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Not to be Mr. Doomsday-er or anything, but I interviewed my mentor Dr. George Bartzokis (I received permission to refer to him as my mentor) for the fourth time since we started my radio show, âBoomers Rockâ. If you are not aware, Dr. Bartzokis (aka Dr. G) is an eminent neuroscientist and Professor at UCLA dealing primarily with brain health, specifically Alzheimerâs. Our conversations revolve around these topics and it is really interesting to hear his perspective on how the breakdown of Myelin is, in his opinion, based on the breakdown of this fatty substance that surrounds and protects the axons.
Myelin gives insulation to our nerves so the transmission of electrical impulses, from our muscles to our brain, works like a symphony in perfect tune. Really anything that has to do with cognitive (thinking) is determined by these impulses, so you could say it is pretty important timing.
Dr. G refers to the following factoids as the âimpending tsunamiâ:
The total estimated worldwide costs of dementia were $604 billion in 2010, according to the newly released World Alzheimer Report 2010: The Global Economic Impact of Dementia from Alzheimerâs Disease International (ADI), which is a London-based, nonprofit, international federation of 73 national Alzheimer organizations including the Alzheimerâs Association (U.S.). Released on World Alzheimerâs Day, September 21st, the Report found that:
Dementia care costs around 1% of the worldâs gross domestic product (GDP).
If dementia care were a country, it would be the worldâs 18th largest economy (ranking between Turkey and Indonesia).
If dementia care was a company, it would be the worldâs largest by annual revenue, exceeding Wal-Mart ($414 billion) and Exxon Mobil ($311 billion).
By 2030, worldwide societal costs will increase by 85% (a very conservative estimate considering only increases in the number of people with dementia).
Worldwide, the costs of dementia are set to soar.
The Report finds that costs in low and middle income countries are likely to rise much faster than in high income countries because, with economic development, costs will increase towards levels seen in high income countries, and because increases in numbers of people with dementia will be much sharper in those regions.
âRepairing our brain is the name of the game,â as Dr G stated. Since there is no cure and Alzheimerâs (and dementia) are age related conditions, the ½ trillion dollars that it will take to care for the patients in the future will bankrupt Medicare. The time is now for action.
Here is my action plan:
Incorporate the âFantastic Five Percentâ mindset.
Understand the benefit of movement and exercise in brain health.
Lose weight because excess body fat, as Dr. Bartzokis stated, is toxic.
Eat less red meat and sugar; eat more fruits and vegetables.
Know your three key numbers: cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides.
Do brain healthy activities, dancing, reading, socializing. The bottom line: stay active and busy.
Give ourselves better odds to live a longer, higher-quality life
Weaken the approaching tsunami by reducing the number of individuals suffering dementia
And remember, please e-mail me if you have a question about my âFantastic Five Percentâ plan of action.
tom@boomersrock.us
Peace
T
Try these thoughts, in your own way, and like I said if in one month you donât see a change, you donât feel a little bit better about things, send me an email to
Tom@boomersrock.us or see much more content at Boomers Rock
Tom Matt is the host of the weekly talk show âBoomers Rockâ, heard on WGHN 1370 AM Saturday mornings at 9:00 in Grand Haven, Michigan, and syndicated on the Internet here at VoiceAmerica. His show is also heard on the Spartan Sports network SSN/247. This is where he brings experts in to discuss all issues that enhance our quality of life.
He welcomes comments and feedback, on his site Boomers rock, please join our family and change the world! Visit our website, sign up and become part of the solution, its free and always welcoming/
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