142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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301518
Potential role of herbal therapies by chiropractic physicians in preventing Alzheimer's disease: A literature review

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014 : 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Stephen Grand, D.C., M.S., DACBN, CCWS , Clinic, Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida, Port Orange, FL
Kenice Grand, D.C., DACBN, CCWS , Clinic Department, Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida, Port Orange, FL
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Objective: Senior population and Alzheimer’s disease incidence are concurrently increasing rapidly, creating a serious public health issue. Since early diagnosis is quite problematic and medical treatment is mostly ineffective, prevention offers a better approach. Chiropractic physicians treat a significant portion of this demographic and they treat with more natural means. The question arises whether they can be an effective force in helping handle this public health epidemic. 

 Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Database, and Natural Standard. Keywords employed included chiropractic, Alzheimer’s disease incidence, dementia incidence, herbal prevention of dementia, and demographics.

 Results: While 25-75% of seniors report some memory loss, true dementia may be the leading cause for their functional limitation and Alzheimer’s disease is its main etiology. The incidence is expected to grow from 5.4 million in the United States in 2011 to about 13.2 million in 2050. There are a number of plant compounds, including Bacopa and Ginkgo which have been shown to have positive neuro-functional effects. The scope of chiropractic care includes nutritional practices.

 Conclusion: Chiropractors treat patients of all ages, generally for multiple visits, and often utilize nutritional methods during that care. Dementia is a serious public health issue and it is projected to worsen with current care. Chiropractors could be employed to ease this burden by introducing patients to certain beneficial herbs as part of their patient’s general health care.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the necessity for early intervention in Alzheimer’s disease. Explain how one might develop an herbal program to treat patients at risk of AD. Recognize the role of chiropractic physicians in prevention of AD.

Keyword(s): Chiropractic, Chronic Disease Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have practiced as a chiropractic physician for over 30 years, with an emphasis on nutrition and natural healthcare. In addition, I recently completed a master's in clinical nutrition, and my thesis was on natural strategies for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. I also have a diplomate in clinician nutrition, and have published and presented on this subject in the past.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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