As birthdays keep coming around, wouldn’t it be nice to feel like you were
"youthing" instead of "aging"? That balance and clarity
were growing, instead of fading? New approaches are showing promising results
of reversing the aging trends, even in cases of brain deterioration such as
Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, a brain disorder affecting
a person’s memory and ability to articulate and think clearly. About 4.5 million
older Americans suffer from the disease. It begins to develop early in life,
driven by your genetic makeup, lifestyle, diet and environmental influences.
Drugs, alcohol and the buildup of toxins over the years affect our brain’s ability
to function efficiently. As Alzheimer’s progresses, the gaps in memory disrupt
a person’s ability to lead a normal, self-sufficient life. Several drugs on
the market can reduce some of the symptoms, but they don’t seem to impact the
course of Alzheimer’s. The number of cases is expected to quadruple by 2050.
A natural, holistic approach offered at The Raj Ayurveda Health Spa in Fairfield,
Iowa incorporates effective interventions and prevention treatments to prevent
Alzheimer’s. Experts trained in Maharishi Ayurveda, a revival of an ancient
system of natural health, uses pulse assessment to determine specific imbalances
in the physiology, which could predispose to the onset of Alzheimer’s or other
neurological disorders. Pulse assessment is a powerful tool for designing individual
treatment programs that also include specific recommendations for lifestyle
and diet.
Early Diagnosis and Research Offer Rays of Hope
Early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s makes it possible to delay, if
not reverse, the symptoms. A PET scan or MRI may detect and track early pre-clinical
changes as early as age 30, showing variations in brain metabolism, blood flow,
and receptor functions.
The neuroimage shows two aging brains: the left one belongs to a healthy individual
and the right one to an Alzheimer’s patient with greatly reduced metabolism.
Another recent finding is the role of glial cells in the very early stages
of the disease. Glial cells are known to play a role in maintaining the myelin
(insulation) of the brain and influence the brain’s connectivity, which usually
deteriorates after age 30, triggering mental decline.
"Whatever strategies permit healthy functioning of glial cells could delay
or prevent many age-related brain problems," noted neuroscientist Alarik
Arenander, Ph.D.
Don’t Let Your Brain "Dry Up"
In Ayurvedic understanding, as we age our brains and bodies gradually become
more agitated and dry. This is seen in the "shrinking" effect of Alzheimer’s
on the brain. In the diagram, the difference between a normal, healthy senior
and an Alzheimer’s patient is evident. This "drying" effect can be
remedied by proper diet, digestion, and routine.
The Anti-Aging Program at The Raj restores balance at the fundamental level
of one’s physiology, waking up the body’s own inner intelligence so that it
can heal itself. In Maharishi Ayurveda, there are three primary forms of intelligence
in the body – termed vata, pitta, and kapha – and each is responsible for different
bodily processes, such as movement, digestion or stability. As we age, the forms
naturally shift in predominance. In the later years, vata becomes predominant
with its qualities of motion and communication, tending to make our minds and
bodies more unstable, drier, and more agitated. This in turn greatly increases
the likelihood of disease, including stroke and dementia.
The secret to successful aging is to keep the three in balance. By increasing
the kapha aspect, you increase longevity by adding more stability and lubrication.
By decreasing vata, drying, agitation and disruption of mind and body become
less. To achieve this, the Ayurvedic expert offers individualized recommendations
of diet, exercise, and specific anti-aging treatments to promote balance and
nourishment to the brain. This helps counteract the brain’s natural "drying"
tendency and establishes an optimum level of mental and physical function.
Bringing Back the Balance through Rejuvenation Treatments
The Ayurveda health consultant at The Raj uses pulse diagnosis to pinpoint the
specific imbalances in your physiology, many of which may be asymptomatic and
then creates a personalized treatment program to address your particular needs.
Next, you will experience the relaxing and rejuvenating influence of two and
a half hours of specialized treatments per day. The procedures are extremely
soothing and cater to your comfort. Many of the treatments use herbalized oils
prescribed to suit your body’s needs. One is a soothing full-body massage done
by a synchronized team of two technicians. The slightly warm, nourishing oil
penetrates deeply into the tissues to loosen impurities.
In a different treatment, a soothing flow of herbalized oil is poured gently
and slowly across the forehead, creating a delightful and profound relaxation
that settles and balances the entire nervous system. (Insert attached picture
of shirodhara treatment)
Another treatment focuses on the nasal passages, considered in Ayurveda to be
a key connection to the brain. A gentle massage is applied to the head and face,
followed by inhalation of herbalized steam. This procedure is also helpful for
chronic sinusitis and allergies.
The Ayurveda Health expert will also suggest herbs to improve brain circulation
and reduce cellular stress. Maharishi Amrit Kalash, for example, is an herbal
food preparation that has been shown scientifically to be a more potent free
radical scavenger than Vitamins A, C or E. All herbs at The Raj have tested
free of contaminants.
Longevity Indicators
It’s been scientifically proven that the purification treatments available
at The Raj promote longevity, through reducing cardiovascular risk factors,
lipid peroxide and total cholesterol levels. The program also reduces blood
pressure, anxiety, and toxins, such as lead, PCBs, and dioxins.
Practical Tips To Nourish Your Brain
Proper diet and exercise are the most important factors in creating a healthy
brain, and you can begin them now, at any age. When they’re tailored to your
specific constitution, they’re even more effective. In your self-care regime,
emphasize:
Mental activity: Stay mentally alert by reading,
playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, and writing.
Stay physically active by walking and playing
an enjoyable sport.
Eat a wide variety of fresh, organic fruits and green vegetables, and include
milk products (contains vitamin B12, essential for proper nervous system function)
in your diet. If you are feeling mentally weak and experiencing memory loss,
have your doctor check your vitamin B levels.
Have plenty of anti-oxidants in your diet. Free radicals and oxidative stress
are major factors in premature aging of the system.
Include high quality oils in your diet sautéed
with spices. Since the brain is over 50% fat in composition, nervous system
tissue is most nourished by oils, especially ghee (clarified butter). Maharishi
Ayurveda recommends sautéing spices into your cooking oils to make them
the most active in the body and help them nourish the nervous system tissue.
Organic ghee and olive oil are the best cooking oils.
To set yourself on the path to a healthy, youthful brain, begin now to care
for this part of your body just as you would any other organ. The Raj offers
treatments that are based on ancient wisdom of a body in perfect balance, while
using cutting-edge technology and scientific research to aid in prevention of
modern diseases. Your experience at The Raj promises to be rejuvenating!
For more information, contact The Raj Ayurveda Health Spa at 1 (800) 248-9050.
You can also visit www.theraj.com for more specific
details on programs and treatments.
