Could a Cognoscopy Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease Development?

April 22, 2019

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, multi-faceted condition affecting nearly 47 million people worldwide, with 5.8 million Americans currently living with dementia in 2019. Already one of the leading causes of death in the United Kingdom, the disease is expected to rise to the forefront in the U.S. as heart disease and cancer treatments continue to improve. According to the 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there has been an increase of 145% in Alzheimer’s related deaths between 2000 and 2017.

An estimated 75 million Americans are predisposed to developing Alzheimer’s disease, and this number is only expected to grow. New research suggests that the development of Alzheimer’s begins 20 or more years before any noticeable symptoms arise, allowing for a substantial window of time for intervention and prevention. With advancing technology and further research, there is potential to decrease the prevalence of Alzheimer’s to a much lower level by interceding at earlier stages than thought possible before.

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The Connection Between Food and Mood

April 12, 2019

The role of nutrition in the development of mood disorders has recently become a central focus of clinical research.  In recent years, public awareness of the intimate relationship between the brain and mental wellbeing has increasingly grown. The high metabolic and nutrient demands of the brain — which consumes 20% of a person’s daily caloric intake — suggest a connection between dietary choices and cognitive function, sparking a multitude of studies seeking to determine the specific connections of nutrients and mood disorders.

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Member of the Month: Veronica Chavis, PA

A4M valued member Veronica Chavis, PA shares insight from his professional experience in this Member of the Month feature. 

My father was a doctor and my mother was a nurse, from a young age I appreciated the difference they could make in the lives of others. I naturally followed in their footsteps. As a young PA student, I met Dr. Eaves, he offered me my first job as a PA in cardiology. I got a great understanding of the things I wanted to prevent in this space. We then developed a wellness center to support motivated patients in their journey to health through lifestyle change. In trying to find more tools to help these patients we sought out education on bio-identical hormone replacement training. God then placed us in an organization that seeks out the latest research on healing disease from the root cause. Dr. Eaves and I are now completing our board certification in functional medicine and helping patients in ways we never knew possible. I feel truly blessed to know that my education is cutting edge, and that my patients are getting the very best care available.

Q1: Before joining A4M, what was your medical background?

I have been a Physician Assistant, blessed to work alongside Dr. Gregory Eaves who is a cardiologist. In the hospital and cardiology office I learned a great deal about the diseases that I wanted to prevent. We were then able to develop a wellness center to support motivated patients in their journey to health through lifestyle change. On our journey to help our patients obtain the greatest care possible we found A4M and have been working on the fellowship ever since.

Q2: What anti-aging techniques have you incorporated into your practice? And how did you so?

We have targeted bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and have been amazed to see the correlation with cardiovascular health. Many of the patients we see have complaints of palpitations, memory loss, fatigue, and mood related disorders. It has been joyful to see the results that our patients have had using the education we earned from A4M.

Q3: What are the benefits of practicing anti-aging medicine? (as a professional, and for your practice?)

Practicing anti-aging medicine truly allows us to help people feel like themselves again. To find out why they have a problem and fix it from the bottom up, not just band-aid the problem with a prescription drug that causes other side effects. I can now reorganize a completely different approach until an answer is found, my tool belt is much bigger than it used to be. I have had more break through moments then ever with my patients, moments that are priceless to me. Moments in which I know their life will be forever changed, and God allowed me to be in on it. I have a new set of ears, I am able to really hear my patients tell me their problems. Needless to say, my job is more rewarding.

Q4: What are the changes you see in your patients?

The big thing is that I can see hope in their faces again. When I show them that their levels are off and explain the symptoms that correlate, they feel so good to find out why they feel so bad.

I have had a grandmother hug me and say, “thank you for giving my grandson back to me.” I have had many patients with panic attacks tell me that their panic attacks have subsided. I have had premenopausal females feel like they can function through their cycle again. Multiple postmenopausal females have told me, “I feel like myself again,” and their families agree. All wonderful moments using tools I never would have known about through my traditional medicine back ground.

Q5: Why would you recommend Anti-Aging Medicine to your peers?

This education gives you more tools, to work in directions you did not know possible. The training allows you to have a new and deeper understanding of the human body and its pathways. You also learn more about the tools you have already used, and how to use them more safely. This education will change you as a health care provider, that is a guarantee.

Q6: Where do you see the future of Anti-Aging medicine 20 years from now?

I feel that all medicine practices should move in the anti-aging direction. Disease will be healed in the years to come as our understanding broadens. I am honestly excited to be part of the group privy to the advances in health care as they are exposed. I feel that A4M does a great job at educating us on all late and breaking developments in health care to date.