As you all know my father was diagnosed with this debilitating disease about a year ago and since then he is gone...here...but gone as the daddy I knew. I love him so much, but I have finally accepted that things will never be the same. I had no idea what the disease was all about, until it happen to the one I love. 
 
Count your blessings if you do not have to accept this fact in your life, because I think it is much tougher to accept than if he had actually died and was put 10 feet under.

Why? Well, because every time I am with him and see what this disease has done to him, it is like I lost him all over again. When someone dies at least we can live with the comfort of knowing they are in a better place, with our creator and father "Jesus Christ", but not my dear Daddy.

He roams like the living dead with no recollect to any of his surroundings or the people he once knew and loved. What a waste of life this disease causes over and over till no more.

I came across this article that I found that I thought I should share with you. Please take care of your mind along with your body, because I honestly think Alzheimer's is the worst disease anyone could acquire. My dad did not really eat right, he did not use his brain enough, I do know that much. I feel we should be learning something new everyday no matter how old we are.

God gaves us these brilliant minds. And to choose to close them before we die is death itself. We only have one life, we should leave a trail of memories of knowledge and helping others less wise, so someday they can do the same and everyone they come in contact with throughout there lives can do the same.

Being a great role model and leaving an great legacy behind to be passed on to the  futures of this world should be all of  life's purpose. Is that not our purpose anyway? To help one another for the good of this world...yes it is, and I will never lose that...guaranteed!


My sweet dear daddy
" Clarence Reavis"

Did you know that only 25% of people with Alzheimer’s have a genetic tendency to the disease?  Genetics don’t appear to play a role in the other 75% of victims — the cause is uncertain.  That means the vast majority of people who develop Alzheimer’s are most affected by lifestyle and environmental factors.

While that statistic may be alarming, the good news is that we can reduce our risk of AD by making some simple changes — especially to our diet. A recent study suggests that two readily available and safe supplements may help prevent Alzheimer’s.  I’ll tell you about them in a moment, but first a little background…

While we don’t know the cause of Alzheimer’s, the final effect on the brain is the buildup of a protein called amyloid. The amyloid forms plaques which cause cognitive decline that worsens steadily as the build up progresses.

Researchers have found that in some people macrophages (specialized white blood cells that we think of more often as fighting bacteria) “attack” and remove amyloid as it forms. As you might expect, this finding raised the possibility of somehow using these cells to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s. That led to the following experiment.

Researchers collected white blood cells that transformed into macrophages from nine patients with Alzheimer’s, as well as from controls. They incubated these white blood cells in the presence of amyloid and then added vitamin D3 and curcumin to the mix, both individually and together.¹

The results were impressive. Both vitamin D and curcumin improved how macrophages remove amyloid plaque from the brain. In some patients the effect was enhanced by using the two substances together.

The researchers were quick to point out that this is a laboratory study and that the research is still in its early stages. They’re making no clinical recommendations at this time.

On the other hand, we already know the importance of having healthy levels of vitamin D to support the immune system. This research suggests one more important reason to make sure we’re getting enough vitamin D every day.

And curcumin is the main biologically active phytochemical in turmeric. Populations who traditionally use turmeric in their cooking, such as those of India and southeast Asia, have lower rates of Alzheimer’s then we see in the West. This may be the reason.

So even though there’s no definitive clinical trial as yet, it makes sense to check your vitamin D levels and get more sun or take a supplement if you need to.  You can also add curcumin for a spicy twist to your cooking. And consider taking it as a supplement, as well.

Reference:

1. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 17(3):703-717, 2009