WHAT HELPS MEMORY LOSS

Q. What's the difference between God and a surgeon? A. God doesn't think he's a surgeon. There is no doubt that memory loss, dementia and alzheimers are partially caused by our lifestyle. Although people are living healthier lives some persist in activities that will encourage memory problems. In my own case I think that the Atkins diet was a wrong choice. My late wife and I believed completely in a low carbohydrate high fat diet. This was mainly to control weight which was caused by high drinking levels and rich foods. In addition smoking my surgeon told me two years ago played a big part in the narrowing of my arteries resulting in the need for a stint. That surgeon called Andrew Murray undoubteddly saved my life. In the case of my wife the high fat diet contributed to her strokes and untimely death at 59. Research shows that in addition to healthy eating and not smoking, exercise is critical. Interestingly, even after memory loss has become dementia or alzheimer, walking 9 miles a week can extend life expectancy. Also, continuing to use the brain is vital. Even reading helps tremendously and playing intense mind games such as chess very beneficial. One thing that emerged from my research is that apart from the above factors overeating can also contribute to memory loss, dementia and alzheimers. Personal belief also helps n dealing with memory loss because it reduces stress, encourages happiness and contentment. One thing that strikes me today is how in many areas people are taking better care of their health and yet so many people continue to take drugs. Although the majority of TIK takers in the Western Cape are the poor living in the shanty towns there is a surprisingly high percentage of older, middle class people who become addicted. When I was writing 'The Devil Pays The Piper' I did a lot of research into drug taking and it amazed me how many middle aged men tried TIK just once and because of the addictive nature of this drug within months there lives were ruined. Houses and furniture sold,wives and children abandoned or even abused. A trail of ruined lives. So the struggle to stay healthy is a very hard one. What I found the most heart braking were the number of children born to addicted mothers who would of course suffer terrible health problems and probably early death. To close, optimism also remains a high necessity in both warding off memory loss, dementia and alzheimers. In fact it is not apparently inevitable that memory loss at a serious level will strike. Much is about lifestyle, but heredity also plays a part. Like so many things in life luck is also important! The weather is glorious today and predicted to be a cool 29%. Not quite hot enough for swimming with Boysie, but perfect for lunch in the garden. Julian is deeply engrossed in designing some brides maids garments and the wedding dress is being finihsed by daughter Chia Ing. Typical females, they want to keep it a secret until the great revelation. I see no deterioration in my memory this week, except for one strange thing. I have a second phone which I rarely use and I tried to find it. As always asked my wife to help hunt and I explained that it was a red one. She looked at me as if I was mad. "It's black and silver." She said. I laughed. "I know my own phone." I due course Julian found it and sure enough it was black and silver. Julian gently explained that I had had a red one, but that was over two years ago. What tricks the memory plays! Keep taking the tablets. David Barnato. Paarl. South Africa,