Excerpt from Dispatches From the Land of Alzheimer’s published yesterday in the Daily Mail

Yesterday the Daily Mail published an article based on my new book, Dispatches From the Land of Alzheimer’s. I think the Daily Mail editors did a really good job of organizing excerpts from the book into a cogent newspaper article for general readers. I had a chance last week to read and suggest edits for an earlier version, but I think I missed the title. I was never a dementia expert. I was a general neurologist who saw many dementia patients in a general practice that included everything from strokes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and migraines, to carpal tunnel syndrome and other neuropathies. I also missed that there was no mention of the book.  To those who are interested in my books, I recommend first reading A Tattoo on my Brain: A Neurologist’s Personal Battle against Alzheimer’s Disease. This is a good starting point for learning about Alzheimer’s disease, new treatments on the horizon, and lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of getting dementia and slow the progression once it appears. The new book, Dispatches from the Land of Alzheimer’s, is a collection of essays about new advances in research and my experiences living with the disease.  Most of these essays were based on posts on this blogsite over the last few years.

5 Responses

  1. Anne says:

    Congratulations, I think. A link to your books would have been great. And I think you certainly count as an expert for Daily Mail purposes, though maybe not for professional ones. Too late for modesty. I’m glad your experience and recommendations will reach so many people

  2. Leigh White says:

    It’s hard to manage all your media when you’re such a big star! It was so incredibly wonderful to spend time with you, And Lois, and to hear about your journey. You are really inspiring and there are many of us beyond myself and our family that really really appreciate all you are doing. Love you.

  3. Super book Daniel. I bought it after reading the Daily Mail article. I’ve been focused on minimising the risk of dementia though it didn’t start as that. I was in my early 30’s after a chance encounter with a chiropractor (I’m 60 this year) & as you, discovered a family history of dementia. My own father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about 6 years ago, after having to rescue him from the Philippines and a call from the British Embassy. Conversations over almost 20 years with customers in my tea room, training & my own thirst for discovery has led me to believe there is one missing element from your MIND green tea. My reading of research papers, testing of customers tea preferences & introducing to different teas, talking about lifestyle & diet has built up a picture. Blood group diets, particularly O, vitamin D deficiency, high intake of carbohydrates, lack of aerobic exercise, genetic disposition to dementia, diet can all increase the chances of developing dementia. Starting to address the lifestyle early key! So your book is fantastic… well done. Thankfully I’ve no signs of having the disease but your book gives me evidence that it’s not an obsession more scientific interest that drives my desire to learn & not take in a what will be, will be attitude. have already contacted the British Alzheimer’s Association, so thank you.

    • Dan says:

      Thank you for the kind words. I’ll look into the green tea!

      • Very important to brew it correctly. Add a couple of centimetres of cold water into the bottom of your mug or tea pot, then add your green tea, then freshly drawn boiling water, not re-boiled water. This is because you need 70 degrees max temperature (the cold water) and oxygen in the water (not reboiled water). This will give you a creamy, multi layer flavour rather than a bitter flat taste. You can also drink green tea iced. Good luck, though you won’t need it. Definitely helps me concentrate when I’m recalling history of teas and different teas full on during service.