Beaufort woman alters aspects of her life in efforts toward Alzheimer's prevention

When Debra Faulkner had some medical tests done recently to find out which toxins were present in her, the Beaufort native was surprised to discover she had a high level of aluminum in her body. Her surprise turned to deep concern when she learned there is a possible link between high

levels of aluminum and the development of Alzheimer's disease, which her mother, Mary Blyzes, suffers from.

Alzheimer's disease is a chronic, degenerative condition characterized by

progressive memory loss and deterioration of intellect and judgment, followed by loss of coordination and ability to perform motor functions.

The disease, which affects more than 1 million Americans, is more prevalent in certain families, possibly due to a genetic factor. Actual diagnosis is possible only after death, where senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles have been observed in the brain under microscope.

"I did a detox treatment to get rid of the aluminum that I have in my body," said Faulkner, 45. "I've also been staying away from certain things like canned vegetables, canned drinks and deodorant that has aluminum in it, which is almost every kind of deodorant. (Also) no tin foil and no

antacids."

After undergoing the testing, which included hair and saliva analysis, Faulkner also discovered she was allergic to wheat, which she has eliminated from her diet.

"That has really changed my life right there," she said laughing. "I've lost 6 inches on my waist."

Faulkner's physician, Dr. Gregory Lonscak of Advanced Health Center in Beaufort, usually recommends three-week detox programs to his patients, but because of Faulkner's high level of aluminum, he recommended a five-week program for her.

In addition to eliminating aluminum, Faulkner drank a detoxification drink named Ultra Clear made by

Metagenics. She drank the concoction 5 to 8 times a day during her detox.

"It's rice protein that you mix with water and drink," Faulkner explained. "You buy the container, and you mix it yourself. I keep some at work."

Lonscak said that while Ultra Clear is not necessarily treating the metals present in the body, it's a good way to detox the liver, which is why he recommended it to Faulkner.

"The liver is the major organ of detoxification in the body," said Lonscak. "What we're trying to do is help the body function better so it can get rid of (toxins) itself. We also usually keep people on a pretty bland diet. The digestive system is where a lot of those toxins are, so, if we want to get the digestive system to detox itself, we can't keep eating food that has a lot of processed chemicals. We give the body and the digestive system a rest so that detoxification can take place."

Faulkner is an employee of Hair Designs by Suzi, but taking care of her mother occupies much of her time. Rather than placing her in a nursing home, Faulkner's family in Beaufort cares for Blyzes, 78, who was diagnosed about eight years ago.

"We have a large family," said Faulkner. "She lives with my dad and one of my sisters. I take care of her on Thursdays. I take care of all her medical stuff, take her to the doctor and make her appointments. You hear that some Alzheimer's patients are

difficult, but she's very pleasant."

For the past 20 years, Alzheimer's Family Services of Greater Beaufort has played an important role in assisting local Alzheimer's patients as well as helping families cope with loved ones battling the disease.

"We don't get so many questions about prevention," said Maria Landry, the organization's executive director. "Usually by the time they come to us, they already know that they have it or their loved one has it. We get a lot of requests for assistance."

Alzheimer's Family Services of Greater Beaufort provides an array of programs, from a support group that meets twice a week and social day programs for clients with Alzheimer's or any other neurological problems, to in-home respite for people who prefer to stay at home and an early memory-loss management program.

"We've also got community education and a home educator," said Landry. "As far as healthy diet, we call it maintaining your brain. The best way to maintain your brain and prevent these sorts of things in general, even for

Alzheimer's, is just eat healthy, exercise, maintain healthy social networking and learn new things as often as you can, (but) there's no proven way to prevent the disease."

Landry added that they have a maintain your brain program that meets twice a month. She said while no one has been able to prove what causes Alzheimer's, healthier people get sick less often.

"Do I say (eliminating toxins) are a cure for Alzheimer's? No, but minerals are kind of like what gas is to a car," said Lonscak. "You need to have them in certain ranges and ratios in order for the body to be healthy. Metals, like aluminum for instance, can interfere with a lot of gland production. A lot of medicines have got aluminum in them, like antacids. Quite a number of things certainly can build those things up."

According to Analytical Research Labs, a number of hypotheses have been advanced for the cause of Alzheimer's, including genetic factors, neurotoxins

like aluminum, acetylcholine deficiency and deficiency of calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron.

"It's not like the levels of aluminum that you use with deodorants and that sort of thing are at (high) levels," said Lonscak. "The problem is with our diets and everything else, we're building those levels in our body over time, more than our body can actually get out, so it's low levels constantly that build up."

Faulkner said while her family is coping with her mother's disease, the memory loss can be difficult to handle, which is something many other families also struggle with.

"I think it's probably hardest on my dad and my sister since the three of them live together," said Faulkner. "(Mom) doesn't really know who we are. She recognizes us, but she won't be able to tell you my name. I don't even know that she knows I'm her daughter, (but) like I said, she's been very pleasant, so we've been fortunate in that way."

In eliminating aluminum from her life, Faulkner has also given up something that many people could not live without: a microwave. While some people would find it difficult to live without such a common appliance, Faulkner doesn't miss it.

"I really am not a big microwave user anyway," she said. "I only used it occasionally to warm things up, but now I don't do that at all."