Other Names:
Senile Dementia, Cerebrovascular Disease

Symptoms:
Memory loss in the older years, an inability to reason properly which interferes with the home, employment, depression.

Cause:
Also called Dementia, this occurs in old age, yet is not widespread. Most older people do not have this problem. Many people in advanced age are quite clear in their thought processes.

(But there are actually two types of dementia: Primary dementia comes on gradually, without apparent cause. Secondary dementia comes on suddenly from brain injury, operation, drugs, or diabetic coma; is usually reversible. Senility and Alzheimer's are examples of primary dementia.)

Common causes of senility include poor blood circulation to, and in, the brain, cerebral arteriosclerosis, heavy metal toxicity, prolonged nutritional deficiency, prolonged use of medicinal drugs, and lack of exercise and fresh air.

Calcification and fatty cholesterol deposits in the middle cerebral artery reduces the main blood supply to the brain, resulting in a poor oxygen supply to the brain. This produces a loss of memory and typical "senile" changes.

The experts tell us that, over a matter of years, wearing uncomfortable collars and neckties tend to cause eddies in the carotid arteries, contributing to the deposition of cholesterol.

Many of those diagnosed as senile are actually suffering from the effects of medicinal drugs. Avoid drugs throughout your life, if you want a happy old age. But hearing, thyroid, liver, or kidney problems can also produce apparent memory loss. There is the possibility of brain tumors, as well as stroke, and various problems with the nervous system.

A combination of nutritional deficiencies is often the underlying cause.

Treatment:
• Reduce vitamin D intake to a maximum of 400 units a day, for it works with cholesterol to cause blood vessel problems. Vitamin D is angiotoxic; that is, toxic to blood vessels.

• Choline and lecithin are both important. Also take vitamin C to bowel tolerance, as well as vitamin E. The B complex vitamins are important for the nervous system and brain.

• A New England hospital successfully treated senility by giving niacin and a high-potency vitamin supplement. This opened up the narrowed blood vessels. Niacin has a vasodilatory effect on the body. That is why, when taken, it temporarily causes the face to flush.

• Stop using alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine.

• Eat lightly of nutritious food. Mainly eat raw or slowly cooked foods. Raw seeds and nuts help the brain, but eat in moderation. Millet and buckwheat are good.

• Ginkgo, an herb, may help prevent further deterioration of mental capacities.

• Daily exercising, to the point of breathlessness, is vital to good circulation. But do not overdo! Only go up to the point of breathlessness, not beyond. Too much can lead to a heart attack.

• Heavy metals must be avoided. Never use aluminum cookware, or other aluminum products. Do not use canned goods any more than necessary.