When you have two parents with dementia, you start to worry about your own cognitive outlook. I poured over the research and have been exposed to a host of “supplement plans” proposed to families throughout my work and personal life. I have yet to have anyone emerge from these plans, that typically cost over ten thousand dollars, with a noticeable change. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t really know if there is peer-reviewed research supporting this … I know the claims are made that they are proven. I just haven’t seen them positively impact anyone yet. And I’m very well connected to hundreds of individuals with dementia … so you think a great result would be freely shared.
The Washington Post carried a snippet of the story, but you can read the full summary that Supplements for Brain Health Show No Benefit – a Neurologist Explains a New Study. Everything I have read and seen play out jives with the explanation. However, it feels better to think that a simple pill can be a cure-all.
I believe that the food we eat makes a difference and even more so, the habits we develop now can make a huge difference to how long we can manage if we start to have cognitive issues.
If you use a calendar system and a to-do list, you could find life much easier to manage should you start to have short-term memory issues. In working with a variety of clients I have found those that have a habit of using the calendar and making to-do lists have an easier time of continuing to manage and control their own affairs. They don’t make your brain lazy and are actually recommended in the classes taught by Total Brain Health. After going through the program, I highly recommend it. If you can’t find a class, maybe consider getting Dr. Cynthia Green’s book Total Memory Workout. You will find a host of ways to rev up your recall and be more educated about what you can do to improve your own brain health. Recommended.