INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.

Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, welcomed Dr. Ann Hester to provide another commentary in a series.

The Dr. Ann Hester Commentaries

Let’s be honest—most of us have seen it firsthand. An aging loved one struggling to remember names… to recognize faces… even to lift a fork to their mouth. It’s painful. It’s real. Alzheimer’s disease. Even just the thought of it can stir a deep, primal fear.

Could that be me one day?

Will I forget who my children are?

Will my husband recognize me in a few years?

Will my wife remember my name?

Will I be able to care for myself—or will I need to wear adult undergarments just to manage daily life?

Alzheimer’s can be a cruel, relentless descent into a world where joy, connection, and a sense of belonging slowly disappear. So what do we do? Do we devour every article we can find, hoping to uncover a cure or effective treatment? Or do we tuck those fears away in the back of our minds, hoping we’ll never have to face them? But what if we do? Do we simply hope for the best—or start taking action now?

Maybe you’ve considered donating to research in hopes that a breakthrough comes in time. Or perhaps you’ve already spent countless hours and dollars exploring natural remedies that left you disappointed.

Here’s another way forward:

Let’s turn to the science. Let’s focus on what is working. Sure, medical advice can shift over time—I’ve watched that unfold repeatedly over the past 30 years in medicine. But we have to make choices based on the best evidence available today. And when research points to something that can truly make a difference, we owe it to ourselves—and our loved ones—to listen. That’s part of why I became board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine. This powerful, evidence-based field emphasizes preventing, treating, and sometimes even reversing chronic diseases through simple but  impactful lifestyle changes—things like nutrition, physical activity, and stress management.

In fact, I recently read a study that gave me something we all need more of when it comes to Alzheimer’s: hope. The study showed that comprehensive lifestyle changes can actually improve symptoms in people with Alzheimer’s. One major component? A whole-food, minimally processed diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, soy products, nuts, and seeds—while low in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and refined carbohydrates. But diet wasn’t the only piece. The program also included regular physical activity like daily 30-minute walks and light strength training, stress reduction practices, social support, and targeted supplementation. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, coenzyme Q10, and key vitamins and minerals were used to help support brain health.

The takeaway?

Our lifestyle choices matter. They matter more than most people realize. And while we may not have a cure for Alzheimer’s yet, we are not powerless. Each of us can take steps—starting today—that may improve our cognitive outlook and reduce the risk of developing this devastating disease.

Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38849944/

Ann M. Hester, M.D. is a board-certified internist with over 25 years of experience. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Dr. Hester believes when patients are taught exceptional “patient skills,” they become empowered to play a previously unimagined role in optimizing their medical care and minimizing medical costs. Her mission is to share these critical skills by various means, thereby improving patient outcomes and strengthening the U.S. healthcare system. This mission started in medical school when she witnessed the tremendous gap between how patients and doctors think. Over the years, she has written various patient empowerment pieces online and through books. Her latest book is Patient Empowerment 101: More than a book, it’s an adventure! This unique work takes an unprecedented step in helping people think more like doctors and position themselves at the center of their healthcare team.

Learn more at https://www.patientempowerment101.com.

Connect with her through social media:

Twitter: @patientworldnet
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patientempowerment101

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