We just learned that global icon and national treasure Tony Bennett has Alzheimer’s disease. Your first reaction when you found out was likely feelings of sympathy for him and his family. But another feeling soon surfaced for many of us when we heard the news.
And that, of course, was fear. After all, Bennett has all the fame and money in the world. Plus, he has access to the best possible medical care. And yet Alzheimer’s still struck, so what chance do the rest of us have?
Well, friend, the answer might surprise you.
The ghoulish news reports keep insisting there’s nothing that can be done. They say that Tony Bennett, already struggling with everyday tasks, will only get worse from here as the disease exacts its horrifying toll. And that those who care about him can only sit back and watch it happen.
But that’s NOT always the case.
4 critical steps for anyone battling Alzheimer’s
One thing’s clear about this devastating disease. The mainstream’s approach to Alzheimer’s has been a dismal failure.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re among the world’s elite like Tony Bennett or just a regular Joe or Jane. Either way, there’s virtually nothing they can offer to stop this disease, much less cure it.
The few treatments they DO have can only slow it down a little in some people. And that modest and spotty benefit comes with some especially nasty side effects.
But while the mainstream is out of options right now, some natural therapies have shown incredible promise. Some of these drug-free approaches have the potential to significantly slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Plus, complementary solutions could greatly help improve the quality of life for anyone stuck in this battle.
If you have a loved one fighting Alzheimer’s… or are in the early stages yourself… here are four extra steps you can take, along with anything else your doctor recommends.
STEP ONE: Back to Basics
Focus on the basics… diet, and sleep. This is especially important early on in this disease. Quick action in the early days of Alzheimer’s is more likely to make a big impact.
Eliminate ALL processed foods, which are loaded with brain-rotting toxins. Stick to a completely natural and organic diet instead.
Plus, there’s a direct link between poor sleep and cognitive struggles, including both decline and dementia. So make sure to get a full seven to nine hours of sleep every night. If you find that’s difficult to do, consider a natural sleep aid such as melatonin or ashwagandha.
And for one more natural way to support brain health, check out my recent report, “HACK your sleep to ENHANCE your brain.”
STEP TWO: Target inflammation
Most of mainstream medicine’s experimental Alzheimer’s drugs have targeted the “plaques and tangles” in the brain linked to the disease. And ALL of them have failed.
But recent research suggests they’re likely focusing on the wrong target. The plaques and tangles may be a sign of the disease, but not the cause. In fact, they’ve also been found in the brains of healthy people with NO cognitive decline or dementia.
Instead, the true cause of Alzheimer’s may be our old nemesis inflammation.
The natural omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil target the enzymes behind that inflammation. Meanwhile, high-dose B vitamins can attack another inflammation trigger called homocysteine.
In one study, omega-3s and B vitamins reduced the “brain shrink” linked to cognitive decline by an average of 40 percent. Other studies have found curcumin – a compound in the spice turmeric – can also fight that inflammation and enhance brain function.
STEP THREE: Consider chelation
Speak to a naturopathic or holistic doctor about chelation therapy. This detoxifying treatment helps remove heavy metals from the body.
And those are the same metals experts say, in some cases, could play a key role in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
It’s no guarantee, of course. Chelation doesn’t always work for everyone. But it reportedly has helped slow the advancement of decline and dementia in many patients. And in some cases, has even led to remarkable improvements.
STEP FOUR: Belt Out a Tune
Sing. And yes, I DO mean literally. Like many Alzheimer’s patients in the more advanced phases of the disease, Tony Bennett doesn’t speak much, and his speech is halting when he does.
But he still sings like a bird. And according to an AARP Magazine interviewer who visited him, he delivered a full 90-minute set of near-flawless music when his pianist showed up to rehearse with him, as he still does twice a week.
Lyrics and singing come from a different place in the brain. And while singing alone won’t stop Alzheimer’s, of course, it certainly can make anyone suffering from the disease feel calm and happy. So go ahead and encourage it if you have a loved one battling this disease.
“He’s not the old Tony anymore,” Bennett’s wife, Susan, told the magazine. “But when he sings, he’s the old Tony.”
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