APOE4.info forum --- over 3,500 people who are focused on keeping dementia at bay. There are great success stories. There are many who are discovering the site and taking control of their health daily. You can also find some excellent Facebook groups.

NOTE: Many or most of the following docs see a role for traditional drugs and treatment, they just know that it's a much bigger picture. I agree. I think there is a place for drugs and applaud our great physicians who do a great job. I just think we have a personal responsibility to do our own research, do more than just pop a pill...

Pick up or check out one or all of the following books:
Dr. Dale Bredesen - An End to Alzheimer's
David Perlmutter - Grain Brain
Steven Gundry - The Plant Paradox
Amy Myers - The Thyroid Connection
Terry Wahls - The Wahls Protocol

Or check into Zack Bush, Mark Hyman, Stephen Phinney, Jeff Volek, Valter Longo, Jason Fung, Dave Asprey, Ivor Cummings, Sachi Panda, Rhonda Patrick, Peter Attia. (No particular order of preference and you'll like some, not like others!).

Melatonin...it's good for more than sleep...

...and there is debate as to whether melatonin supplements are truly good for sleep.

What?

The most commonly talked about sleep aid might not be good for sleep? Yikes.

I have been reading a lot about melatonin as it relates to sleep. I will read that taking it is good for sleep, that you need it when you're older and...that it's nothing but a placebo, that you shouldn't take it except possibly in small doses and then only when you're older or for jet lag...

The more research I do the stronger I feel that we just need to experiment and see if it works for us. But you do need to do your own reading, keep your dose low and make sure it's time release.

What else is melatonin good for? It impacts, in addition to sleep and circadian rhythms, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, cancer, and blood pressure.

Given all the ongoing research that has shown and is showing that melatonin, a hormone, impacts many, many parts of our body and health I have decided to keep it in my nightly regime. At low doses.

I was taking 5 mg at one point --- just grabbed what was on the shelf not knowing anything about dosing, "assuming" if that was all that was offered it must be right. Ha. I discovered quickly that the dose was too high. I was melatonin overloading, it was not helping, and was hurting. I did some reading, which I SHOULD have done before buying and compromised on 1 mg, time-release. Then I stopped taking it as I heard Matthew Walker say it had more of a placebo effect and was only good for jet lag. Then I started again when I read the next article touting the benefits. Then I stopped. Then I started.

Finally, I have taken the time to read everything I possibly could on the subject and settled.

For the past few nights, I have taken a double dose (2mg time release). It certainly didn't help my deep or REM sleep. But I did sleep longer.

I won't go higher than 2mg as everything I've read says 3 is too high. I wouldn't do 2 if it wasn't time release. I'm tracking my deep and REM sleep so I'll see if it helps. I may just put the tabs by my bed and take if I wake up in the middle of the night, do a bit of experimenting.

Why time release? Here's a quote from the first article below: "Natural melatonin levels are low early in the evening, rise steadily through the night, and peak in the last third of sleep. Because melatonin has a short half-life (about 30-45 minutes), taking a standard-release tablet around bedtime results in a peak early in the night and a tail toward morning — precisely the opposite of the natural pattern...He suggests taking time-released tablets around bedtime or sublingual regular-release products in the middle of the night."

One would hope that there were ongoing studies to help us figure out this one but, per the article below (Melatonin: Magic Potion or Unregulated Danger?) --- "There is little financial incentive for studying melatonin more thoroughly, primarily because it can't be patented and competes with the lucrative hypnotics market"...

Articles that sparked this blog:

Melatonin: Magic Potion or Unregulated Danger?
...there are certainly studies out there that suggest melatonin may be helpful for insomnia in older individuals, perhaps especially those who have significant declines in endogenous melatonin levels associated with aging," he said. "Those data, however, also show conflicting results."https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/922202?nlid=132930_5402&src=wnl_dne_191209_mscpedit&uac=127754CG&impID=2196787&faf=1#vp_2

What New Research Says About Melatonin and Sleep
Here is what you need to know about taking melatonin to help you sleep...

It’s almost getting easier to ask: what chronic diseases don’t melatonin play a role in? Recent years have seen a flurry of studies showing the protective and therapeutic benefits of melatonin in the fight against the most significant chronic diseases of our time—heart disease, cancer, dementia, diabetes... 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/202002/what-new-research-says-about-melatonin-and-sleep

Heartburn

https://healthyy.net/heartburn/melatonin-and-heartburn-how-it-helps

Treating Alzheimer's Disease

Everything I've read in the mainstream is a mix of depressing currently and hopeful in the future. Generally, prevailing "wisdom" is that once you're diagnosed you're doomed. You are going to progress.

I happen to be of a mindset that there are ways to stop the progression and reverse it in many cases, but not all cases (see above for links to stories, books, doctors, etc.). However, I see case after case where even at the later stages people have calmed, have improved, using things other than current medications and/or in addition to current medications.

One story that stuck with me was about a military gentleman with diagnosed Alzheimer's Disease, was being treated via mainstream docs, who was always agitated, yelling, mad. His family started him on one of the prevailing "alternative" treatments (diet and supplements) and he calmed down, became a happy soul. It didn't change much of anything else, aside from better physical status, but he was in a better place mentally. That alone is worth the effort!

I believe that you don't stop trying, looking for the positive and working with doctors, but also using your own research and mind to build on doctor's prognosis and suggestions. In today's world of specialization, one specialized doctor may not be aware of what is going on in another aspect. Our bodies are miraculous machines that work synergistically.

Doctors are also notoriously prickly about "Google Doctors" as they call people like me. I walk a fine line and defer to their wisdom. But I still firmly believe that I have to double-check, do my own research.

(I guess that's another blog --- all my personal and friend's experiences with an incorrect diagnosis or being given a drug to treat something without ever being told how to fix it with diet or actions (ala Type 2 Diabetes and cholesterol). Personally, I use doctors to diagnose. Not that I have any problem with taking a prescribed medication if needed. We have amazing doctors, scientists, researchers and I'm blessed to live in a time where so much is available.)

When combatting cognitive issues you start early, you look at the entire body and lifestyle and then do the best you can to correct all the issues. Sadly, as I've said over and over, by the time we're willing to start addressing brain issues we're often well on the path. For some the issues start 20 years before 'symptoms" happen.

Someone close to me is a case in point. She is averse to getting help much of the time (and then sometimes she's fully on board), she has issues taking pills so supplements are difficult, if a drug has a side effect she doesn't like she flat out refuses to take it, she has so many real and imagined reasons for not moving or exercising it's extremely difficult to push, and so on.

Through it all she is still "there" most of the time. She can enjoy times with family. She knows what is going on and cries about the future. She has great days where she's going to fight this, where she will overcome and give God the glory, where she understands that using what God has provided via doctors and foods, etc., is a good thing. She knows when she is being treated like a child. She gets mad when treated like she doesn't know what's going on. Her main caretaker is great --- he involves her every step of the way.

Side note on current drug treatments for dementia: Most of the current drugs given for cognitive issues have some ugly side-effects. This individual won't take anything without reading the pamphlets. When I looked at all the drugs and saw the potential side-effects I thought "oh no, constipation..." that's all it will take...

OK, this is another blog post where I'll have to come back to it...am cooking some cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms so sliding over here in-between steps :-). So much on my mind after my last visit to see my parents...and every day the long list of alerts and news re: AD, cognition, dementia and health gets my little pea-brain zipping all over the place!!!

------------------
This one is interesting.
Scientists to test drug meant to stop or slow Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear
https://www.columbian.com/news/2020/feb/08/scientists-to-test-drug-meant-to-stop-or-slow-alzheimers-before-symptoms-appear/

My thoughts? Much of the current prevailing wisdom seems to be that the amyloid plaques are protective responses. I've heard them likened to ambulances and police that swarm to a wreck. Yes, they get tangled but they are there in response not as the cause. They seem, at least from what I'm reading, to be initially protective. Then if you don't correct the underlying issue they increase, get tangled, and start causing problems.

Clearing them up after they're tangled can be beneficial. It seems that it's short-lived though if the underlying reason for them isn't addressed. Which is why most of our mainstream drugs rarely work for long. They clear them out, there is a temporary improvement or a temporary "stay" in progression, then wham things are back and often worse than before the drug. Not always given that some find or correct the problem.

Also, they've found that many people have the plaques but never develop Alzheimer's Disease or any type of dementia. Just like many people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease who have other issues ranging from Lyme disease to mold toxin issues to...oh, shoot, the list is soooo long.

That's an interesting thing, too. When they first started diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease they (the wise ones of the day :-)) came up with a list of SUGGESTED criteria to consider. Somehow that became the definitive criteria. It was initially supposed to be a tool, a possibility, not a "they have it" list. Will have to see if I can find the various articles and podcasts where I heard that one...


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A few of the articles, research, and studies that caught my attention:

Is This Under-the-Radar Stock Set to Succeed in Alzheimer's Disease?
A promising new approach could potentially yield a new drug providing hope for millions of Alzheimer's patients worldwide.https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/02/07/is-this-under-the-radar-stock-set-to-succeed-in-al.aspx
In recent years, scientific evidence forged a link between P. gingivalis infection, more commonly known as gingivitis, and Alzheimer's disease. The scientific thesis for Cortexyme's approach focuses on the discovery that the P. gingivalis bacteria can enter the bloodstream and make its way to the brain, particularly in older individuals and those with a genetic predisposition. Once inside brain cells, also called neurons, the bacteria release a toxic substance called gingipains. The gingipains digest neuronal proteins leading to the death of the brain cell..

Loss of BIN1 protein in Alzheimer’s disease promotes synaptic accumulation of phosphorylated tau and disrupts tau release: Tau-directed effects of BIN1 loss in AD
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/loss-of-bin1-protein-in-alzheimers-disease-promotes-synaptic-accumulation-of-phosphorylated-tau-and-disrupts-tau-release(c8017124-cc51-4c71-a39d-9f2a985aeec3).html
Polymorphisms associated with BIN1 confer the second greatest risk for developing late onset Alzheimer’s disease. The biological consequences of this genetic variation are not fully understood, however BIN1 is a binding partner for tau. Tau is normally a highly soluble cytoplasmic protein, but in Alzheimer’s disease tau is abnormally phosphorylated and accumulates at synapses to exert synaptotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine if alterations to BIN1 and tau in Alzheimer’s disease promote the damaging redistribution of tau to synapses, as a mechanism by which BIN1 polymorphisms may increase risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. We show that BIN1 is lost from the cytoplasmic fraction of Alzheimer’s disease cortex, and this is accompanied by the progressive mislocalization of phosphorylated tau to synapses. We confirmed proline 216 in tau as critical for tau interaction with the BIN1-SH3 domain and show that phosphorylation of tau disrupts this binding, suggesting that tau phosphorylation in Alzheimer’s disease disrupts tau-BIN1 associations...

Alzheimer's treatments: What's on the horizon?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-treatments/art-20047780

PET Tracer Detects Synapse Loss Across Alzheimer’s Brain
https://www.alzforum.org/news/conference-coverage/pet-tracer-detects-synapse-loss-across-alzheimers-brain

Ramblin' about Alzheimer's Disease

Note: This is an older blog that I hadn't finished, hadn't posted. Posting now, late, some redundancy in ones I've posted since...but not gonna waste all these words :-). In addition to the articles that were current at the time I wrote this (at the bottom) I've added some that are more up-to-date.

For a variety of reasons, I've been reading a lot about Alzheimer's Disease. I have Google Alerts set up on a wide variety of related topics, am on the APOE4.info site with great info, read every study & article that pops up, have checked out or bought every book on the subject. I've become a believer that it is possible to prevent it in many cases and reverse it in some.

The caveat on reversing? It is tough. First, you have to identify the many potential contributing causes, which involves testing (blood tests mainly) that most insurance companies will not cover totally. Then, if you find that you have one or more "causes" (and it's always more than one from what I've found in my reading) you have to do a lot to correct the contributors. If someone is partially down the path --- for instance already at the point where they have issues swallowing pills or their mental abilities have deteriorated to the point where they can't adjust their diet --- it is extremely, extremely difficult.

Winding my way through all the data can be confusing! Learning the language requires a medical degree, which I do NOT have! However, I AM learning. I'm also comparing all the data that is popping up and looking for commonality.

I probably have a higher chance than many of developing some sort of dementia (aside from genetics, I am a crazy artist :-)). So, as I discover things that seem to make sense I'm incorporating them into my life.

Currently, I'm working on my sleep habits. Increasing my dives into deep sleep and extending the number of hours my little pea brain stays asleep are two areas I am focusing on.

From what I've discovered melatonin levels drop as one ages. Taking melatonin when we're younger has more of a placebo effect (per Matthew Walker). However, adding it to the nighttime routine if quality sleep is an issue when we're older can help. I just ordered some.

I've added a blue light blocker to my phone, tablet and laptop. Blue light triggers something in our brains that says "stay awake" (I can hear some of you groaning at that simple-ed down description). I can get all technical if you'd like? No? Yes? No. Try Bing or Google --- you'll find a ton of info out there.

I put in a sleep-promoting light in my bedside lamp. It allows me to read but doesn't cause my bod to think it needs to be running around cleaning the cave.

I am trying a white noise machine. It also has pink noise, which is supposedly just as good or better. It does help to even out the background noises. Last night I didn't use it and when the air conditioner kicked in I woke up a few times. Could be that if I hadn't gotten used to the noisemaker I wouldn't have noticed.

I got rid of or covered all lights in the room. I covered the windows with dark sheets (strange shaped windows so typical shades won't work)

The other things I'm doing? I've added some supplements, changed my exercise time to mornings and am more diligent, I've added and subtracted some foods from my diet, and I am doing 12-14 hour fast every day. I'll write more about each of those at another time.

Current new articles on APOE4, Alzheimer's Disease, etc.:

Plant flavonols significantly reduce Alzheimer’s risk
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200202/Plant-flavonols-significantly-reduce-Alzheimere28099s-risk.aspx
(I posted this one on APOE4.info and one person pointed out some flaws in the study.)

Biogen And Neurotrope: Why Numbers Cannot Overcome Alzheimer's Disease
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4320953-biogen-and-neurotrope-why-numbers-cannot-overcome-alzheimers-disease

Finding the cure for dementia | 60 Minutes Australia (YouTube Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEpTH70xRIs&feature=youtu.be

Predicting Alzheimer’s by Combining Blood Test With Genetic Screening
https://www.managedcaremag.com/news/20190806/predicting-alzheimer-s-combining-blood-test-genetic-screening

Dietary choline associated with reduced risk of dementia
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190806101530.htm

Dementia, Parkinson's Disease and our genes...

Two articles. The first I'm posting is much better. Given that I am APOE 3/4 plus have quite a few Parkinson's genes and all kinds of other contributing nasties like short-sleep, etc. I'm primed for a potentially ugly future genetically. However, I am not gonna let those nasties be my future.

One thing I've learned over the past 8 or 9 months of bombarding my brain with all the latest and greatest research, news, podcasts, theories while trying to help my mom is that prevention is possible. The scary thing is that the nasty genes can kick in 20 years or more before you start seeing "symptoms". Often by the time you start experiencing cognitive issues you're in a battle that main-stream science currently says you will lose. There is no cure. Currently. There is great promise for changing that though, just probably not in time to help my mother. Catching it early and/or prevention is critical.

Side note: My uncle has Parkinson's and my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother all have/had some form of dementia. My other aunt has a plethora of health issues, not sure what all of them are as there's not much communication. Not aware of any Parkinson's or dementia on the paternal side of the family, tons of cancer though. And yes, I have all kinds of cancer-related bad genes...

Also, have a ton of SNPs that say I'm primed for Type 2 Diabetes. My mom was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, and told her cholesterol was too high a few years back (not sure exactly when) and they wanted to put her on meds. She changed her diet...lowered her cholesterol...blood tests currently show good on the diabetes front but she is a true sugar-holic & carb-holic (as am I)...however, she went way too far and lost way too much weight, didn't understand eating healthy vs starvation/extremely small portions! Been trying to increase her weight since last June, some success but it's a battle :-).

Anywaze, here are the two articles on Parkinson's, APOE, etc.:

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Gene ID’d as potential therapeutic target for dementia in Parkinson’s
Targeting gene linked to Alzheimer’s may reduce dementia risk in Parkinson’s
Dementia is one of the most debilitating consequences of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition characterized by tremors, stiffness, slow movement and impaired balance. Eighty percent of people with Parkinson’s develop dementia within 20 years of the diagnosis, and patients who carry a particular variant of the gene APOE are at especially high risk.

In new research, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found a clue to the link between Parkinson’s, APOE and dementia.
https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/gene-idd-as-potential-therapeutic-target-for-dementia-in-parkinsons/

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Lab: Discovery could help stave off anguish of dementia in people battling Parkinson’s

PARKINSON’S disease can be especially cruel. Its slow but sure onset inflicts tremors, slows down movement and impairs balance. And perhaps the most bitter blow of all is that 80 percent of people newly diagnosed will go on to develop dementia within 20 years.

But there is hope for the future, after experts made a breakthrough that could lead to treatments capable of slowing down or stopping this mental decline.

https://www.metro.news/bbc-science-focus-discovery-could-help-stave-off-anguish-of-dementia-in-people-battling-parkinsons/1899963/
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Info at end of first article with study info I think:
Davis AA, Inman CE, Wargel ZM, Dube U, Freeberg BM, Galluppi A, Haines JN, Dhavale DD, Miller R, Choudhury FA, Sullivan PM, Cruchaga C, Perlmutter JS, Ulrich JD, Benitez BA, Kotzbauer PT, Holtzman DM. APOE Genotype Regulates Pathology and Disease Progression in Synucleinopathy. Science Translational Medicine. Feb. 5, 2020. DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aay3069

Battling Inflammation Through Food An Emerging Field

/24-7/ -- Scientists have identified the inflammatory process as the common soil in a diverse range of chronic degenerative diseases. The news, recently reported in the LA Times article, discusses how foods like cherries may help rheumatoid arthritis or avoidance of gluten may fight off psoriasis.

"Chronic inflammation is an emerging field," says Dr. David Heber, a UCLA professor of medicine and director of the university's Center for Human Nutrition. "It's a new concept for medicine."

According to the article by Shara Yurkiewicz, "The activated immune cells and hormones then turn on the body itself, damaging tissues. The process continues indefinitely, occurring at low enough levels that a person doesn't feel pain or realize anything is wrong. Years later, proponents say, the damage contributes to illnesses such as heart disease, neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease or cancer."

In addition to eating foods that may reduce inflammation, foods that actually cause the inflammation should be avoided. Individual biochemistry and genetic makeup differences may render even normally healthy foods as instigators of chronic activation of the immune system in some people and not others.

Cell Science Systems, maker of the ALCAT Test for food and chemical sensitivity, offers a way to pinpoint which foods may be causing inflammation and recommends an individualized dietary regimen to avoid those specific foods.

"The ALCAT Test provides customized feedback as to which foods and chemicals are activating your immune system," said Roger Deutsch, founder of Cell Science Systems and co-author of "Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat". "We believe in eating anti-inflammatory foods; but we also believe in avoiding specific foods that may not be compatible with your own biochemistry. It's all about customization."

According to a study released by the National Institutes of Health, treating Alzheimer's disease with DHA and EPA, found in fish oil and many plant sources, slowed its progression in a subgroup of the study population. While the ultimate goal of consuming anti-inflammatory foods and supplements is to prevent chronic illness, this study lends credence to the value of this emerging field.

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National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, 2008

RJ Note: The effects of Alzheimer's Disease on a family can be debilitating. The loss of a loved one who is still physically among us is a hard road to travel. During this month, take time to remember those who take care of these loved ones. Take time to give the caretakers encouragement. Be there for them all.

During National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, we recognize the dignity and courage of the men and women living with Alzheimer's disease. We also honor the devoted family members and caretakers who bring them love and comfort, and we underscore our dedication to finding a cure for this tragic disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that seriously impairs a person's ability to function normally. Age is the most important known risk factor, and scientists are studying the role that genetics, education, diet, and environment might play in the development of this debilitating disease. Through research supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs, we are learning more about the disease and enhancing the quality of life for those affected. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services is improving the delivery of home and community-based services to people with Alzheimer's.

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month is an opportunity to pay tribute to the courageous individuals facing this disease and remember the precious lives lost due to Alzheimer's. All Americans appreciate the strong support and dedication of the families, medical professionals, scientific researchers, and caregivers who are helping build a society that values the life and dignity of every person.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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Frankenstein rat

Scientists have figured out a way to make hearts from dead rats beat again. Ultimately they're hoping to be able to take this a few (many) steps further. They want to create custom organs for people needing transplants.


Don't we live in a fascinating time? I know this and many of the other discoveries raise many ethical and moral questions. Is it right to clone humans? animals? Stem cell research. Finding out your spouse or child has a disease you opt to get pregnant for the stem cells, bone marrow or organ.


We have a lot of choices we make daily on a small scale. Some questions are too big for me to grasp. I may not agree with the extent of stem cell research (i.e., unborn children), but would I be swayed if I found out my son could be cured of a deadly disease?


For some it's easy to make black and white decisions. Cloning is wrong. Always. Stem cell research is wrong when you reach a certain line. It's never right or always right to have a child to cure another human being.


Now we have scientists mimicking the misguided Frankenstein. Right? wrong? How far will they take it? Lots of questions always. Not much of a chance I'll ever have a say in the direction science and research takes the world. However, someday I might benefit from today's discovery.

Scientists create beating hearts in lab
CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. researchers say they have coaxed hearts from dead rats to beat again in the laboratory and said the discovery may one day lead to customized organ transplants for people.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080113/ts_nm/heart_artificial_dc

A better way to give?

Working on the Fayette Front Page and the Georgia Front page I see a large, large number of releases and stories about all the good things people are doing in the world. Turn on the television, especially at this time of year, and you're bound to see a commercial or a story for or about a charity.

I hear huge dollar amounts tossed out. Millions are donated to feed the homeless, cure a disease, right a wrong.

So how come we're not making a dent in things? We're tossing zillions of dollars toward research. Zillions of dollars to rebuild homes. Zillions of dollars to feed people across the world.

Off and on I think about the industry of helping others. It's a huge business. HUGE.

It's not always a business that is a good steward of our donated dollars and time. I remember visiting the Atlanta office a very well known organization fighting a deadly disease. I should be so lucky to sit in an office of similar opulence.

Think about all of the people who make their living fighting diseases. We have managers, vice presidents, presidents, staff workers, accountants, doctors, scientists and untold numbers who would be jobless if they found a cure for the disease they're trying to eradicate. Do away with those who are now in poverty and we'd create a whole new group of out-of-work poverty fighters on the dole because they no longer had a job (no matter how minuscule the pay they're currently getting).

Now, I'm not saying that the people aren't working diligently to cure whatever disease they're fighting. There are many very dedicated individuals out there who would love to lose their job if it meant success.

However, the fighting poverty, fighting disease industry is huge. I remember when there was a big scandal of sorts some years back where charities were attacked for having such huge operating costs. Now everyone is proud to show that ten percent or some small percent is going to operating costs.

Call me skeptical, call me scrooge, but I find it difficult to see all the high dollar amounts going to various organizations and not see any major strides in fighting poverty or illnesses. I'm also smart enough to know that books can be cooked and operating costs can be downplayed by moving things into a different column. Not saying there are any shenanigans going on, just noting that it's possible.

I see our local charities and I can feel the dedication, I can see them helping individuals. I see their crowded offices and know that in many, many cases the space is donated by a local business person. I know they work for meager salaries. I see the impact they make in people's lives. I volunteer, donate, help raise money and know it's going to a good cause and being used wisely.

Take it a step higher and I start to lose a bit of faith. I still help when I can. I donate when possible, help raise money, give of my time. Wondering about something I can't know doesn't stop me from wanting to do whatever I can to stop cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, etc.

But I wonder if there's not a better way sometimes.

Funny. As I was typing this the Georgia Front Page phone rang. I picked it up. It was a charity (calling from Florida) wanting us to make a donation. Great timing...