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.
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