Integrated medicine and the prevention and reversal of memory loss

This article, based on scientific research and clinical observations, suggests that memory loss is not an inevitable consequence of aging and that Alzheimer's disease can be prevented and reversed using an integrated medical approach. Three new associations with memory loss other than age, heredity, and genetics are described. They include a high-fat diet, chronic unbalanced stress with its attendant risk in the adrenal hormone cortisol, and the presence of cardiovascular disease. A 4-pillar integrative medical program on brain longevity is presented. The program includes a diet consisting of 15% fat and supplementation with brain-specific nutrients such as vitamin B complex, vitamin E, ubiquinone, ginkgo biloba, and phosphatidylserine. In addition, stress-relieving meditation, mind-body and cognitive exercise, antiaging drugs like L-deprenyl citrate, as well as hormones such as dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone complete the program. Patient benefits such as greater wisdom and spiritual happiness are also explored.