Feelings of Apathy May be a Serious Red Flag
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 21, 2021
Dear Reader,
I have a few important questions for you…
Do you ever find yourself not having much enthusiasm or concern in your day-to-day life?
Or perhaps you’ve noticed these signs of apathy in someone you love?
If so, I urge you NOT to chalk these off as “mood swings” or just a temporary “phase”.
Because you see, lack of carrying or apathy could be a red flag for a very serious disease.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge, publishing their work in the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, found a close association between feelings of apathy and Alzheimer’s disease.
Apathy or the loss of interest or motivation, is a common sign of many diseases. The list includes depression and other mental conditions and hormonal changes (like low thyroid) or low blood sugar.
But this is the first study to find apathy may be a sign of dementia.
The researcher team investigated a specific type of dementia called frontotemporal dementia – which is one of the leading causes of dementia in younger folks (typically striking between the ages of 45 and 65).
With frontotemporal dementia there are behavior and language changes along with personality changes. Patients sometimes are more impulsive and engage in inappropriate or compulsive behavior (picture a severe midlife crisis and you got it).
One of the common threads of this type of dementia is people become apathetic, losing interest in things they normally enjoy.
While it looks like depression on the outside, it is actually dementia triggered by a shrinkage of a particular region of the front of your brain (called the frontotemporal region).
Now, we all go through periods of our lives where we don’t care, or feel sad. But if it’s persistent, then you’ll want to talk to your doctor.
Of course, it is also a good idea to rule out low thyroid hormone, psychiatric illness (such as depression) and problems with blood sugar. But this persistent loss of interest is something to investigate, especially if you notice it in someone you love.
In the meantime, keep your brain as healthy as possible with the following:
- Magnesium: Start with the easiest thing first. I recommend taking 400 mg of magnesium a day (more than the study showed was effective). Magnesium is also good for your heart, your brain, and your muscles.
- Fish Oil: Your brain needs good oils in order to function well, and fish oil is your best bet.
- Stop Inflammation: Your brain is especially susceptible to inflammation and high inflammation can cause depression. I like curcumin and bacopa to support good brain health.
- Get good sleep: This can be hard sometimes, but If you need help, look to melatonin, theanine, and calming herbs to help you.
- Exercise: I know when you are feeling low it is hard to get out and do something like exercise. But simple exercise is scientifically proven to ease depression.
P.S. Could this drug be putting you on the FAST TRACK for dementia? Click here to find out if you’re taking it, and all the important details.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...