Alzheimers prevention?

My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers a few years ago. Since then she has sadly been rapidly declining - something I know alarmingly many people are witnesses to with their loved ones on a daily basis.

Dementia and Alzheimers are the leading causes of death in the UK. In the UK someone develops dementia every 3 minutes! And the troubling prediction is that one in 3 children born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia in their lifetime.

Every now and then new articles are written about promising new medicine that might delay Alzheimers symptoms, and everyone gets excited. Why wouldn’t they? Imagine a magic pill, injection or the likes, that could stop this horrific disease! The trouble, as I see it, is that much of this ‘promising’ medicine comes with rather hardcore side effects. And then it becomes a choice between cognitive decline and decline in other areas of health - harsh reduction in quality of life regardless. Which do you choose?

And this brings me to what I speak with many of my clients about: A preventative lifestyle (I can almost hear you sighing. Really?).

Very often, when starting this conversation, I’m met with ‘I would much rather have fun now and die early that compromise my lifestyle in order to live a long, boring life!’ or ‘Then when do I get to live?’ Valid points. I get it. Especially if the belief is that the less healthy daily choices are fun and/or interesting.

Here’s what many people overlook: Modern medicine will most likely keep you alive whether you wish to be so or not. In other words; How would you like to age?

Would you like to spend the last 10-20 years of your life in a wheelchair, in and out of hospitals, and/or, with no idea of who these people are around you that call themselves your loved ones?

Or would you like to be able to pick up your grandchildren and play with them? Maybe throw them over your head or let them ‘walk on the ceiling’ while they are tiny? Pick them up from school and ask them how their day went? Attend weddings and dance with the bride? Do speeches that will move people to tears, because you remember details from their lives and your own that were deeply special? Or maybe you have other dreams, goals, you wish to achieve: Travel the world, become an artist, climb a mountain, paraglide, attend (or organise) meditation retreats - you name it.

Every single one of these things require health.

I’m aware that what I am portraying here is rather black and white. As we know, there are no guarantees, no certainty, in life. We have all heard of that one person who managed to live a long life despite smoking, drinking and eating junk every day. Sure, they exist! Here’s the deal: They got lucky and, I believe, probably did a whole lot of other things right.

My aim is for you to fall in love with a preventative lifestyle. It’s possible. Believe me - I’m living proof. I used to smoke like a chimney, was addicted to junk food and had I not been Scandinavian, making biking my primary daily transport, I would have not been exercising either. My 20 year old self would not recognise the woman I am today and the choices I make on a daily basis. Nor would she believe how much I love it. I first made the changes for my mental health. Then for my life goals. And now, especially every time I exercise, I think of my children and my future grandchildren (fingers crossed).

So, my mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimers, my father recently died with (not of) vascular dementia. Chances are that I am genetically disposed - I am sadly very aware of that. But here is what I find comfort in, which might be comforting to you too: Your genetics are not a death sentence. They are a wake up call! If you are genetically disposed to any kind of illness, get serious about prevention immediately. And, frankly, even if you aren’t genetically disposed, the general western lifestyle is setting everyone up for failure, so really there’s no point in delaying the action. I promise you, not only is it possible to implement a preventative lifestyle, it is possible to love it too! Don’t take my word for it - try it out for yourself. One step at a time.

Don’t underestimate the small changes. They accumulate and eventually turn into big changes.