Natural strategies for prevention and treatment of alzheimer's disease

We are in the midst of an epidemiological event defined by the intersection of the burgeoning ‘baby boomer' maturations with an impending Alzheimer's Disease (AD) epidemic. (1,2) The ‘boomers' represent a significant percent of the population (3), and the risk of AD is greatest in the age bracket of this demographic, becoming 65 years of age starting in 2011. Further, the escalating costs of care for this expanding population of patients suffering from AD and dementia is having a strong negative impact on our economy. (4, 5) There are several partially supported theories concerning the etiology of AD. (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) None of them fully explains all the biochemical or pathological findings; and, there are two serious holes in the current treatment model. First, current medical therapies neither stop the disease's progression nor prevent its onset. Second, early diagnosis and clear-cut risk factors aren't fully established. For example, no definitive progression between mild cognitive impairment and AD has been established. Preventive approaches would seem most logical, and there is a growing body of research suggesting nutritional and lifestyle approaches be employed. Much of the current research suggests that this is a multi-factorial problem which may require similarly complex solutions. When evidence is compiled and evaluated, it appears that a preventive and early treatment approach involving multiple nutritional substances, physical activities, and cognitive functions may not only be efficacious, but also safe and cost effective. (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) There is beginning to be some hope that we may be able to derail this oncoming crisis.