Gerrard Kaonga
A man and woman claim to have seen multiple benefits after making some changes in order to beat Alzheimer’s Disease.
Alzheimer’s can often prove to be a difficult and devastating disease for those who are diagnosed, as well as for their families and loved ones.
However, two people have claimed they have 'beaten' the disease with straightforward and simple changes to their lifestyle.
Cici Zerbe and Simon Nicholls have both made these similar changes and stand by the results.
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The pair have been part of a CNN documentary, The Last Alzheimer’s Patient, where they detail their journey with the disease.
Cici is a participant in a clinical trial led by Dr. Dean Ornish, which has been exploring the impacts of significant lifestyle change on early dementia and mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s Disease.
For Cici, she simply adopted a plant-based diet and added serious exercise and wellness to her routine.
This hasn’t proven particularly easy as she has confessed to missing veal cutlets as she hasn’t had her fave food in over five years. However, she has remarked it is worth it as meditation, exercise and a change in diet has ‘reversed’ the symptoms for her.
Simon has spoken about the importance of changing his lifestyle for the benefit of his children.
“I was very worried,” he told Dr. Sanjay Gupta. “I have a three-year-old son and an eight-year-old son. It’s really important for me, as I get older, to try and be there for them in the future.”
“There are many [changes] in lifestyle you can do to hopefully push the disease backwards and give yourself more time, which is all we need until we find a cure,”
His determination to make a change to his lifestyle was very much fueled by the fact his mother also suffered with the disease.
She passed away in her 70s from what he suspects was dementia.
“For the last 10 years of her life, she just sat in a chair, rocking, while on about 14 medications," Simon shared.
"I’d much rather have a longer health span and then just go quickly.”
“Simon was on a mission, as if the Grim Reaper was peering over his shoulder. He was going to kick ass and take names,” preventative neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson, who oversaw Nicholls’ case said during the documentary.
“When I first saw Simon, he had a bit of a middle, like most guys in their 50s. When I saw him at nine weeks, I did a double take. He was totally buff, ripped even.”
Dr. Isaacson admitted that he was surprised that Simon's biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disappeared in just over a year following his lifestyle change.
If you've been affected by dementia or Alzheimer's and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact the Alzheimer's Association via 800.272.3900 open 24 hours seven days a week.