Ann Louise Johnson - Operation Hope: Alzheimers? Dementia? Cognitive Decline? 8 Pillars to Healthier, Stronger, Longer

Copyright 2018 Ann-Louise Johnson

Operation Hope: Alzheimers? Dementia? Cognitive Decline? 8 Pillars to Live Healthier, Stronger, Longer

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Ann L. Johnson

1135 Georgetown Road

Suite 120

Christiana, PA 17509

717-786-4798

Ordering Information:

Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address above.

www.dnaofhope.com | www.annljohnson.com

Orders by US trade bookstores and wholesalers.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2018

ISBN-13 (Paperback): 978-1-64255-160-0

ISBN-13 (Hardcover): 978-1-64255-161-7

ISBN-13 (Createspace): 978-1986649858

ISBN-10 (Createspace): 1986649857

ASIN: B0782RXXN9

NOTE TO READER:

This book was not written as a medical argument or to preach scientific jargon. Rather, it is a story about things that really matteryour life, your family, and your happiness. I spent forty years standing in front of patients in despair. And I found the medicine of hope to be as strong as any pharmaceutical development. With hope, many become victorious. I hope that after reading this book, you will join the ranks of victors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATIONS

My clients. Thank you for holding on until I found you.

My parents. Dad, thank you for blessing me with your mantle of courage and adventure. Mom, thank you for the incredible gift of reading, and the hope reading grows.

My siblings. Perry and Priscilla, my brother and sister, and to the nine hearts that didnt make it to this life, but made it into my heart. Forever isnt long enough to love you.

My readers. With this book in hand, light the eternal flame within you. The flame of hope, yes, Operation Hope.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

With marvel and joy, I acknowledge the following professionals: Rita M. Rhoads, CNP, MPH; Anna B. Morris, Health Coach; Deborah A. Everett, longtime friend and mentor; Arlene Weaver, hero and friend; Jeffrey Bland, PhD; Peter DAdamo, ND; David Jones, MD; Ben Lynch, ND; Bernarda Zenker, MD; Mark Houston, MD; Dale Bredesen, MD; Robert K. Naviaux, MD, PhD; and Andreas Wagner, PhD.

CHAPTER ONE

WELCOME TO OPERATION HOPE

magine a woman. Imagine knowing this womans life storyher strengths, triumphs, brilliance, gifts, and contributions to others, as well as to society overall. Imagine cherishing her with all your heart. Imagine that she is your mother.

And as you approach her with thousands of jumbled emotions all bunched up in your heart, see her beautiful eyes look back at you blank and empty, as if someone, or something, had stolen the vibrant, brilliant person she once was and left only a shell to remain. Shes there, but shes not. And while you are grateful that you can still be with her, still hug her, still tell her that you love her you cant help but miss the person she once was, and to cravejust one more timefor her eyes to look back at you with the understanding, strength, and the sort of unspoken love that only your mother could share.

This is what it means and what it feels like to have a parent suffering from Alzheimers, dementia, or cognitive decline. These silent diseases are not often talked about, or even thought about until you are the child, longing for the parent you once knew.

However, cognitive disorders are on the rise.

By 2050, the number of people living with Alzheimers is projected to grow to 160 million new cases, globally.

Stop and think about that for a second. 160 million people diagnosed with Alzheimers by 2050.

These are staggering numbers. And they are unacceptable numbers.

Our elderly are stripped of their memory, stripped of their abilities to do basic tasks. They lose their words. They are ostracized, and in return they ostracize themselves. Their world gets smaller and smaller. They stop going out into public for even simple tasks, for fear they will no longer recognize the faces of friends and associates.

Because we dont think of Alzheimers as a curable disease, we unknowingly allow those who suffer from it to make it worsethrough unhealthy diets, lack of brain stimulation, and an overall solitary existence.

Cognitive disorders are one of the greatest threats of today. They are the misunderstood, silent thieves of our quality of life. They are diseases that we have not previously understood and therefore have been accepted as an unfortunate potential part of life. Whats worse? These diseases are quickly escalating from personal tragedy to societal tragedy. Soon it will not just be a problem for the unseen and unheard; it will something that touches almost all of us in one way or another.

It doesnt have to be this way.

Today, there is a new brand of researchers who refuse to allow such pain to continue unchallenged. There is a new thinking. A new possibility

What if we changed our mindset and our beliefs about cognitive disorders?

What if Alzheimers was a form of cancer, at the molecular level?

And what if scientists were making headway in regenerating those abnormal molecules?

What if it was possible to actually grow new brain cells? To grow new neurons? And to stimulate new synapses?

I have news for youthis is not science-fiction. This is where we are heading, and what is possible right now.

However, without a concerted, unified effort to prevent, or at a minimum to delay, the onset of Alzheimers, this disease will become something we will no longer be able to ignore. There is a tidal wave approaching. If millions of people per year will soon be facing cognitive disease, who will get the care? And how will this impact our already unstable healthcare system?

The cruelty and pervasiveness of this disease demand a movementthat is, enough people with the courage to believe in what is possible. And to actually apply these new scientific breakthroughs with faith and steadfast determination.

Its easy to look the other wayto feel sorry for those whom this affectsand to pray that it never happens to us.

Until that person becomes your parent. And until you accept that we often live into our family trends and that you may be next to suffer.

My message today is about HOPE.

Hope for your parents.

Hope for your family and friends.

Hope for you.

New genomic studies now prove that these diseases CAN be reversedand even betterprevented. Genomic scientific studies show our genes are influenced by our environmentmeaning the food we eat, the air we breathe, the toxins we are exposed to, etc. And right now, we are living in the era of a new genomic frontierwe are only at the forefront of understanding how incredible the inner genius that makes up each and every one of our cells is.