Concerns raised about rise in early onset of Alzheimer’s in BVI
There has been a recent trend of early onset of Alzheimer’s in people younger than the typical age group and it is deemed as worrying for a small territory like the Virgin Islands.
President of the BVI Alzheimer’s Association (BVIAA) Ryan Geluk gave that indication during an interview on JTV recently.
The President noted that Alzheimer’s is a brain degenerative condition that used to be common in people older than 65. He said that trend has been changing in recent years.
“One thing we’re finding nowadays is that the age is creeping down in terms of the persons who are starting to develop early onset of Alzheimer’s and that’s something that’s extremely worrying for us as a society, especially here in the BVI. Alzheimer’s isn’t something that is quick and over. It, as I said, progresses over a significant period. And persons who are living with Alzheimer’s, sometimes it can be seven years, 10 years, or even 20 years to 25 years from essentially early onset to essentially death. So, it can be extremely slow,” Geluk said.
He noted stress is a high-risk factor for Alzheimer’s but said is too early to be determined for the BVI whether there is a relationship between Alzheimer’s and stress-inducing events such as the September 2017 hurricanes or the pandemic.
“We might know in 20 to 25 years from now and we sort of look back and we chart progression, but that’s where we need data. One of the things here in the BVI is we’re not great at collecting data, and as an association, having that data to understand how many persons here in the BVI are living with Alzheimer’s and sort of tracking that over a period of time will help us to understand what sort of impacts some of these things have within the BVI because, I mean, I have heard statistics here essentially saying that 60 percent or 70 percent of the people in the BVI right now are in that high-risk area, especially when it comes to chronic illnesses,” Geluk said.
“So, these are all high-risk factors. And if we have such a high percentage of the population already living with these chronic illnesses, it is extremely concerning from a society’s point of view and certainly from a governmental point of view as well. Alzheimer’s is very expensive to treat because of the length of time where a person lives with Alzheimer’s from essentially early onset straight through. So, it’s worldwide and it’s billions and billions and billions of dollars every single year spent on Alzheimer’s treatment. And we can ill afford that here in the BVI. Especially with such a small population,” he added.
The BVIAA President said he is concerned about the high-stress levels the people of the territory are living under. He noted Hurricane Irma is a trigger point and people are still seeing the effects of that.
“We see the impacts of that in children. We see the impacts of that in young adults, we see the impacts of that in the elderly as well. So, it wouldn’t surprise me that at some point in time you will start to see the unfortunate effects of those stress factors on the development not only of Alzheimer’s, other dementias as well, because of the high-risk factors that we undertake here,” Geluk said.
September is celebrated worldwide as World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
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It would be very helpful if our medical practitioners would start advocating a healthier diet and exercise instead of drugs. Even more helpful would be healthier foods in the stores, with a row dedicated to heart healthy choices. The best prevention is a healthy body, which only comes from healthy choices; diet and exercise!
Don’t go too far Geluk. We bought into the American foods and health care system. America is the sickest nation of earth, at the same time health care delivery cost excess that of the whole world put together. I stand to be corrected. The rise in Alzheimer’s is due to the propagation of a failed medical theory calling for reduction of cholesterol. The food and drug Industry in America demonized cholesterol to promote statin drugs. Myelin sheath which insulates the brain nerves makes about 80% of the brain size and is 100% cholesterol. On the other hand, the same food industry promoted trans-fats and demonized eggs, butter and Lard. To stop the ugly trend of Alzheimer’s, we must embrace our Caribbean, orgnanic non processed foods, lots of vegetables, take combined Omega 3,6 and 9 (balancing Omega 3 and 6 at ratio 1:1 and the Omega 3, 6 and 6 produced excluding oxygen), butter/Lard plus average of 10 eggs per day ( soft boiled, poached or soft scrambled) We must avoid fried foods and vegetable oils. Every oil, once exposed to air, will oxidize. Oxidation will cause inflammation and plaques which can ultimately narrow the blood vessels. Coconut oil, has the capacity to resist oxidation especially when produced by cold press but once exposed to air for extended period of time, oxidation will occur. If your association wants me to elaborate further, please indicate here.
Please share with us where you got this information.
You are almost spot on.
But you are forgetting one extremely important factor:
Sleep.
Diet, exercise and sleep!
Without sleep your brain will slowly die.
ps. The BVI alzheimer association does not provide any advice in relation to healthy lifestyles but only tries to raise awareness. Seems useless.
It seem like some of the folk’s that was in the C o I came down with”Alzheimer’s.
You need a reality check yourself. I recall some time back when there was an increase in cases of diabetes, the Ministry of Health gave suggestions on how to live a healthier lifestyle, but Some people are very very stubborn and choose to eat what they want no matter how many doctors or nurses talk to them. Who don’t want to hear will feel.
I specifically offered to provide more information to Geluk hoping he would make the resource materials available to the Association members during their meetings. I did approach the then leaders of the association but were not open to any intervention protocol different from those approved by Allopathic science. On the other hand, it will be difficult to make available here, volumes of references on all I have studied on this subject. Lets hope Geluk would reach out to me and provide me with contact details. If that did not happen by the close of business on Friday this week, I would make my email address available on this platform for individuals to contact me. Should the owners of this website be willing to provide a column for a weekly dialogue on managing Chronic diseases naturally, our Nation would be better for it. Our health care delivery system in BVI cant afford to subscribe hook-line-and- sinker to modern day allopathic medical system as practiced by America when it comes to chronic diseases. Allopathic medicine has been highjacked by big time pharmas who ensured that Medical Doctors are trained on drug based interventions only. The average medical student spends 19 hours in a 4 year course, some less than 10 hours. The issue here is Marmon. This is why no one is coming with a cure for Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, the Big Pharmas lobbied to ensure that legally, only Doctors can claim cure for diseases. Naturopathic, Osteopathic etc cannot. Secondly, in order for a protocol to be certified a cure, an expensive research procedure must be followed. You need a patent to recoup the cost of the research but no one will grant you a patent on anything natural. Clinical trials on natural intervention protocols are not be evaluated beyond remission. Unfortunately, there is hardly any drug that can address most of these chronic diseases beyond the symptoms at the same time, side effects of drugs are always a major cause for concern. I have seen people with advanced stage of chronic diseases, empowering their bodies with essential minerals extracted the soil and plants and getting completely healed. The strength of Allopathic medicine in in Surgery, infections diseases and emergency response. They have advanced so well in these areas.
Sleep deprivation is a secondary factor, a factor among many. Alzheimer’s is not genetic but epigenetic. The major cause has been traced to Low level of cholesterol – poor insulation of the nerves or the brain cells. A brain scan at advanced stage of Alzheimer’s is likely going to show shrinkage. Can our medical Medical Doctors check this out? The society will gain if we all put efforts together to address this monster called Alzheimer’s. It makes life miserable for both the its victims, their care caregivers and family. Poor sleep hastens degeneration.
https://www.jillcarnahan.com/2017/09/25/2-surprising-facts-alzheimers/
Please don’t forget the conditions that many persons work in in the BVI. Most offices are full of mold and the buildings are not designed properly. While I recognize that the reason for this could be a combination of things, I see the environment in which many persons work as a HUGE contributing factor.
When I go to the Supermarket and see the prices I can understand why the population in the BVI does not eat a healthier diet. Who can afford that here? That is probably the reason the bread section at Rite Way is so large, fruits and vegetables are out of reach for a lot of people so it is white bread instead. Not everyone has a green thumb and can successfully plant vegetables, if they even have the space to do so.
@concern,
Love your comment! White has no value in my opinion,it’s the waste from wholesome bread that some bakery feel they can make fast money, and gullible people think that fast food ease hunger.
Everyone who lives in the Caribbean have a green thumb ,it requires common sense, which God blessed everyone with. Using it is some people problem.
Get some dirt and put a seed in it ,in 4,7,or 14 days there will be a plant.nurture it and it will produce food.
The journal Science News published in July 2022 list the 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia. Minimize Diabetes, Treat Hypertension, Stop Smoking, Prevent Head Injury, Reduce midlife Obesity, Exercise, Avoid Excessive Alcohol, Attain High Level of Education, Maintain Frequent Social Contact, Eat Well. Teach the people how to avoid these risks.
https://www.salk.edu/news-release/cannabinoids-remove-plaque-forming-alzheimers-proteins-from-brain-cells/
Most medical professionals are afraid to include healthy lifestyle and diet in their prescriptive protocols as it would affect their bottom line and discounts from Big Pharma.
How about all the unknown chemicals in the air from Pockwood pond being washed into cisterns. Sewage running in the streets. Poor quality city water. On & on ….. Hate to see the cancer rates compared other turd world countries
As promised and since Geluk did not reach out to me, anyone can contact me by email: [email protected] regading my texts above
this guy need to b in jail and i will remind him why