In 2011, the baby-boom generation began to reach age 65, the age range of greatest risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. Now, in 2022, an estimated 6.5 million, or 1 in 9 Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. By 2025, the Alzheimer’s Association projects the number of people over the age of 65 with Alzheimer’s dementia will reach 7.2 million, and by 2060 that number is anticipated to exceed 13 million — with nearly half of those patients being over the age of 85.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, is a disease that destroys brain cells causing memory changes, erratic behaviors and loss of body functions. Researchers believe there is not one single cause of Alzheimer’s disease (read more about other causes here), it likely develops from multiple factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and environment.
Our brain cells normally diminish by half percent a year as we get older, but with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, the rate of atrophy speeds up. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, only therapies that slow down the rate of mental decline.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Can Affect Younger People
But Alzheimer’s is not just a disease for those older in age; it can strike people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. This is called younger-onset Alzheimer’s (or early onset). Since health care providers generally don’t look for Alzheimer’s disease in younger people still raising families, building careers or often care-giving for parents, symptoms may be incorrectly attributed to stress or other conflicting diagnoses.
For this reason, it is more important than ever to identify and aggressively address signs and symptoms of early memory loss.
Mild Cognitive Impairment: a Dementia Precursor
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the person affected and by family members and friends, but may not affect the individual’s ability to carry out everyday activities.
MCI is sometimes confused with normal aging, but it is not part of the typical aging process. A variety of factors can cause MCI, so it is viewed as a broad set of symptoms; making diagnosis of MCI challenging for affected individuals and physicians.
MCI can be caused by a variety of factors, such as medication side effects, sleep deprivation, or anxiety. MCI may also develop as part of neurologic, neurodegenerative, systemic or psychiatric disorders, as well as stroke or other vascular disease and traumatic brain injury. MCI can also arise from the brain changes that occur in Alzheimer’s disease.
Though individuals with MCI may have a higher risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s, many never progress to those later stages. In some cases, physicians may be able to identify reversible causes of cognitive impairment, such as depression, medication side effects, or sleep apnea. They may also recommend exercise and healthy lifestyle interventionsto help improve cognitive function and quality of life.
That’s why we encourage you to proactively promote the health of nerve cells and optimize neurotransmitter and hormonal balance before you begin to experience memory and other cognitive decline.
Dr. Dave’s Core Cognitive Cocktail
We are very proud of Integrative Psychiatry’s “Core Cognitive Cocktail” recommended by our Director of Education Dr. Dave Scheiderer. The “cocktail” is Dr. Dave’s hand-picked bundle of data-supported supplements and nutraceuticals designed to improve mood and cognition and slow down the brain ravages of aging.
Think of supplements and nutraceuticals not as alternatives to medications, but rather complements to diet and lifestyle. The list of potentially beneficial nutraceutical ingredients boggles the mind. To simplify things and prevent “pill fatigue,” we have formulated and incorporated products that combine as many of these key ingredients as possible.
“If I could only choose one of the nutraceuticals that make up my Core Cognitive Cocktail,” said Dr. Dave, “it would have to be our best-selling FolaNAC.“
FolaNAC contains L-MTHF, B12, and NAC, which provide superior memory and methylation support. The L-Methylfolatein FolaNAC improves mood by enhancing the production of dopamine, serotonin, melatonin and DNA.
Your brain is your life’s “master of ceremonies” — coordinating all of the intricate physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and interpersonal functions necessary to survive and thrive. It is indeed also the enduring repository of your memories and experiences, hopes and aspirations.
Simply put, your brain is the cradle of your identity and the seat of your soul. Take good care of it.
- Sources: 2022 Alzheimer’s disease Facts and Figures by the Alzheimer’s Association
- More Than Normal Aging: Recognizing Mild Cognitive Impairment; Alzheimer’s Association 2022 Special Report