Ayurvedic Alzheimer's Program

In collaboration with The Brain Research Institute, The Raj has developed programs to help prevent the onset of age-related cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory loss. Early detection provides greater opportunity to delay or reverse the existing symptoms of these debilitating disorders.

According to Ayurveda, as we advance in age, the makeup of the brain and body becomes increasingly agitated and dry. While currently available drugs are somewhat effective in reducing some aspects of cognitive decline, they do not appear to have an impact on the course of Alzheimer’s.

Based on the comprehensive natural approach of Ayurveda, The Raj offers an effective program that includes early detection (through the ancient technique of Pulse Assessment), luxurious rejuvenation and detoxification therapies, and diet and life-style recommendations.

This multi-faceted program helps restore balance in the physiology, nourishing the brain in an effort to counteract the natural “drying” influence of age, and support optimum levels of mental and physical functioning. 

With So Many Options, Why Choose The Raj?

Our goal is to help you progress toward balanced health during your stay and to give you the knowledge and tools you need to enjoy continued improvement when you return home.
  • Individualized Programs – Alzheimer’s

    Our Ayurveda experts will design a customized program for your age-related cognitive disorder, including specialized recommendations to continue at home.

  • Boutique Experience – Alzheimer’s

    For 25 years The Raj has lead the field in Ayurveda treatments. By accepting only 15 guests at a time, The Raj maintains the highest quality of individualized service and treatment.

AS FEATURED IN

“After two days of panchakarma plus daily yoga, I felt I'd entered the uncharted zones beyond relaxation—and could easily get used to the feeling.”

“One of the seven recommended Ayurveda Health Centers in the U.S.A.”

"The Raj is truly a place to regain a radiant state of health, spiritual well-being, and youthfulness."

"One of the four recommended silent/meditative retreats."

"The center is both an enlightening and a therapeutic experience for those who are seeking a better understanding of their body and metabolism."

"By my second day, I began to notice that tension and imbalance seemed to be lifted from my body. I felt renewed, refreshed, with a clearer peace of mind, and it was like nothing I've felt before."

"One of the top seven destination spas capable of customizing an intimate, personalized spa experience that meets individual health goals."

Frequently Asked Questions

According to Ayurveda, as we advance in age, the makeup of the brain and body gradually becomes more and more agitated and dry. Age-related cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and memory loss, is often associated with marked shrinkage of the brain. This “drying” effect is a powerful tendency that must be remedied by proper diet, digestion, routine, and rejuvenation programs, which are offered through The Raj Age-Related Cognitive Disorders Program.

Alzheimer’s starts early in life and progresses until noticeable declines are seen in cognitive functions, such as memory gap or memory loss. Early diagnosis provides greater opportunity to delay or reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Raj Ayurveda experts use the ancient technique of Pulse Assessment to identify specific imbalances that could predispose an individual to the onset of Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders. Many of these can be asymptomatic and may go unnoticed for many years. This individual diagnosis is a powerful tool for designing the specific aspects of the treatment program and recommendations.

The Raj Ayurveda Health Spa has developed programs to help prevent the onset of age-related cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory loss, in collaboration with Alarik Arenander, PhD, and Director of the Brain Research Institute.

Changes in diet and lifestyle are currently the only proven means of affecting the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s. The Raj offers a comprehensive system of effective interventions beginning with early detection and a preventive treatment program.  The Raj’s Ayurveda Treatment Program Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease is designed to enliven the body’s inner intelligence, restore balance to the fundamental modes of physiological and psychological functioning, and to counter the “drying” effect that age has on the brain.

The Anti-Aging Program includes an Ayurvedic evaluation utilizing the ancient technique of Pulse Assessment, 2 hours of Maharishi Rejuvenation Treatments per day, and health education courses.

At the heart of our programs are the traditional Ayurvedic rejuvenation and purification therapies, known as Panchakarma. Highly trained Ayurvedic technicians administer these treatments, which include massages with herbalized oil. The herbalized oil penetrates the blood/brain barrier and provides a beneficial influence to the brain and the entire physiology.

The Raj Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s disease program is individually designed for each guest and includes time-tested massage therapies that help counteract the age-related “drying” influence by lubricating the brain and physiology. 

Our Ayurveda experts also offer individualized “at-home” recommendations aimed at restoring balance in the physiology so that the entire physiology is more effectively nourished. These recommendations also help counteract the natural “drying” influence of aging, and help reestablish optimum levels of mental and physical functioning.

The most important at-home tips for nourishing your brain and promoting health and longevity involve proper diet and exercise. These provide maximum benefit when tailored specifically to your mind/body constitution.

BEGIN NOW

Start taking care of yourself today and everyday.

MENTAL

Stay active mentally with such activities as reading, playing cards, solving crossword puzzles, and writing.

PHYSICAL

Stay active physically with plenty of exercise, such as walking, sports and recreation, and swimming.

FOOD

  • Eat a wide variety of green vegetables and include milk products in your diet. (If you are vegetarian, only milk contains significant levels of vitamin B12, which is absolutely essential for proper nervous system functioning.)
  • Check your vitamin B levels (especially vitamin B12) if you are feeling mentally weak and experiencing memory loss.
  • Have plenty of anti-oxidants in your diet. Free radicals and oxidative stress are major factors in premature aging of the system. Include plenty of fresh, organic fruits and green vegetables in your diet.
  • Include high quality oils sautéed with spices in your diet. Majja is the Ayurveda name for nervous system tissue. Majja tissue is most nourished by oils especially ghee. This is logical as the brain is over 50% fat in composition. Maharishi Ayurveda recommends sautéing spices into your cooking oils to make them the most active in the body and help them nourish the nervous system tissue. Black pepper has the most profound effect among the spices in helping oils get past the blood brain barrier and nourish the brain. Organic ghee and olive oil are best for cooking.

The primary risk factor for acquiring Alzheimer’s disease is age. Alzheimer’s starts early in life and progresses to a point where we can detect noticeable decline in cognitive functions, such as memory gaps or loss. Age-related disorders are influenced from an early age by our lifestyle as well as genetic makeup.

The Crisis of Alzheimer’s

An estimated 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s dementia. By mid-century, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s dementia in the United States is projected to grow to 13.8 million, according to the Alzheimer’s Association of America

Research in three areas offers hope

1. Brain Mechanisms

The Glial cell’s role in the symptomatic period of Alzheimer’s disease and in the very early, preclinical stages is getting more recognition. Glial dysfunction and myelin breakdown occur as early as midlife and progress over the next 30 to 40 years. The age risk factor for Alzheimer’s may be early, progressive, and related to glial dysfunction. Therefore, treatments and lifestyle changes targeted to support glial function may significantly delay the onset and severity of Alzheimer’s.

2. Early Diagnosis

Early diagnosis and treatment provides greater opportunity to delay, if not reverse, symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. PET or MRI may detect and track early preclinical changes as early as 30 years of age. PET research offers dramatic insights into changes in brain metabolism, blood flow, and receptor functions.

3. Available Treatments

Currently available drugs are somewhat effective in reducing some aspects of cognitive decline, but they do not greatly influence the course of the disease. A natural, holistic, and medicinal approach may offer the best chance to slow or reverse the cognitive and pathologic changes of Alzheimer’s. This suggests the possibility of halting these changes and perhaps restoring normal brain function in affected patients. The oldest, most systematic health care system in the world is Ayurveda. This ancient system of health and longevity offers hope in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Consciousness-based methods, including meditation, help increase and restore balance in brain physiology. The most widely used and researched meditation technique is Transcendental Meditation ®, which has been shown to significantly increase brain coherence and integration, leading to greatly improved physiological and psychological health.

Over 40 years of scientific research indicates that the Transcendental Meditation technique enlivens the body’s own inner intelligence. This promotes healthy mind/body functioning, including reductions in chronic diseases, (some of which are risk factors for memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease).

In addition, the practice of Transcendental Meditation allows individuals to become more flexible in their thinking and behavior, and thus more likely to explore, accept, and use alternative lifestyle choices that promote health. Therefore, Ayurveda offers a powerful contribution to enhancing brain integration, specifically the health of glial cells and myelin insulation, and can help us delay, if not prevent, the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Alarik Arenander is a neuroscientist, educator, international lecturer, and leading researcher into the neuroscience of brain development and human potential. His work has helped establish the field of neuroscience as science’s leading area for exploring human potentiality and mind/body health. He has personally contributed to the scientific exploration of brain development and human potential for the last 35 years conducting research at many top research institutions in the U.S. and Europe.

Dr. Arenander has conducted pioneering research at the University of California, Los Angeles; Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA; Maharishi European Research University, Switzerland; University of Wisconsin, Madison; and Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA.

Since 1999, Dr. Arenander has been the Director of Iowa’s Brain Research Institute in Fairfield, Iowa. His research focuses primarily on brain development, including both basic and applied research in the relationship of brain and consciousness and the role of the environment and experience on the development of human potential and well-being.

Our Holistic Health Programs

Take control of your health and transform your life at the nation’s leading Ayurvedic health center
Testimonials

An authentic Panchakarma experience, great food, exceptional staff, and comfortable rooms that are close to the treatment area. A really wonderful experience all around.

C. O.

The treatments at The Raj are extraordinary, luxurious and relaxing. But what keeps me returning to The Raj so regularly is not the treatments themselves, but the effects. This Ayurvedic therapy is restorative to the point of being uplifting—and not just for the body, but perhaps even more importantly, for the mind.

P.L.

The treatment team was beyond compare. I’ve never felt so loved, supported, protected or cared for. Really special and remarkable.

M. H.

Complete health and mind rejuvenation: The Raj heals your body naturally, in a supportive and caring atmosphere.

Lisa W.

Individualized, All-Inclusive Programs

Guests arrive at The Raj with their own personal set of health and wellness goals. Our commitment is to help you understand your unique individual nature, to identify areas of imbalance, and to create a customized treatment program to address your needs. Our all-inclusive packages include everything you need to experience optimal results, and to continue your progress when you return home.

 

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Call for more info about our programs, rates, location, and anything else you might be wondering.

1 (800) 864-8714