#is the drivers. well leave it to famin evidently he will find a way to make it ocon's fault
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i completely agree with you about esteban, despite being alpine's first winner and literally being born and raised in normandy, never actually being embraced by the higher ups and have actually felt that way for a long time. here's how i see things:
cyril - dickmatized by daniel
otmar - accepts bribes and hates the working classs (jk jk...unless? but also this)
rossi - whatever the fuck this was about
bruno - ...do i even have to say anything?
...and is it really a coincidence that marcin, the only team principal/ceo i didn't mention above, was leading when alpine was at their peak? i think not!
Yeah it's a bizzare state of affairs over there... it probably doesn't help that the team is already run in a weirdass way (controlled by ceo board & work being split between 2 countries) before even getting into whoever the team principal of the day is.
I've always assumed the team's higher up dislike of Ocon came from the fact they're not even in charge of their own driver because Mercedes manage him. He's in a very unique situation where he's being managed by a team that has absolutely no connection to the team he races for and is in fact one of their competitors. Like when George was at Williams or if Bearman goes to Haas you can point at them and explain that yes they are part of other teams' junior programmes but they are racing for a team that uses their junior team as an engine supplier so they have that existing relationship to be sharing drivers.
Alpine on the other hand are a works team and make their own admittedly godawful engine so it's a bit strange for them to sort of be beholden to Mercedes in this way by virtue of them telling Ocon where to go. Compare his situation to Alonso who wasn't tied down to any other teams by contract or to Piastri who was Alpine's own junior driver or Gasly who Alpine spent a lot of money on buying his contract out from Red Bull so he wouldn't have any connection to them anymore and you can see why Ocon would be a less favourable option than all 3 of them management wise.
As for TPs well Cyril sort of pretended Ocon didn't exist at all which arguably is better than whatever is happening now. Otmar was too busy trying to show the media that they treat both drivers equally (him on Sky Sports F1 broadcast in Monaco last year was so funny... they asked him about Ocon's podium and he just started talking about Pierre). I've never been able to pin Otmar's thoughts on Ocon down actually despite the fact they worked together for 2 years in Force India as well. What I will say is he was a relatively calm team principal who wouldn't have reacted the way Famin did on live TV in Monaco this year. Rossi wasn't the team principal but he was the CEO which is why he was happy to slander the team to the press because like all upper management he has no idea how the job actually gets done. That being said I think admittedly he did like Esteban which might explain - with him gone - why the team have suddenly decided Ocon's their number one enemy now.
Marcin of course led Alpine's only good season and was kicked in favour of Otmar for some nonsensical reason. Jokes on Alpine because that 2021 season was and is the best they're ever gonna achieve.
Famin I actually liked at the end of last year believe it or not lmao. Not sure what happened to him over the winter break but he seems to have woken up one day and decided Ocon is the root of all evil at Alpine despite the fact both of the drivers there are the only positive thing the team has going for them atm.
#ever since the start of this distastrous season people on reddit have been saying the only thing you can't find fault in at Alpine#is the drivers. well leave it to famin evidently he will find a way to make it ocon's fault#f1#esteban ocon#ask#alpine
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Trouble
A Vasquez/Lena fic that got out of hand. Feat. nb!Vasquez.
Also on AO3.
//
Vasquez rides a motorbike. It’s an Iron 883, with a throaty roar that any DEO agent hears it rolling into the underground carpark knows by heart. When the Harley grumbles, Vasquez is near. So when a beautiful black Ferrari Spider pulls up outside the city base at eight am sharp, spilling Vas out onto the curb with a cheery wave to the driver, it raises some eyebrows.
“Sweet ride,” Alex says as Vasquez opens their locker.
“Though you preferred bikes, Danvers,” Vasquez teases. They change quickly out of their MIT shirt and jeans and into their uniform, comfortable enough with Alex that they don’t mind her seeing their binder.
Lucy comes into the locker room, fresh out of the shower after an early workout. She swats at Alex’s ass with a towel.
Alex yelps. “What are you, fifteen?”
“Twelve. Good night, Vas?”
“Dinner and a movie,” they say. “Well, microwave meal for one and Netflix.”
“Thought you had a date,” Alex says.
“What makes you think that?” Vas replies, keeping their tone nonchalant just so they can enjoy the look on her face.
“The fact someone drove you to work in a two hundred thousand dollar sports car?”
Lucy gapes. “Damn, Vasquez. Now you have to tell.”
Vasquez grins. They want to tell their friends who they’re dating. In fact they and their partner have talked about coming out for a while, but there’s just something so satisfying about watching Lucy and Alex squirm.
“Bike’s in the shop. I just thumbed a lift.”
And with that they saunter out the locker room, Alex and Lucy already bickering behind them.
They head to their computer, smoothly dodging Winn who’s wearing VR goggles and zooming around happily in his wheely chair. They put their headset on, tuning out the quiet chatter of a team on a routine patrol until it’s just white noise and set to reading over some code Winn sent. They actually manage to get five and a half minutes of work done before Kara comes sidling up to their desk.
“Sooo,” Kara says, playing with the edges of some paperwork in Vas’ in-tray. “Good night last night?”
“You’re as nosy as your sister, Danvers.”
“Wha- me? Nosy? Psshh.” Kara waves a hand, that adorable look on her face she gets when she’s trying to bluff. “I’m just… catching up, y’know. Haven’t spoken since-“
“You texted me and asked if I wanted coffee?”
“When was that? I don’t really…”
“Half an hour ago. Hey, complete change of subject but do you know how to play poker?”
“Just say no, Supergirl.” J’onn growls, spoiling Vasquez’s fun. “Agent Vasquez, I heard your motorcycle is out of commission. Do you need to borrow something from the garage?”
“No thanks sir. I have a ride sorted.”
“That’s what I wanted to ask about,” Kara says, jumping on the opportunity. “That was a very nice car.”
“Hmm.” Vasquez grins. “Driver wasn’t bad either.”
Supergirl makes an odd noise, taps out a quick rhythm on the table top. Vasquez is a highly trained agent and knows how to hold themself together, but damn, Kara’s making it hard.
“Did you not use your x-ray vision?” Vas asks.
“Didn’t think it was polite,” Kara mumbles.
She’s probably kicking herself with those nice red boots, Vasquez thinks. It’s hilarious. They spot Alex and Lucy leaving the locker room, both of them in badass agent mode and immediately starts paying attention.
There’s been an accident just outside of the city, an unmanned alien vehicle out of control. Kara’s already away with a whoosh that sends Vas’s paperwork flying, Alex and Lucy following her much more slowly out the door. Vasquez pulls up as many traffic cam feeds as they can, searching quickly for a good view of the accident.
It looks like a small, sleek vehicle has collided with a lorry, burying itself in the side. Billows of strangely coloured steam curl from a small fire raging in the wreckage, the occasional cascade of sparks shooting out towards the traffic snarling behind the crash like fireworks. Three cars back from the crash Vas can make out a familiar black Ferrari. The driver’s door opens and a slim figure gets out, the small first aid kit Vasquez made her start carrying in her hand.
Supergirl lands suddenly, blocking Vasquez’s view of Lena Luthor hurrying towards the crash site. Cursing under their breath, Vasquez pulls up another feed, checks Alex’s tracker to see how close she is.
Kara’s freeze breath easily puts out the fire. She pulls out the lorry driver, stunned but alive, and gently sits him at the side of the road. She must tell Lena to keep back as she approaches because Lena scoffs, picks her way over the debris daintily in her very expensive heels brandishing the first aid kit.
Vasquez can hear Supergirl over the comms.
“Keep back Ms Luthor, this could be dangero- oh okay, never mind.”
“Supergirl,” Vasquez asks calmly, burying the spark of fear deep down in their belly. “What’s she doing?”
“She says the lorry’s hers, it’s transporting a prototype.”
“Oh shit, that was today.”
“Um, yeah.”
Vasquez clears their throat. “Agent Danvers is en route, ETA one minute. Is the driver hurt?”
On their screen they can see Lena checking the guy over. He’s conscious, doesn’t seem to be hurt more than a few scrapes. Better safe than sorry though. “Take him to the hospital.”
J’onn’s asking what the prototype is, where Lena was taking it, probably what she ate for breakfast knowing him but Vas is busy checking every cam in a hundred meter radius, checking for danger as Lena makes her way over to the wreckage. She starts digging through the mess of twisted metal and burned canvas, and Vasquez can’t tell if she’s looking for the prototype or examining the alien vehicle.
They find a new angle just as Alex’s van screeches to a halt and roll their eyes when they catch Lena pocketing a bit of debris. Alex jumps out, Lucy not far behind. The both of them are in full tactical gear but Vasquez can’t make out a single threat in the area.
“What the hell is she doing here?” Alex asks, and Vas watches as she approaches Lena.
“Lorry’s hers,” they jump in. They decide not to mention the tech theft for now, it’ll only make things worse for Lena and Vasquez can easily confiscate it.
“Bring her in for questioning,” J’onn demands. He’s hovering behind Vasquez, which makes a change from his usual pacing but is still very uncomfortable when he’s ordering the arrest of their girlfriend.
J’onn stiffens behind them.
You can read minds, Vasquez thinks. I forgot.
“Do you know anything about this, Agent?”
“I knew she was taking a new piece of tech out of town for testing, and I know it’s harmless because I helped build it.”
“Do you know why anyone would want to destroy it?”
“It helps people and she’s a Luthor,” they snipe, not bothering to hide anything from J’onn.
J’onn clears his throat but doesn’t say anything. Vas knows they won’t have changed his mind at all, but they also know he respects and trusts them enough to hear Lena out.
Alex checks in and says she’ll be five minutes. Vasquez gets back to work. They dispatch a couple of agents to the hospital to watch the driver, organise a clean-up crew for the wreckage and a tow truck to pick up the alien vehicle. They know Lena’s machine will be brought back as evidence so they send Terry, who won’t manhandle and break the thing any more than it already has been. Vasquez sighs. Lena had worked so hard on that project, a machine that could plant, maintain and harvest crops all on its own. It could be cheaply and safely manufactured, easily built and disassembled by local workers, and what asshole in their right mind would want to deprive to world of that?
They’re distracted by Lena being escorted in the front door. Escorted being too strong a word maybe, given she was striding in way ahead of Alex and Lucy, head held high and wearing the most glorious resting bitch face Vasquez has ever seen her pull.
Vasquez gets out of their seat, hurrying behind J’onn to meet Lena in front of the computer bank. They must look worried because Lena shoots them a brief, comforting smile. When Vas got so attached to Lena they don’t know, but they care about her enough for it to show.
“Thank you for coming Ms Luthor,” J’onn starts. “We just need to ask you some questions.”
“It’s a harmless prototype I’m developing to help reduce widespread famine. I was escorting it to the desert to test the range of movement over a wide area. As you’ll see when you no doubt bring it in it’s perfectly safe. I don’t recognise the vehicle that crashed into the lorry, I didn’t see what happened, I am not in any way involved.”
“I…”
“Any more questions or do I need to call my lawyers?”
“She’s telling the truth,” Winn pipes up. He scurries over with a tablet, shows J’onn the data from the traffic cameras, the Ferrari’s on-board computer, probably Lena’s cell phone and email data too but they don’t want to tell her that. “There’s nothing to prove she has anything to do with the crash.”
J’onn clears his throat. “Thank you for your time, Ms Luthor.”
“I’m free to go?”
J’onn nods, and Lena turns on her heel and strides right back out the building. Vas can hear the Ferrari’s engine from where they’re standing, and they realise one of Alex or Lucy will have driven it back. The two of them are waiting by their computer when they turn around, expectant looks on their faces and arms crossed. They sigh, and motion in the direction of Alex’s lab.
//
“You’re dating Lena Luthor?”
“Did you not hear me the first time or…”
Alex is leaning against her desk, a look of shock on her face. Lucy’s pacing, scrambling for words and it’d be hilarious if Vasquez wasn’t so worried about Lena.
“Since when?” Alex asks.
“About four months now,” Vas replies. “We met at a bar.”
“Really? Not that exciting.” Lucy says.
Vas half-heartedly waggles their brows and Lucy sputters. “We’re so getting into this later Vasquez. But right now… how likely is she to do something stupid?”
“Remember that fundraiser?” Vasquez takes their phone out their pocket. Nothing from Lena, she knows they’ll be busy with the crash, knows she might even get a head start whilst they’re still working. Vas hits speed dial.
“Voicemail,” they grumble.
“Think you can talk her down?” Alex asks.
“I’ll go to her office.”
They start to make their way out of the lab, but Alex stops them. “You really care about her, huh?”
Vas nods. “I do.”
“We’ll do what we can to find out what happened and keep her safe,” Lucy promises.
“Thanks,” Vasquez says. They know it must be hard for them, hell they didn’t trust Lena at first either, but now her last name doesn’t mean shit to Vasquez except the fact it can get them both into fancy clubs and cosy little booths at expensive restaurants.
“Stay safe,” Alex calls as they rush out of the lab.
Vasquez chuckles to themself. Working so long at the DEO, fighting alongside superheroes every day, catching Winn trying to wipe his browsing history? Safe isn’t even in their vocabulary.
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Unique Care Facilities Offer Hope for Dementia Patients
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By Dr. Mercola
Like autism among children, Alzheimer's among seniors has reached epidemic proportions, with no slowdown in sight. On the contrary, evidence suggests the trend is worsening. At present, Alzheimer's affects about 5.4 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.1 The World Health Organization predicts that by 2050, 1 in 6 adults will be living with dementia, which means elderly dementia care facilities will soon be in critical demand.
More than 80 percent of current care home residents have significant memory problems or full dementia.2 More than 15 million Americans also provide unpaid care for family members with dementia, and 35 percent of caregivers say their personal health has declined as a result of the strain, compared to 19 percent of those who care for elderly without dementia.
With younger family members footing the bill, the cost of a good residential home is out of reach for many, causing some families to consider options outside of their own national borders. The 16x9 News Online documentary special, “Dementia: The Unspooling Mind,” explores innovative models of dementia care in Thailand and the Netherlands - unique residential complexes designed to keep this vulnerable population safe, happy and well-cared for.
Netherland's Dementia Village
On the outskirts of Amsterdam in a small town called Weesp, is Hogeweyk, also known as Dementia Village.3 As this is typically a person's last residence, the goal at Hogeweyk is to provide the most normal life possible, reminiscent of each individual's formative years. It has the sort of manufactured reality depicted in the movie “The Truman Show,” where Jim Carrey portrays a man who discovers his entire life is actually a reality TV show.
There is only one way into the village and one way out. All doors open automatically, except those to the outside world. This four-acre village was built with the specific needs of dementia patients in mind, designed around common and familiar social and cultural building blocks.
For example, residents with shared interests and backgrounds live together in “lifestyle groups,” with the design and decoration of the 23 homes tailored to each type. Together, the residents manage their own households in most respects, with staff members helping out as needed.
The cost is nearly $8,000 per month, but the government provides subsidies so that each resident's rent will never exceed $3,600. The entire complex is geared toward giving residents a high quality of life; to provide them with a sense that their life is still worth living - they can have fun and have a purpose.
There are all sorts of amenities, including a cafe and parks with gardens and fountains along streets where the residents can freely roam.4 Village staff are everywhere, cleverly blending in as ordinary town folk. Caretakers staff the restaurant, the grocery store, the hair salon and the movie theatre. They also have the ability to surveil the resident's living quarters without being intrusive.
Care From the Heart
Thailand, “the land of smiles,” has two “dementia resorts,” both of which are a stark contrast to your typical nursing home. At the Baan Kamlangchay center,5 which translates to “care from the heart,” there are no locks, gates or fences at all. The center, which houses a dozen residents in a small village of eight homes, was established by Martin Woodtli, a Swiss psychologist who previously worked for Doctors Without Borders.
According to Woodtli, patients at his center generally don't require drugs to stay calm. Nor do they need locked doors to keep residents safe. Instead, they're never without an attendant, so they have the benefit of continuous human interaction and supervision, and have freedom to move about. He says his guests “feel part of a family, a community, and that's very important.”6 Patients are accompanied to local markets, temples and restaurants, and receive personal around-the-clock care - all for $3,800 per month.
When considering whether or not to place a loved one in a care center far from home, the most challenging part is leaving their loved one behind, not knowing if he or she is aware of what's happening or feels abandoned. This is, of course, a very personal decision with multiple factors weighing differently in every situation, and each patient is different.
The majority of dementia patients placed far away from home are in the most advanced stages of the disease. Experts report that while many with early dementia would find it difficult to adjust to life in a foreign place, separated from their families, many in advanced stages adjust surprisingly well to a place with good care, because they “live in a world of earlier memories.”
Chiang Mai Care Resort
A second Thai care center,7 a former four-star tourist resort located about 30 minutes from Chiang Mai, is owned by Peter Brown, a British entrepreneur who converted the resort into a care facility after his mother developed dementia and couldn't get adequate care in the U.K. The resort now houses about 70 patients who, according to Brown, “are having the time of their lives.”
Brown's goal is to give each guest as much independence as their individual condition allows. Care Resort Chiang Mai sits on 11 acres of trees, gardens, swimming pool, fishponds and a lake. There are different designs ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom villas, each equipped with a full nursing care station. Sightseeing excursions and a spa are a regular part of their treatment.
When you consider the average cost of full-time care for a family member with Alzheimer's in the U.S. is between $3,700 and $6,900, depending on your state of residence,8 it's easy to see why some families are considering what might be called radical options, such as care centers on the opposite side of the globe.
Continued efforts need to be made to improve the quality of life and quality of care for people living with dementia, and this requires the kind of “outside the box” thinking as demonstrated in the care centers featured in this video. In the final days and hours of life, whether the person at your loved one's bedside is you or a caregiver thousands of miles away, it's important that they're being cared for with dignity and respect.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction Is at the Heart of Alzheimer's
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While there is no conventional cure for Alzheimer's, a number of lifestyle strategies show promise for preventing and slowing down its progression. Dr. Dale Bredesen, director of neurodegenerative disease research at the UCLA School of Medicine, discusses these alternatives in his book, “The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline.” If you missed my interview with him, I highly recommend viewing it now (for the full interview, see the original article, linked above).
Bredesen has identified more than four dozen variables that can have a significant influence on Alzheimer's, but at the heart of it all is mitochondrial dysfunction. This makes logical sense when you consider that your mitochondria are instrumental in producing the energy currency in your body, and without energy, nothing will work properly. Your mitochondria are also where a majority of free radicals are generated, so when your lifestyle choices produce higher amounts of free radicals, dysfunctions in mitochondria are to be expected.
The accumulation of mutations in mitochondrial DNA are also a primary driver of age-related decline. Importantly, Bredesen's work sheds light on why amyloid is created in the first place. Amyloid production is actually a protective response to different types of insults, each of which is related to a specific subtype of Alzheimer's. Bredesen explains:
“If you've got inflammation going on, you are making amyloid because … it is a very effective endogenous antimicrobial. [I]n that case, it's not really a disease … [It's] a falling apart of the system. You're making amyloid because you're fighting microbes, because you're … inflamed, because you are decreased in your trophic support (insulin resistance, and so on) or because [you're toxic].
Guess what amyloid does beautifully? It binds toxins like metals, mercury and copper. It's very clear you're making [amyloid] to protect yourself. It's all well and good if you want to remove it, but make sure to remove the inducer of it before you remove it. Otherwise, you're putting yourself at risk.”
The program Bredesen developed is a comprehensive approach that addresses the many variables of Alzheimer's at their roots. Interestingly, if you have the ApoE4 gene, which increases your risk for Alzheimer's, you would be wise to implement intermittent fasting or do longer fasts every now and then.
In fact, this gene appears to be a strong clinical indication that you need to fast on a regular basis to avoid Alzheimer's. The reason for this is because the ApoE4 gene helps your body survive famine. Unfortunately, it also promotes inflammation. Fasting appears to help cancel out this inflammatory proclivity.
Alzheimer's Screening Tests
Bredesen also recommends a number of screening tests to help tailor a personalized treatment protocol. For example, if you have insulin resistance, you want to improve your insulin sensitivity. If you have inflammation, then you'll work on removing the source of the proinflammatory effect. If your iron is elevated, you'll want to donate blood to lower it, and so on.
Alzheimer's Screening Tests
Test Recommended range
Ferritin
40 to 60 ng/mL
GGT
Less than 16 U/L for men and less than 9 U/L for women
25-hydroxy vitamin D
40 to 60 ng/mL
You can get the test here
High-sensitivity CRP
Less than 0.9 mg/L (the lower the better)
Fasting Insulin
Less than 4.5 mg/dL (the lower the better)
Omega-3 index and omega 6:3 ratio
Omega-3 index should be above 8 percent and your omega 6-to-3 ratio between 0.5 and 3.0
You can get the omega-3 index test here
TNF alpha
Less than 6.0
TSH
Less than 2.0 microunits/mL
Free T3
3.2-4.2 pg/mL
Reverse T3
Less than 20 ng/mL
Free T4
1.3-1.8 ng/mL
Serum copper and zinc ratio
0.8-1.2
Serum selenium
110-150 ng/mL
Glutathione
5.0-5.5 μm
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)
12-20 mcg/mL
Body mass index (which you can calculate yourself)
18-25
ApoE4 (DNA test)
See how many alleles you have: 0, 1 or 2
Vitamin B12
500-1,500
Hemoglobin A1c
Less than 5.5 (the lower the better)
Homocysteine
4.4-10.8 mcmol/L
Strategies to Help Prevent Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
It's important to realize that dementia, including Alzheimer's, is largely a preventable disease, predicated on lifestyle choices that enhance mitochondrial function. Following are a summary of suggestions that can boost your mitochondrial health and help protect your brain health well into old age:
Eat real food, ideally organic
Avoid processed foods of all kinds as they contain a number of ingredients harmful to your brain, including refined sugar, processed fructose, grains (particularly gluten), vegetable oils, genetically engineered ingredients and pesticides like glyphosate. Ideally, keep your added sugar levels to a minimum and your total fructose below 25 grams per day, or as low as 15 grams per day if you already have insulin/leptin resistance or any related disorders.
Opting for organic produce will help you avoid synthetic pesticides and herbicides. Most will benefit from a gluten-free diet, as gluten makes your gut more permeable, which allows proteins to get into your bloodstream where they sensitize your immune system and promote inflammation and autoimmunity, both of which play a role in the development of Alzheimer's.
Replace refined carbohydrates with healthy fats
Healthy fats such as saturated animal fats and animal-based omega-3 are very important for optimal brain function. Healthy fats to add to your diet include avocados, butter, organic pastured egg yolks, coconuts and coconut oil, grass fed meats and raw nuts such as pecans and macadamia.
Avoid all trans fats or hydrogenated fats that have been modified in such a way to extend their longevity on the grocery store shelf. This includes margarine, vegetable oils and various butter-like spreads. Contrary to popular belief, the ideal fuel for your brain is not glucose, but ketones, which are produced when your body converts fat into energy.
The medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) found in coconut oil and MCT oil are a great source of ketone bodies. Also make sure you're getting enough animal-based omega-3 fats. High intake of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA help prevent cell damage caused by Alzheimer's disease, thereby slowing down its progression and lowering your risk of developing the disorder.
Optimize your gut flora
To do this, avoid processed foods, antibiotics and antibacterial products, fluoridated and chlorinated water, and be sure to eat traditionally fermented and cultured foods, along with a high-quality probiotic if needed. Dr. Steven Gundry does an excellent job of expanding on this in his new book “The Plant Paradox.”
Intermittently fast
Intermittent fasting is a powerful tool to jump-start your body into remembering how to burn fat and repair the insulin/leptin resistance that is a primary contributing factor for Alzheimer's.
Move regularly and consistently throughout the day
It's been suggested that exercise can trigger a change in the way the amyloid precursor protein is metabolized,9 thus, slowing down the onset and progression of Alzheimer's. Exercise also increases levels of the protein PGC-1 alpha. Research has shown that people with Alzheimer's have less PGC-1 alpha in their brains and cells that contain more of the protein produce less of the toxic amyloid protein associated with Alzheimer's.
Excess sitting is associated with an increased risk of many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurological illnesses. Stand up and walk as often as possible, with a goal of walking about 10,000 steps a day.
Optimize your magnesium levels
Preliminary research strongly suggests a decrease in Alzheimer symptoms with increased levels of magnesium in the brain. Unfortunately, most magnesium supplements do not pass the blood brain levels, but a new one, magnesium threonate, appears to and holds some promise for the future for treating this condition and may be superior to other forms.
Get sensible sun exposure
Research shows people living in northern latitudes have higher rates of death from dementia and Alzheimer's than those living in sunnier areas, suggesting vitamin D and/or sun exposure are important factors.10
Sufficient vitamin D is imperative for proper functioning of your immune system to combat inflammation associated with Alzheimer's. If you are unable to get sufficient amounts of sun exposure, make sure to take daily supplemental vitamin D3 to make your blood level at least 60 to 80 nanograms per milliliter.
Sun exposure is also important for reasons unrelated to vitamin D. Your brain responds to the near-infrared light in sunlight in a process called photobiomodulation. Research shows near-infrared stimulation of the brain boosts cognition and reduces symptoms of Alzheimer's, including more advanced stages of the disease.
Delivering near-infrared light to the compromised mitochondria synthesizes gene transcription factors that trigger cellular repair, and your brain is one of the most mitochondrial-dense organs in your body.
Avoid and eliminate mercury from your body
Dental amalgam fillings are one of the major sources of heavy metal toxicity; however, you should be healthy prior to having them removed. Once you have adjusted to following the diet described in my optimized nutrition plan, you can follow the mercury detox protocol and then find a biological dentist to have your amalgams removed.
Avoid and eliminate aluminum from your body
Common sources of aluminum include antiperspirants, nonstick cookware and vaccine adjuvants. For tips on how to detox aluminum, please see my article, “First Case Study to Show Direct Link between Alzheimer's and Aluminum Toxicity.”
Avoid flu vaccinations
Most flu vaccines contain both mercury and aluminum.
Avoid statins and anticholinergic drugs
Drugs that block acetylcholine, a nervous system neurotransmitter, have been shown to increase your risk of dementia. These drugs include certain nighttime pain relievers, antihistamines, sleep aids, certain antidepressants, medications to control incontinence and certain narcotic pain relievers.
Adults who use benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax and Ativan for anxiety or insomnia are about 50 percent more likely to develop dementia, especially if used chronically.
Statin drugs are particularly problematic because they suppress the synthesis of cholesterol, deplete your brain of coenzyme Q10, vitamin K2 and neurotransmitter precursors, and prevent adequate delivery of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble antioxidants to your brain by inhibiting the production of the indispensable carrier biomolecule known as low-density lipoprotein.
Limit your exposure to non-native electromagnetic fields (EMF from cellphones and other wireless technology)
The primary pathology behind EMF damage is caused by the reactive nitrogen species peroxynitrites,11 which damage your mitochondria, and your brain is the most mitochondrial-dense organ in your body. Peroxynitrite is an unstable structural ion produced in your body after nitric oxide is exposed to superoxide, and this complex chemical process begins with exposure to low-frequency microwave radiation from your cellphone, Wi-Fi and cellphone towers.12,13
Increased peroxynitrite generation has also been associated with autonomic hormonal dysfunction and increased levels of systemic inflammation by triggering cytokine storms. Martin Pall, Ph.D., has published a review14 in the Journal of Neuroanatomy showing how microwave radiation from cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, computers and tablets (when not in airplane mode) is clearly associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's.
To reduce your risk, limit your exposure to wireless technology. Simple measures include turning your Wi-Fi off at night, not carrying your cellphone on your body and not keeping portable phones, cellphones and other electric devices in your bedroom.
I also strongly recommend turning off the electricity to your bedroom at the circuit breaker every night. This will radically lower electric and magnetic fields while you sleep. This will help you get better, more sound sleep, allowing your brain to detoxify and cleanse itself out each night.
Get plenty of restorative sleep
Studies indicate that poor sleeping habits cause brain damage and may accelerate the onset of Alzheimer's by impeding your brain's ability to clear out toxins and waste.
Manage your stress
Researchers have found that nearly three out of four Alzheimer's patients experienced severe emotional stress during the two years preceding their diagnosis. One of my favorite stress-busting tools is EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques).
Challenge your mind daily
Mental stimulation, especially learning something new, such as learning to play an instrument or a new language, is associated with a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. Researchers suspect that mental challenge helps to build up your brain, making it less susceptible to the lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease.
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