Mind Mimizing Drugs at a Pharmacy Near You......

From a health perspective there is nothing more worrisome as having memory or mind processing issues.  This is especially true if you have seen the impact of Alzheimer’s disease.  The study published online, November 2012, in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia offered a look at common drugs that impact cognition.  In just as little as two months, this class of drugs, known as anticholinergics, showed a 50 % increased risk of “mild cognitive impairment”.  Personally, I need all the brain power I can get.

Anticholinergics impact the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.  This communication chemical works in the brain and in nerve tissue for muscle activation.  It functions in memory, decision making and in sleep.  Acetylcholine is made from acetic acid (vinegar) and choline, a B vitamin.  A good source of choline is found in lecithin as phosphatidyl coline and is a good memory supplement.

Ironically, Benadryl® (diphenhydramine), an anti-histamine has long been used for sleep due to its drowsiness side effect.  Most would consider it as generally harmless.  But if it decreases your acetylcholine then sleep quality can be affected.  This is one of many drugs in a class of anticholinergic drugs that impair cognitive function.  Interesting is that many of the Alzheimer’s drugs work to inhibit an enzyme that degrades acetylcholine.  Some of these patients are also receiving some of the above drugs.

Others include but are not limited to:

Hyoscyamine (Levsin®, Donnatal®, Levbid®, HyoMax SR®)

Methscopolamine (Pamine®)

Dicyclomine (Bentyl®)

Bupropion (Wellbutrin®)

Dextromethorphan (common cough suppressant)

Ipratropium (Atrovent®)

Tiotropium (Spiriva®)

Products that may help memory include lecithin, coconut oil, Cerecomp, and Gaia Mental Alertness.

Stay Well!

Safe Weed Killer

The ever popular Round Up weed killer is toxic to humans and the environment.  Here is a cheap and effective way to kill unwanted weeds and grass without the harsh chemicals.  The picture is one day after I sprayed the formula in a strip.  The dying vegetation was the same as the right and left.

One Gallon of Vinegar
1/2 cup of table salt
1 teaspoonful of dish washing detergent.

If you use this in your garden you could substitute Himalayan Salt to add trace minerals to the dirt.

Stay Well!

Honey Garlic and Vinegar

Long before patented medicine, tonics were homemade remedies made from common household ingredients.  A tonic is considered a medicinal preparation that is intended to strengthen or improve body function or well being.  You could make you own tonic from just about anything including: vinegar, honey, molasses, lemon juice, garlic, cinnamon, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, ginger, baking soda, peppermint leaves, or Himalayan salt.  There are hundreds of choices and recipes that are touted as a remedy, cure, or miracle.  While results vary, it is certain that each of the above ingredients have nourishing and medicinal properties that can stimulate change in the body.

One such “Miracle Elixir” is the Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar, and honey tonic.  This tonic is well represented on the Internet and is available as a book, “The Honey, Garlic and Vinegar Miracle”, and “Honey, Garlic, & Vinegar Home Remedies”.  I had to try it and found it almost palatable if diluted in juice.

One Cup of Raw Local Honey

One Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg’s)

8 Cloves of garlic

Blend on high speed for 60 seconds and leave in the refrigerator for five days.  Two teaspoonfuls daily is reported to aide an array of dis-ease including arthritis, elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, colds and infections, to name a few. 

Where is the evidence?  The National Cancer institute offers information that garlic significantly lowers the risk of cancer.  Vinegar is a foundation of many tonics with impressive benefits, especially for arthritis, blood sugar control, and as an anti-infective.  Honey contains at least 31 nutrients including 13 minerals, component parts of nine vitamins, six acids and four key enzymes. 

With all this support it may be worth your effort.

Stay Well!