Alzheimer’s has been on the rise for several decades. Chances are it has struck your family or someone you know. Thus far, the best scientific guess as to the cause of Alzheimer’s is accumulation of “tangles” and “plaque” in the brain, and the solution is to clear it out. One doctor equates getting rid of the plaque and tangles to removing all the grave stones in a cemetery, which accomplishes nothing. The dead are still dead, as are the dead brain cells resulting from cleared out plaque and tangles. Listen to his explanation here
Prevailing theory regarding the causes of Alzheimer’s has been challenged by a few brave voices in the scientific community and the latest salvo is from Stephanie Seneff, a Senior Research Scientist at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). In an article in SpaceDoc.com newsletter, “Fructose, Sunscreen, Statins and Flu Shots: A Recipe for Alzheimer’s Disease” Dr. Seneff makes some alarming statements about the involvement of cholesterol lowering drugs (statins) as well as flu shots and excessive sunscreen use as contributing to Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dr. Seneff states,
“Indeed, a population-based study [7] showed that people who had ever taken statins had an increased risk to Alzheimer’s disease, a hazard ratio of 1.21. More alarmingly, people who used to take statins had a hazard ratio of 2.54 (over two and a half times the risk to Alzheimer’s) compared to people who never took statins.”
and
“What I think is happening is that the doctor is taking the patient off the statin drug once memory problems are noted, suspecting that the statin may be causing the problem. But it may well be too late at that point to recover. . .”
and about flu shots for seniors:
” The elderly are greatly encouraged to renew their flu shots every single year, and I think this is another major factor that is steadily increasing their risk to Alzheimer’s disease.”
She also believes that excessive use of sun screens may contribute to the incidence of Alzheimer’s.
Hard to believe? Crazy talk?
You can read her entire article here. Much of it is scientific jargon but her allegations are clear enough to understand.
Considering that some “experts” suggest that statins be universally administered as a preventive measure, and even added to drinking water, it seems appropriate to wonder why scientists of the stature of Dr. Seneff are ignored and/or marginalized.
The reality is that there are less dangerous ways to lower “bad” cholesterol but the general public has been conditioned to accept the judgment of traditionally trained doctors who have been taught that drugs developed by profit oriented drug companies and approved by the FDA are the best way to deal with “bad” cholesterol.
If you take a statin and trust your doctor’s judgment, Dr. Seneff’s remarks may make you defensive and inclined to dismiss her ideas as kooky. If so, please consider my favorite Herbert Spencer quote:
“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance -That principle is condemnation before investigation.”
Think. Do your own homework. Have an open mind and question everything pertaining to health that is presumed to be “written in stone”. It’s your body, your health, and the responsibility to preserve it is yours, not your doctor’s.
If you choose to comply with your doctor’s suggestion to control your “bad” cholesterol with a statin drug that may contribute to onset of Alzheimer’s, remember the tentacles of grief caused by Alzheimer’s are felt far beyond the individual. Your life is no longer your own. Loved ones and society ultimately bear the mental, physical and financial burden of your care.
(More bad news for statins: Strong statin-diabetes link seen in large study)
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