Dr. Rosemary Laird

From the desk of Rosemary Laird, MD

Founder of Navigating Aging Needs (NAN), LLC

Eating Your Way to a Healthier Brain
NAN admin NAN admin

Eating Your Way to a Healthier Brain

When I wrote recently about a new study suggesting that levels of lithium in the brain may be a factor in Alzheimer's, I was careful to emphasize that real-world application of the research may be far away into the future.

But in fact, there are lifestyle changes you can make, right now, that numerous studies have shown helps manage the disease and even prevent it — and a new study, out this month, even more strongly reinforces those findings. As exciting as this ability to slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease is, I understand it may be bittersweet news as you think of your loved one. So far, none of these strategies has been found to reverse the damage of Alzheimer's disease or significantly slow the disease.

Read More
A Potential New Direction in Alzheimer's
NAN admin NAN admin

A Potential New Direction in Alzheimer's

Now comes a study from Harvard University that, if true  and that’s still a big if — could totally change medicine’s thinking about what causes Alzheimer’s disease, and how to treat it. 

Read More
Alzheimer's Awareness and You
NAN admin NAN admin

Alzheimer's Awareness and You

In truth, I wish that Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, which takes place during June, could be every month. Certainly, that’s the case for caregivers of the 55 million loved ones worldwide who are living with Alzheimer’s. 

Read More
Improve Brain Health One Meal at a Time
NAN admin NAN admin

Improve Brain Health One Meal at a Time

“You are what you eat,” as the old saying goes, and those of us in the medical realm who treat aging Americans have long suspected that diet plays a big role in a person’s mental health. Now a new study confirms that there is a strong relationship between following the so-called MIND diet and reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Read More
Hope on the Horizon
NAN admin NAN admin

Hope on the Horizon

Amid the everyday challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, there is often an overarching concern that every caregiver carries: How to stay hopeful for your loved one’s benefit. 

Read More
Your Body On Fire
NAN admin NAN admin

Your Body On Fire

The new drug known as Ozempic is being seen as something of a wonder drug for helping people lose weight. But the drug also points to a new way to think about the causes and treatment of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. That’s because Ozempic, and other drugs like it (which are known as “GLP-1 receptor agonists”) appear to target what is rapidly beginning to be realized as a major factor in many of the diseases that affect modern civilization — inflammation.

Read More
Nature's Bounty!
NAN admin NAN admin

Nature's Bounty!

I love summer when it gets into full swing. Sure, it is occasionally very hot, and there are occasionally fierce storms, but the sun and water that power these weather phenomena also have the wonderful effect of making plants explode in growth at this time of year. The local farmers' markets burst with flavors and tastes of all kinds, from plump tomatoes to crunchy carrots to juicy watermelon. Every bite reminds me of the amazing natural processes that, almost miraculously, have evolved the ability to turn sunlight and water into food for us to eat.

Read More