Dear Dr. Simon, I have two friends whose mothers have Alzheimer’s. What would be the best way to help them both my friends and their moms? I have read several of your replies in the archives of your "Ask Dr. Simon" column, and your answers are very enlightening. However, I couldn’t find any questions on this subject and I wanted to know more about what Alzheimer’s is. What does it symbolize? What guidance could I offer my friends? Please advise.

Although our understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is rapidly expanding, scientists do not yet fully understand what causes the progressive cell death and tissue loss in the brains of people with AD. Most experts do agree that the build-up of certain proteins in the brain plays a major role in the development of the disease. These deposits of protein form plaques that disrupt the normal activity of neurons.

Recent studies have indicated that risk factors that increase our risk for stroke may also play a role in the development of AD. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. We therefore have another good reason to commit to taking the best care of ourselves we can.

Dear Dr. Simon, I would like to know if depression can really be cured by allopathic medicine (using antidepressant drugs such as Prozac). Also, could you tell me what the Ayurvedic approach to depression is and if there are any other alternative treatments you’d suggest. Thanks and regards.

According to the conventional medical model, depression results from an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. The most predominant imbalance involves the natural messenger molecule serotonin, but other neurotransmitters are also involved. The class of antidepressants known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), act by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, thereby improving mood. In general, conventional medicine focuses on managing rather than curing depression.

I am a 53-year-old woman. I try to eat a diet of mainly quality pure foods (good teas, pure water, and low sugar) and vitamins. I often crave carbohydrates though, and my level of exercise activity is low, and I’m about 40 pounds overweight right now. I don’t seem to have menopause symptoms, but my allergies and asthma (environmental) is just terrible. My sinuses feel dry, I have some inflammation in my rib area, and I have some neck muscle tightness and a little numbness too. My lungs feel tight and I’m wheezing at night, but my lung X-rays are all fine. I know I am imbalanced – maybe too much Kapha – and I’m just trying to figure out food-wise, what to add and what to eliminate. Thank you.

The perimenopausal period is a time of powerful transformation for a woman’s physiology, and it’s common for women to experiences imbalances as a result of the physical changes that are occurring. The Ayurvedic explanation for your symptoms is that your digestive fire – your agni – is weakened, and your body is therefore accumulating ama, which is undigested toxic residue. This is the time to practice pratyahara, which means sensory withdrawal. I would encourage you to perform a 24-hour liquid fast, in which you only drink freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, and gentle, caffeine-free herbal teas. During this 24-hour period, I’d also encourage you to perform an Ayurvedic oil massage – a self-abhyanga – three times a day.

What do you think about the outbreak of swine flu and what can we do to avoid getting sick?

The outbreak of swine flu reminds us of our interdependence with all the sentient beings with whom we share the planet. Although our senses try to tell us otherwise, there is no distinct boundary between our personal body and the extended body of our environment, which are in constant, dynamic exchange. As information is emerging that this virus is likely to have originated from an area where factory pig farming is prevalent, we’re reminded that our personal and collective choices have consequences.

It is written that yogis used to fast. Does Ayurveda promote fasting? If so, what doshas are more compatible with the practice and under what circumstances?

In the Yoga Sutras, the ancient sage Patanjali outlined eight major limbs of yoga, the fifth of which is known as Pratyahara – a word that can be roughly translated as “sensory fasting.” Pratyahara is the process of temporarily withdrawing our senses from the world so that we can experience an inner state of silent awareness. Both yoga and Ayurveda recommend that we take time to disengage from the exterior world so that we can hear our inner voice more clearly. Meditation is a form of fasting since, in the space of restful awareness, we disengage from the outside environment.

I recently lost my husband. We met 5 years ago and the love he showed me was amazing. He proposed after 7 months and in another year we were living together as husband and wife. Our journey had just begun when (2 years ago) we found out he had cancer. We fought the disease together, but in the end, the disease won. Now after 9 months I find myself struggling with the pain of losing him, missing his love, and finding it hard to see my future in a world without him. I am only 33 years old but I don't know what to do next. What would your advice be?

I first want say that I’m sorry for your loss. We invest our hearts, minds, and bodies in our relationships, and it’s natural to feel grief. The most important thing to do right now is to be with your feelings. This isn’t the time to put on a happy face. As well as seeking support from your friends and family, you may want to find a grief counselor who can help you during this difficult time. Having said that, I want you to know that in time your heartache will subside and you will be able to create a life rich in love and joy. I would encourage you to consider the things that bring you a sense of happiness, and without guilt, begin to explore whatever lightens your heart.

I just took the Ayurveda test, and my scores told me that I have a Kapha body and a Pitta mind. Which diet and lifestyle do I follow? The Kapha or the Pitta?

First, it is important to recognize that each of us has all three doshas interacting in our minds and bodies, though one or two of the doshas tends to predominate in our individual constitutions. It is not uncommon for those with a strong Pitta mind to eat more when they feel stressed or bored. In fact, a Pitta mind and a Kapha body often go together. In general, we recommend a dietary approach that balances the dosha that is predominant in one’s body. I therefore suggest that you follow a Kapha-pacifying diet using Kapha-balancing spices and teas. You can find more Kapha-balancing recommendations here.

Can a mild osteoarthritis be reversed with proper exercise, meditation, visualizations, and a change in diet? I’ve read about total remission of cancer and heart disease, but I wonder if it’s also possible for the musculoskeletal system. I’m a 31-year-old woman and have mild osteoarthritis of my sacroiliac joints and my lumbosacral joints. I just started meditating twice a day and stretching. I haven’t started doing yoga, but I plan to. I also drink ginger tea because I read it has anti-inflammatory properties Can you recommend anything else I can do?

The day that human beings decided to walk on two legs was the beginning of spinal problems. Living on a planet with gravity, we all experience some degree of joint pain at some point. Many studies of osteoarthritis show that x-ray findings don’t always correlate with the level of day-to-day pain an individual experiences. Despite evidence of osteoarthritis on X-rays, many people have limited or no symptoms.

I have multiple sclerosis, and it is an aggressive form according to the doctors. I am 43 and am not in a wheelchair, though my legs will not last longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. I do pranic healing and I need your help with some suggestions on how I can heal myself. I am too young and full of life to allow this dis-ease to continue in my body. Can you please help me with a routine or schedule? It would be greatly appreciated. Blessings be with you!

MS is a challenging condition due to its inherent unpredictability. Fortunately, a combination of conventional medications and holistic approaches is helping many people experience a sustainably higher quality of life than has ever previously been possible. I would not avoid the use of disease modifying medications as they can often effectively reduce the burden of inflammation in the nervous system.

I am a 51-year-old female. Last June I started having trouble sleeping. When it was bedtime, my heart would start racing or I would go right to sleep and wake up in the middle of the night with my heart racing. This went on for two months then my doctor prescribed Xanax, which I have been taking since July. I have decided I no longer want to be dependent on Xanax and I quit taking it a week ago – and once again my heart starts racing and I am sleepless again. I still have my regular periods, though they only last two days and I’m not experiencing hot flashes. I meditate every day and I can't seem to get to the bottom of this. Please help!

Usually when people experience a dramatic change in their sleep patterns, it is the result of some external event that has created additional anxiety in their lives. The first step is to consider what happened or changed in June that contributed to your sleeping difficulties. If you can identify a contributing event, consider what you can do to regain your emotional and physical equilibrium through attention to core lifestyle issues. Although the link may not be obvious, sound sleep can be supported through regular exercise, reduction of stimulant or sedating drugs, a healthy diet, and a regular yoga and meditation practice.