Dementia On The Rise, Striking Younger Victims … But Why?

WELLNESS--There is still little known about the cause of dementia with Alzheimer’s being the most well known form. The term dementia describes a decline in the mental abilities enough to effect daily life.  What we do know is that dementia is not only on the rise, but it is striking younger and younger victims. 

Dementia starts out with issues around the memory and thinking but often progresses into difficulties with daily activities like walking and talking and eating.  The victims and the families of said victims suffer inexorable pain and anguish w  hen these conditions strike.  

According to a study performed in Australia, the incidence Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are starting to occur as early as the 40’s.  Until recently, people in their 50’s and early 60’s were considered young to be getting this disease, but that number is a moving target with more and more people getting these diseases at younger ages. Could it be the increased pesticides and the genetically modified foods we are all consuming? Or possibly the Electro Magnetic Fields we are exposed to more than ever with our screens or petro chemicals? Some experts say yes.  

Colin Pritchard, a researcher at Bournemouth University, told The Times: 

‘The rate of increase in such a short time suggests a silent or even a “hidden” epidemic, in which environmental factors must play a major part, not just aging.” 

‘The environmental changes in the last 20 years have seen increases in the human environment of petro-chemicals – air transport, quadrupling of motor vehicles, insecticides, rises in background electro-magnetic field, and so on … it is not that we want to stop the modern world, but rather make it safer.’ 

Not only is dementia striking earlier than ever, the death rate from dementia is also on the rise.  Deaths from dementia in people that are over 75 have doubled in the past 20 years and there is a larger segment of woman affected over men.  

Curcumin is a spice that is used across the globe but primarily in India. It grows underground much like ginger and has some powerful anti-inflammatory qualities and Alzheimer’s begins as an inflammatory process in the brain. 

There are certain villages in India where the people have the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s worldwide and there is speculation that the reason is the curcumen in their foods.  

Curcumin can be cooked into your food or you can buy it as a supplement in capsule form.  It has gained popularity the world over as a possible way to slow or stave off dementia.  

The research is still not clear about the full effects of curcumen, but it is abundant and affordable so many people have added it to their daily routine. 

 

(Christian Cristiano is an acupuncturist in LA, TV host of Wellness for Realists and writes on wellness regularly for CityWatch. Christian can be reached at 323.935.3420. twitter: @CristianoWFR)

-cw

 

CityWatch

Vol 13 Issue 81

Pub: Oct 6, 2015

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