Mainstream Med SKYROCKETS Dementia Death Risk 7x?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 2, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
If you have a loved one who has dementia, you know how bad it can be…
It’s not just the forgetfulness that’s hard on them (and you too!).
But anyone who has been a caregiver will tell you one of the most difficult things to see is agitation – which is when your loved one will “act out” by pacing, squirming, or saying inappropriate things.
It’s one of the saddest parts of dementia, as you watch someone you thought you knew become a totally different person.
And now new research has found that the number one mainstream solution for dementia not only doesn’t work… it could SKYROCKET your death risk up to 7x!
*****
If you were going to pick a drug to give to someone who is feeling nervous and agitated, antidepressants and antipsychotics might be at the top of your list.
But according to a new study in The Lancet, one antidepressant in particular could shorten the life of dementia patients dramatically.
The researchers in this study compared the use of an antidepressant called mirtazapine (Remeronsoltab, Remero) to a placebo, and found that the drug was nearly useless.
The same number of people who got the antidepressant were still agitated when compared to the placebo group.
But what really blew the minds of the research team was that there were seven times more deaths in the mirtazapine group compared to the placebo group…
And the study only lasted for 16 weeks!
This study expands on a previous study of antipsychotics such as Quetiapine, Olanzapine, Aripiprazole, which also raised the risk of death in people with dementia.
So, what can you do to help a loved one who is agitated?
Movement is the best treatment.
You probably know this for yourself as well – when you feel anxious, the best remedy is to move your body around.
Walking is always a good choice, but this can be difficult depending on where the patient lives – some care facilities are small and locked.
But you can get creative with movement: art, crafts, music and dancing are also good exercise.
If your loved one is in a facility, talk with the caregivers about adding is some type of movement to the daily routine. And make sure your review their medications.
P.S. Did you know that these three eye diseases could be a warning sign of dementia? Find out what they are right here.
SOURCES:
Maust DT, Kim HM, Seyfried LS, et al. Antipsychotics, Other Psychotropics, and the Risk of Death in Patients With Dementia: Number Needed to Harm. JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(5):438–445. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3018 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2203833
Melore, Chris. Common antidepressant shows no benefits, higher risk of death for dementia patients. 10/22/21. https://www.studyfinds.org/common-antidepressant-dementia/
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
Liver Brain Link Will Have You Rethinking Memory Loss
Here’s something that might surprise you… Your liver could be secretly sabotaging your brain health. We know that what happens in the liver doesn’t always stay in the liver. But now, groundbreaking research reveals just how deeply this vital organ’s health is connected to a critical aspect of aging… your memory and thinking skills. Scientists...
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...
Ditch “Calendar Age” to Live Longer and BETTER
“Age is just a number.” If we’ve heard that phrase once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. So, it’s easy to dismiss the thought. But the truth is, how old you feel is more critical than the number of candles on your birthday cake. Let me explain… Imagine the following scenario… Two 65-year-olds walk into...
5 Reasons to Eat MORE Pumpkin This Fall
When you think of fall, what comes to mind? Colorful leaves? Cozy sweaters? How about pumpkins? Sure, you probably carved one for Halloween, and you may bake a couple cans of it into a pie for Thanksgiving. But what if I told you that this humble squash could ALSO be your secret weapon for staying...