The Myth of Alzheimer's: The Story of a Disease, a Doctor, and a New Direction for Aging in the 21st Century (New Audio Cassette)

See also:
-- 'Longevity Science' blog
-- 'Books Forum' blog


Greetings,

Here is a new audio cassette for discussion here:

The Myth of Alzheimer's:
The Story of a Disease, a Doctor, and a New Direction for Aging in the 21st Century
by Whitehouse M.d., Peter J. ph.d, Danny George, and Julie M. Fenster
(Audio Cassette - Jan 8, 2008)

Product Description provided by the Publisher (Blackstone Audio, Inc.):

This is a call to arms to re-evaluate the way we think about and deal with Alzheimer's disease. The author puts forth that the current view of Alzheimer's as a virtual death sentence obscures the potential for vitality and wisdom that still exists in the graying years. He posits that there is a wide range of cognitive impairment and that the trajectory does not necessarily end in the deepest throes of senility, impaired body function, and dependence on twenty-four-hour care. He contends that the label of Alzheimer's generates fear, paranoia, and anxiety, and by taking a closer look at what Alzheimer's is and isn't, he can offer hope to individuals, as well as their families, who suffer from a decline in their cognitive abilities. He presents a new approach to the treatment of brain aging, using examples from his own practice as well as from around the world, and provides practical information so that readers can get the best level of care for themselves or their loved ones.


About the Authors:

PETER J. WHITEHOUSE, M.D., Ph.D., is the director of integrative studies in the Department of Neurology at Case Western Reserve University and is the founding director of the University Memory and Aging Center at Case. He is a clinician at Elder Health Center at University Hospital of Cleveland.

DANNY GEORGE works at the Memory and Aging Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and is currently pursuing a master of science degree in medical anthropology at Oxford University in England.

Key words:
New Audio Cassette, Myth of Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's, Peter Whitehouse, Danny George, Julie Fenster, Blackstone Audio, cognitive impairment, senility, brain aging, Elder Health, aging, Neurology, memory

Do you have any comments on this new audio cassette?
Post them below!

Ageless Memory: Secrets for Keeping Your Mind Young Forever -- New Book

See also:
-- 'Longevity Science' blog
-- 'Books Forum' blog



Greetings,

Here is a new book for possible discussion here (no endorsement implied):

Ageless Memory:
Secrets for Keeping Your Mind Young Forever
- From the World's Foremost Memory Expert
by Harry Lorayne (Hardcover - Jan 1, 2008)

Book Description provided by the Publisher (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers):

The world's foremost memory expert­and mega-bestselling author­proves that memory CAN get better with age, using his foolproof system for sharpening the mind, improving concentration, and attaining a truly "superpower" memory.

Completely practical and easy to use, Harry Lorayne's unique memory system can be put into practice immediately­for a better memory the very same day you open the book and start to read. With this one book, specially geared for those of us past 50, we learn to:

• Recall names and faces, even years later

• Never miss an appointment or misplace keys, glasses, valuables, etc

• Give speeches without notes and learn foreign words and phrases easily

• Memorize long lists of items, huge numbers, quotations, Bible verses, and all kinds of facts and figures

• And (most important when we age) regain the confidence that comes with having a sharp, active mind.

Harry Lorayne has been honing and teaching his memory systems for 40 years. Ageless Memory is the culmination of his life's work, specially tailored to our needs as we age and encompassing all of the many ways we can use a better memory every day.

Key words:
New books, aging, ageing, longevity, gerontology, gerontological, geriatrics, geriatric, senescence, anti-aging, anti-ageing, rejuvenation, life-extension, immortality, Ageless Memory, Young Forever, Harry Lorayne, Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers, memory, sharp mind, concentration


Do you have any comments on this new book?
Post them below!

Delaying Brain Aging through Dietary Supplements, Mental Exercises, and 'Healthy' Foods

See also:
-- 'Longevity Science' blog
-- 'Books Forum' blog



Greetings,

Recently I have come across a new popular book written by a medical doctor, which suggests a combination of dietary supplements, mental exercises, and 'healthy' foods designed to:

-- Strengthen memory

-- Sharpen focus

-- Speed reaction time

-- Lift brain fog

-- Alleviate hot flashes

-- Preserve hearing

-- Eliminate migraines

-- Prevent brain aging

-- Fight depression

(cited from the book back-cover).

Obviously the claim to "prevent brain aging" sounds as an overkill, but still it may be interesting to hear from the experts here, and those people who have already read this book, whether there are some good practical suggestions there to follow.

The book also suggests a low-carb diet for each of the seven days a week, with non-overlapping menus for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner (see pages 87-93 at http://tinyurl.com/2t6jcv ).

Therefore, it may be interesting to hear from the knowledgeable people here, whether there are some good reasons for switching to low-carb diet and permanent ketosis.

Thank you!

-- Leonid Gavrilov, Ph.D.

P.S.: Here is some additional information about this book:

The Brain Trust Program: A Scientifically Based Three-Part Plan to Improve Memory, Elevate Mood, Enhance Attention, Alleviate Migraine and Menopausal Symptoms, and Boost Mental Energy
by Larry McCleary, M.D., Perigee Trade; 1 edition (September 4, 2007)

Coffee 'protects female memory'

Coffee 'protects female memory'

Caffeine may help older women ward off mental decline, research suggests.

French researchers compared women aged 65 and older who drank more than three cups of coffee per day with those who drank one cup or less per day.

Those who drank more caffeine showed less decline in memory tests over a four year period.

The study, published in the journal Neurology, raises the possibility that caffeine may even protect against the development of dementia.

It might be that caffeine could slow the dementia process
Dr Karen Ritchie
French National Institute for Health and Medical Research

The results held up even after factors such as education, high blood pressure and disease were taken into account.

Caffeine is a known psychostimulant, but this study appears to suggest its effects may be more profound.

However, lead researcher Dr Karen Ritchie of the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research warned against jumping to premature conclusions.

She said: "While we have some ideas as to how this works biologically, we need to have a better understanding of how caffeine affects the brain before we can start promoting caffeine intake as a way to reduce cognitive decline.

"But the results are interesting - caffeine use is already widespread and it has fewer side effects than other treatments for cognitive decline, and it requires a relatively small amount for a beneficial effect."

The study, which involved 7,000 women, did not find that caffeine consumers had lower rates of dementia.

Women 'more sensitive'

Dr Ritchie said: "We really need a longer study to look at whether caffeine prevents dementia; it might be that caffeine could slow the dementia process rather than preventing it."

She said it was not clear why the protective effect did not seem to apply to men.

"Women may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine. Their bodies may react differently to the stimulant, or they may metabolize caffeine differently."

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said that with no cure for Alzheimer's disease yet available, research into possible protective factors was important, particularly as the disease is expected to become more common.

She said: "This study does not suggest that caffeine actually lowers rates of dementia in women, but since memory seems improved, it may be that it is slowing it down.

"However, research over a much longer period is still needed to establish fully what the affects of caffeine are in both men and women and whether it could reduce a person's risk of dementia or slow down its progress."

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said drinking coffee and tea had both been tipped as possible ways of delaying the onset of dementia.

However, she said: "These types of studies are complex because coffee and tea drinking can be linked to so many other social and life style factors."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/6930114.stm

Published: 2007/08/07 06:45:02 GMT

© BBC MMVII