The Anti-Alzheimer's Prescription: The Science-Proven Plan to Start at Any Age

by Vincent Fortanasce

From a world-renowned neurologist: the first book to feature a scientifically substantiated program for the only treatment for Alzheimer’s: prevention.

Alzheimer’s is pandemic among older adults worldwide, and as baby boomers age it promises to be the Great American Epidemic of the twenty-first century. Unlike other books in the category, which focus primarily on caring for an Alzheimer’s patient after diagnosis, The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription presents a program to lower your risk by 70%:

• Assess your risk factors and determine your “Real Brain Age”

• Step One: the Anti-Alzheimer’s Diet, including recipes and a twenty-eight-day menu

• Step Two: daily physical exercises for the body and mind

• Step Three: daily “neurobics” to build a big brain reserve

• Step Four: the importance of stress reduction and quality sleep

• Making a diagnosis and the latest medical therapies being developed

For the millions of men and women at risk for developing this debilitating illness, The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription is a lifesaving breakthrough.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published July 31, 2008

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently listened to a 10 day web event called "Awakening from Alzheimer's". This author was one of the many interviewees on the program. His approach appealed to me--just solid common sense. I decided to read his book and was quite impressed. His program is based on 4 parts--good nutrition, plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and a combination of adequate sleep and stress reduction techniques. It all made sense to me and I'm already doing most of these things as part of my cardiac rehab program. So many of the other speakers were claiming cures by eating a tbs of coconut oil a day or taking 26 different supplements or eating herbs that come from the Amazon--stuff that seemed faddish and over the top to me. Dr. Fortanasce's plan is simple and accessible to anyone.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because I’m at risk for developing Alzheimer’s in the future, but couldn’t finish the book.

The author legitimately seems like an accomplished, competent doctor, but if this plan were as effective at preventing Alzheimer’s as it claims, everybody would know it and the author would be a national hero with his own day.

The plan boils down to maintaining a perfectly healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally challenging, drinking a boatload of green tea, and consuming a laundry list of vitamins and supplements.

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The big thing about this book is how much has changed since it was written and published. It has some good info in it and helpful tips, but it is not completely accurate anymore. A good place to start, but should not be the only intake of information on the topic.

[Maria Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written, book in an easy-to-read manner that gave me enough information to boost my confidence and to encourage me to make changes in my life to help prevent Alzheimers.

[Linda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription is an interesting look at one of the most dreaded diseases, Alzheimer’s. The book presents a fact-filled guide to better health and what lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent the onset of the disease.

Broken down in three parts, Dr. Fortanasce first explains in layman’s terms what is known about Alzheimer’s and how to evaluate your personal risk factors. The second part of the book is a four-step plan to help prevent the disease by targeting specific health needs of your body and brain. Part Three is the diagnosis, treatment, and future of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Fortanasce believes that even with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s that there are steps that can be taken to prevent or delay the disease. His experience as a neurologist, and even more personally with his own father, gives the doctor an insight into what lifestyle changes can be made to improve the odds of developing the disease. Using a science-based method with a holistic approach, the doctor gives health suggestions, exercises for both the body and the brain, relaxation techniques, and even menu plans with recipes. Especially interesting is the information on how important sleep is to our health and the importance of the treatment of sleep apnea.

To say this is an important book is an understatement. Alzheimer’s is such a devastating disease. If we can make smart choices in our life now, think of the impact we will make on our future.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of what Dr. Fortanasce recommends here is not news--eating, exercising, staying socially connected. What was new, at least for me, was the emphasis on "neurobics", which are brain exercises. This goes way beyond the cross-word puzzle, this is apparently a whole new field. My husband and I found several books that contain nothing but the neurobics exercises--will be fun to do even if we end up loosing our minds in the long run. Dr. Fortanasce is probably way too optimistic about how much all of this can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, (he'sa at high risk himself, with family history) but it sure is a better way to live out your life, and these same recommendations can help with other health issues, like heart, or depression.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

this disease is the 2nd most feared medical condition after cancer. There is little new info in the book that is not already mentioned regularly in the press. but is nicely consolidated here.

the essentials are:
- exercise
- eat well (incl. antidioxant in your diet)
- exercise your mind
- exercise again

things that everyone already knows, but does little. Books like this help you to re-focus on what you should do.

Enjoy!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course the "prescription" is the same advice we have heard for years but I really liked how Dr Fortansce approached teaching you about Alzheimers as well as giving the WHY for the lifestyle changes he prescribes - exercise, diet, keeping your brain active basically. But instead of just saying "do this", he describes the reasons, what is going on in your body and how it reacts to your lifestyle choices.

It gave me renewed determination to follow this lifestyle and that's just what I needed!

[Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess any knowledge about this topic is OK, this however claims to be a prescription for avoiding the disease and I doubt it will do so if it is in your destiny. However, nothing here will do you any harm:
Exercise, rest, eat well, avoid stress, seek happy relationships and always learn new things.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been eating steel-cut oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast ever since I finished reading the book! Ended up buying a copy of it for my mom's 68th birthday present. Very well done and gently introduces the idea that diet, exercise, stress elimination, and social involvement may be more effective than any magic pill...

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, I am obsessed. Nothing new. Eat right, exercise, and stay active.

[Dolores Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exercise, eat wisely -- validates other things I've heard.

[Joibinsac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book. Very informative

I was researching information for someone I know. This book has a lot of good information. I will probably read it again.