Wednesday, November 11, 2015

5 Things President Obama Has Done to Destroy America- LARRY TOMCZAK CHARISMA NEWS

Whether our next president can help dismantle some of what Barack Obama has done remains to be seen.

Whether our next president can help dismantle some of what Barack Obama has done remains to be seen. (Reuters)



5 Things President Obama Has Done to Destroy America


"I'm the author of all your pain."
In Spectre, the 25th James Bond film currently in theaters, Oscar-winning actor and villain Christoph Waltz snidely tells Agent 007 these words. While a bit of an overstatement, the point is well taken.
As the years unfold, I am persuaded that countless millions will identify words like these with the Obama presidency. Whether our next president can help dismantle some of what Barack Obama has done remains to be seen.
Barring a spiritual awakening in America and the resulting returning to our conservative values led by a uniquely gifted commander-in-chief, the repercussions of Barack Obama's "transformation of America" will be catastrophic.
It's why seven years ago Rush Limbaugh said his desire for the Obama presidency was simple: "I hope he fails."
Scripture tells us, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh" (Prov. 29:2, ASV). Plainly stated, people have cause to either rejoice or mourn dependent on whether their governing authorities are God-fearing or unrighteous.
When competent and godly leaders rule, they set a tone for the society as they conduct affairs according to God's standards. The result will not be utopia but rather a general happiness, prosperity and stability in the land. President Obama does not fit this category and that is a primary reason why there is so much mourning throughout our land.
I step back knowing I prayed for this man every single day of his terms in office yet must respectfully but forthrightly assess his "fruit" as disastrous. What he has done has been unbelievably detrimental to the Judeo-Christian principles upon which our nation was founded. Are you aware of how far we've fallen under his leadership and lack thereof?
Five Major Areas of Decline
1. The Military
Besides what has been called the "gayification" of our Armed Forces, we've seen the undermining of religious expression among our military chaplains and officers. Lieutenant General (retired) William Boykin put it best, "If chaplains and other personnel are censored from offering the full solace of the gospel, there is no religious freedom in the military."
There have also been massive reductions in military personnel, leaving us dangerously vulnerable in the event of a crisis, plus military frustration at the highest level in decades. "There's a level of dissatisfaction among the uniformed military that I've never seen in my time here" said John McCain, Senate Armed Services Chairman.
For this I mourn.
2. Marriage and Family
President Obama's aggressive advocacy of the LGBTQ agenda has brought devastation to the traditional family. He endorsed gay marriage; violated young girls by forcing school districts to allow boys who identify as girls to have full access to the girl's locker room and showers; undermined the Defense of Marriage Act; celebrated the LGBTQ lifestyle by affirming people "coming out" and appointing unprecedented numbers of LGBTQ proponents to government positions; and, now endorses efforts to ban "conversion therapy" counseling for youth struggling with gay and transgender confusion.
President Obama has worked aggressively to transform marriage, sexuality and our children into considering participation in the LGBTQ lifestyle as a normal, healthy sign of liberation!
His official White House website touts efforts to stop counseling young people struggling with same-sex attraction and transgenderism as "protecting America's youth."
For this I mourn.
3. Radical Islam and Terrorism
President Obama's timid approach to dealing with the menace of ISIS and other radical, Islamic jihadists is unbelievably reckless. Believing that we can somehow diminish their strength and effectively defeat these barbarians by ignoring them or downplaying their threat, strains credulity. Their growing threat coupled with the Iranian "nuclear deal" is bringing us to an apocalypse.
The latest terror warning in Sinai with 224 passengers killed in the "downing" of a Russian plane caused the Wall Street Journal to bluntly state in a lead editorial, "The greatest folly of the administration's Mideast policy has been to imagine that an arms–length approach to the region's troubles would keep its problems away from us. But as with the refugee crisis in Europe, or ISIS inspired jihadist attacks in the US, the tragedy in Sinai is another reminder that trying to downplay the threat of terrorism only brings its risks closer to home."
For this I also mourn.

4. The Economy and National Debt
Dr. Laurence Kotlikoff, Professor of Economics at Boston University tried to wake up our leaders in testimony before the U.S. Senate. He stated emphatically that "Americas fiscal insolvency and it's generational consequences means our country is broke. It's not broke in 75 years or 50 years or 25 years or 10 years. It's broke today. Indeed, it may well be in worse shape (currently almost $19 trillion in debt) than any developed country, including Greece."
Yet our president keeps spending, raising the debt limit, promising entitlements, all the while adding almost as much debt as all previous American presidents combined. And don't forget he conveys how our economy is booming while conveniently ignoring over 90 million people not in the workforce; 50 million on food stamps; Obamacare premiums skyrocketing; and, the inevitable day of economic reckoning drawing near.
"Time is running out. Get ready for a roller coaster ride through hell!" warns economic forecaster Larry Edelson.
Forbes magazine helps us comprehend this staggering amount, which is leading us to the inevitable economic crash: "In 2015, Taylor Swift did 55 concerts and earned $80 million. She would have to perform 365 concerts a year for three years to simply pay for ONE DAY OF INTEREST accrued on our debt." Get the message?
For this I likewise mourn.
5. Illegal Immigration and Prisoner Release
President Obama refuses to enforce laws concerning the massive influx of illegal immigrants into our country, knowing these are grateful, potential Democratic voters! The majority is Hispanic but there are Muslims as well. Europe is being overrun by the immigrant crisis and what is happening there will be our lot in 10 years unless new leadership acts swiftly, legally and compassionately.
Have you noticed some signs of the times? Hamtramck Michigan City Council now has a Muslim majority. Washington, D.C. joins other locales in giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
Our president also believes in leniency and amnesty for drug felons. Almost 50 percent of the inmates in federal penitentiaries serving time for drug offenses are now having their sentences automatically reduced.
"These are young people who made mistakes that aren't that different than the mistakes I made and the mistakes that a lot of you guys made," the president told journalists recently at a federal prison in Oklahoma.
The reality is 75 percent of these individuals are violent criminals. Their "mistakes" consist not merely of smoking a casual joint but distribution of hard drugs, often involving gangs and weaponry. Their felony convictions resulted in many of the 44,000 who die from drug overdoses each year. Consider also the scores of young people getting addicted, families being destroyed and children now executed in drug gang wars like the nine-year-old boy a week ago.  
Are these harmless, victimless crimes and simply minor "mistakes?" Or is this an example of misguided "mercy" that likewise brings in new Democratic voters? Read "Obama's Tragic Let 'em Out Fantasy" in the Wall Street Journal on 10/25/15 to learn more.
Yes, for this I also mourn.
Here's the Deal: In 2009, President Obama declared these words regarding his Obamacare victory, "Elections have consequences. And at the end of the day, I won!"
It would do us well to remember that in the 2012 presidential election, Obama beat Romney by 5 million votes. Over 17 million evangelical Christians stayed home and did not vote. Is voting important?
For the past seven years we learned the hard way that President Obama was serious about his pledge to "fundamentally transform America." I believe without question that his lack of character and questionable commitment to his professed Christian faith have wreaked havoc on the moral landscape of the United States of America. May we redouble our efforts in prayer, fasting and civic engagement to see competent, godly leaders raised up so mourning may be silenced and some rejoicing begins afresh in our land! 

Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author of eight books with 43 years of trusted ministry experience. He is a cultural commentator whose weekly articles appear on sites reaching 26 million monthly. He is a public policy advisor with Liberty Counsel. Connect and view short video commentaries at larrytomczak.com.
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Ted Koppel Is Buying Freeze-Dried Food For The Day When A Cyberattack Takes Out The Power Grid - Michael Snyder The Economic Collapse

Central Park - Public Domain
Posted: 10 Nov 2015 

Most Americans have absolutely no idea how incredibly vulnerable our electrical grid is, but Ted Koppel does.  For many years, Koppel was the level-headed host of Nightline on ABC, but now he is issuing a very chilling warning to America.  For more than a year, he investigated potential threats to our power grid, and he has detailed what he discovered in a new book entitled “Lights Out“. 

He is convinced that a massive cyberattack could take down our entire electrical grid for an extended period of time, and he was horrified to learn that the Department of Homeland Security really doesn’t have a plan for how to deal with this kind of a scenario.

What Koppel found out during the course of his investigation freaked him out so much that he actually decided to buy freeze-dried food for himself, his children, and even his grandchildren.  The following comes from CBS News
In “Lights Out,” Koppel paints a grim picture of a paralyzing power outage in the form of an all-out cyberattack on the nation’s electrical grid.
“It’s frightening,” Koppel said. “I mean, it is frightening enough that my wife and I decided we were going to buy enough freeze-dried food for all of our kids and their kids.”
Koppel believes that Russia, China and Iran already have the ability to conduct such attacks.  And actually, the truth is that many other nations such as North Korea have been rapidly developing the capability to conduct such operations as well.

It is only a matter of time until we see absolutely massive cyberattacks unleashed against national power grids, and the United States is the most likely target.  Unfortunately for us, our government has done very little to prepare for this eventuality.  Here is more from CBS News
Koppel says the one agency that would be ready to counter a cyberattack such as this is the Department of Homeland Security. But are they ready?
“No,” he said. “I’ve talked to every former Secretary of Homeland Security, and they all acknowledge there is no plan.”
And the current Secretary, Jeh Johnson, didn’t offer much guidance to Koppel, either: “I kept asking ‘What’s the plan?’ Why wait until disaster strikes? Why not tell ’em? Do you have a plan?’ And he just sort of pointed up at a shelf filled with white binders and he said, ‘Look, I’m sure there’s something up there somewhere.'”
But we have been warned.  In fact, just recently there was a major congressional hearing about this.  At that hearing, one member of Congress explained that there is a significant attack on our power grid once every four days
Such attacks hit the nation’s electric grid once every four days, according to estimates, Rep. Randy Weber, a Texas Republican, said at the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology hearing. The session was focused on better protecting the nation’s power grid and identifying its vulnerability to cyberattacks.
In over 300 cases of significant cyber and physical attacks since 2011, suspects have never been identified,” Weber said.
And of course it isn’t just a cyberattack that we need to be concerned about.  As I wrote about just over a month ago, a giant electromagnetic pulse either from the sun or from a weapon could fry our grid at any time as well.
Perhaps this is not something that you are making preparations for personally, but the White House sure is.  According to the Houston Chronicle, the White House just released a plan that details how it would respond to an EMP event…
The White House Thursday released a contingency plan for about the most terrifying scenario possible: a massive electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that wipes out the power grid.
Just imagine no more cell phones, Internet, credit cards, gas pumps, running water, electric lights or industry in a single fateful moment.
It could come from a solar flare that sends ultra-high-energy particles cascading toward the earth, frying every electrical transformer they encounter. So the White House, in conjunction with 24 other federal agencies, published a “National Space Weather Strategy” and accompany action plan, outlining a response if such a disaster were to occur.
I don’t know if any of us can really imagine how crazy things would get if the lights went out and never came back on.  We have all become so incredibly dependent on computers, cell phones, televisions, ATMs, heating and cooling systems, credit card readers, gas pumps, cash registers, refrigerators, hospital equipment etc.  What would life be like if suddenly we couldn’t use any of those things anymore?
At some point there will be a massive power grid failure.  It is just a matter of time.  And as space weather consultant John Kappenman recently told Gizmodo, when it happens power might not be restored for months or even years…
“If you take electricity away, either immediately or within a short period of time, you’ll suffer the failure of all critical infrastructure,” Kappenman said. This includes things like water, sewage treatment, gas stations, banks and hospitals. “One of the concerns that we have is that in the worst case scenarios, we could be looking at weeks, months, maybe even years before restoration of the grid.”
That’s why preppers are taking a longer view. “I have a five year supply of food for employees and family,” a source who requested anonymity told Gizmodo. This individual says he’s rigged up a 12.5 kW solar array in the “remote wilderness,” complete with “power outlets and water spigots about every 50 feet” to support a small fleet of RV trailers for the long haul. Other preppers agree that a multi-year food and water supply is crucial. Some are also stockpiling large quantities of medications (“five year supplies of meds can be obtained from Asia without prescriptions,” one source told Gizmodo).
For much more on what we could potentially be facing, I encourage you to check out the following articles…

-“Electromagnetic Pulse: One Day We Will Wake Up In An America Without Electricity And Society Will Totally Break Down

-“The EMP Threat: All It Would Take Is A Couple Of Explosions To Send America Back To The 1800s

-“What Are You Going To Do When A Massive EMP Blast Fries The U.S. Electrical Grid?

So how can we get prepared?  The YouTube video that I have posted below was produced by Infowars, and it contains advice from renowned survivalist experts including James Wesley Rawles.  I think that you will find it to be very helpful…

We Honor Our USA Vets Today - Those Here & Those Gone


On this 11th day of November
we honor our men and women
who have faithfully served the USA
in our Armed Forces.

May the 
Lord of Hosts,
the Lord Jesus Christ,
and His warring angels
watch over you with
mighty arms 
of protection.

We love you 
and thank you
VERY MUCH!

Steve & Laurie Martin
Love For His People, Inc.
Charlotte, NC







 Our nephew - Christopher Baker (2014 photo)
Soon to be in North Carolina!
Our nephew - Jacob Smith
Charleston, SC




May His Angels Watch Over You!



Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Prophecy: God Is Calling History Makers to the Prayer Closet - JENNIFER LECLAIRE CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Don't be afraid

Who will answer this call in their generation? (Flickr)

Prophecy: God Is Calling History Makers to the Prayer Closet






Two weeks ago I lay face down at Awakening House of Prayer, and the Holy Spirit showed me things to come—and it's not all good. That didn't surprise me, of course, but some of the things I saw shook me to the core.
If you've read my columns for any length of time, you know that I'm sober-minded but also full of hope. You know that I once saw a tsunami of perversion heading for America. But you also know that the Lord told me He will bring a Third Great Awakening to this nation.
As I stretched out on the carpet in the prayer room, I found myself grieving. The fear of the Lord struck my heart. I saw the persecution that is coming to America. I mourned over the blood of abortion that is on our hands. I pondered the eternal value of how I spend my time. I considered the failure of the church to be salt and light. And I felt the pain of God's heart.
Taking an Eternal Perspective
God wants to break out, break in and pour out His Spirit over America. But here's the issue: We're waiting on God to move, and He wants to move us. We're praying for God to send revival, but He wants to revive us. We're asking for an outpouring of glory, but we need an outpouring of repentance first.
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I didn't sleep much that night as I pondered how so much of what I do makes no impact on anyone. I woke up early and prayed in the Spirit for over an hour trying to come to grips with the reality of where America is heading if we don't repent. We like to pray 2 Chronicles 7:14, but so many of us fail to live 2 Chronicles 7:14.
I watched David Wilkerson's video montage on anguish. I listened to Leonard Ravenhill's classics on revival. The Holy Spirit prayed through me with groans too deep for words (Rom. 8:26). I considered what love really is. After all, we can pray in the tongues of men and angels, we can prophesy with the best of them, we can feed the poor, we can have mountain-moving faith, we can even die for the sake of the gospel, but without love it's useless (see 1 Cor. 13:1-3).
It's true that "love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:4-6).
Love also warns, but it does not seek to breed fear for profit's sake. Love makes intercession. Love stands in the gap and on the wall. Love has violent faith that presses into what God is saying and doing in this hour despite what it looks like. Love hears His voice and sounds the alarm. Love carries the burden of His heart and prays until something happens.
Overcoming the Reality of Now
That morning, while I was in my room praying, I heard the Lord say this:
"If My people who are called by My name would think more about life in 1,000 years than life tomorrow, they would make a greater impact in their generation. But the cares of this world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life and other demonic distractions have consumed many with the reality of now instead of the reality—of eternity.
"Millions die and go to hell every day because My people who are called by My name are not about My business. Rights and freedoms are lost, people murdered, lives destroyed, babies aborted because My people who are called by my name are not about My business.
"I am looking for those in this hour who will look up instead of looking back; who will cry out; who will press in; who will determine in their hearts to see My kingdom come and My will done on the earth—in your cities and families—as it is in heaven.
"I want to pour out My Spirit. I want to save souls. I want to heal sick bodies. I want to restore broken families. I am depending on you to rise up and fight on your knees like there's no tomorrow because for many there isn't.
"Who shall I send to the closet of prayer to shape history? Who will go for Me? I will show myself strong in your life. I will take care of your needs. I will bless you and keep you. I will show you things to come if you will partner with Me in the place of prayer. I will do it, and I will be glorified."
Who will answer this call in their generation?

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NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!
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Obama, Netanyahu Agree to Disagree on Iran - Jennifer Wishon CBN NEWS


Obama, Netanyahu Agree to Disagree 
on Iran

WASHINGTON -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the U.S. this week. He's fresh off a meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House where the two leaders worked to mend some badly damaged fences. 
        
With a handshake, they showed they were putting their solidarity on display for Israel's enemies.
      
The two men have always held vastly different world views. But their relationship has been particularly sour since the president feverishly pushed for a nuclear deal with Iran that the prime minister -- and others across the political spectrum in Israel -- adamantly opposed.
"It is no secret that the prime minister and I have had strong disagreement on this narrow issue, but we don't have a disagreement on making sure Iran doesn't get a nuclear weapon," President Obama said.
"And we don't have a disagreement about us blunting destabilizing activities that Iran may be taking," he continued. "And so we are looking to make sure that we find common ground there."  
     
The president tried to made it clear he stands with Israel, but the Israeli people may not buy it.
Some Israelis refer to the president by his middle name, "Hussein," a reference to his Muslim heritage. Polling earlier this year showed just 9 percent of Israelis described this White House as pro-Israel.
     
The president condemned recent Palestinian violence against innocent Israeli citizens.
     
And while peace talks are on ice, Netanyahu says he remains committed to a peaceful two- state solution with the Palestinians.
"I don't think anyone should doubt Israel's determination to defend itself against terror and destruction, but neither should anyone doubt Israel's willingness to make peace with any of its neighbors that genuinely want to achieve peace with us," Netanyahu said.
     
International analysts say it's important for Israel's enemies to see the U.S. and Israel stand together.
"There is a symbolic component that those enemies need to understand that there isn't any daylight between the United States and Israel as far as our alliance and our friendship and that message has to be put out there very strongly," Steve Bucci of The Heritage Foundation said.
    
While in Washington, Netanyahu is speaking both to conservative and progressive groups to make the case that the security of Israel isn't a partisan issue.
"Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East," Bucci said. "It's the most Western looking country for a lot of miles in that area and we really need that relationship almost as much as Israel does."

Palestinian Children Carry Out Terrorist Stabbing - ISRAEL TODAY

Palestinian Children Carry Out Terrorist Stabbing

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 |  Israel Today Staff
Two young Palestinian boys aged just 12 and 13 stabbed and seriously wounded a Jewish security guard at the light rail station in Jerusalem’s northern Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood on Tuesday.
One of the boys was shot and seriously wounded by his victim. The other was captured by security forces.
It was the second stabbing attack in Jerusalem on Tuesday morning. In the other incident, an Arab man attempted to stab police officers near the Old City’s Damascus Gate only to be shot and neutralized before he could draw blood.
The Pisgat Ze’ev attack was reminiscent of a similar stabbing last month in that same neighborhood, where two Palestinian cousins aged 13 and 15 stabbed and seriously wounded two Israelis, including a 13-year-old boy.
The 15-year-old attacker was shot and killed as he lunged as police officers responding to the scene. His younger cousin was taken into custody. On Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty to the crime that was recorded by security and traffic cameras in the area.
Israelis have long decried what amounts to child abuse in a Palestinian society that teaches even its youngest children to hate the Jews and engage in violence against them. As former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir once famously stated: “We will have peace as soon as the Arabs love their children more than they hate us.”
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Bible Teacher Kay Arthur Offers Answer to America's Woes - LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CHARISMA NEWS

Kay Arthur speaks at the Liberty University Convocation.
Kay Arthur speaks at the Liberty University Convocation. (Photo courtesy of Chad Finnesand.)


Bible Teacher Kay Arthur Offers Answer to America's Woes


Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

Renowned Bible teacher and Co-Founder of Precept Ministries International Kay Arthur used her time at Liberty University Convocation on Monday to challenge students to apply Scripture as they seek to impact the world around them.
Precept Ministries works in 185 countries and 70 languages, discipling Christians through Bible study, radio programs and student ministries. Arthur has reached more than 75 million people worldwide through the daily television, radio and online programs she hosts. She is the author of more than 100 books and spoke at Convocation in 2013, where she received a rousing ovation in response to her message.
Before Arthur spoke, worship artist Bethany Barr Phillips led students in singing popular Christian songs, including "You Make Me Brave" and "No Longer Slaves." Phillips also briefly shared her testimony of battling cancer and finding strength in her faith in God through that struggle.
Arthur then encouraged students to live outside the mold of societal expectations. She talked about her own life, which could easily have been defined by a failed marriage, moral compromise or tragedy, but instead was given purpose through Christ's forgiveness.
She said that knowing God's Word and applying it are the key to a truly successful life.
"This book is more important than any education at any time in any place," Arthur said, referring to the Bible. "These are the words of life."
Arthur pointed out that society is becoming more secularized and rejecting God. According to Arthur, the problem stems from Christians who are not prioritizing their spiritual lives. The answer to this, she said, is Scripture, which all believers should be studying regularly.
"If you're going to be used in this nation and for this time in this world, then the Word of God has to be priority in your life," she said. "I believe that this is your hour. ... I believe the way that you respond to (the) message that God has for you will determine the future of America."
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

First in 67 Years: Egypt Supports Israeli UN Bid - CBNNews.com

First in 67 Years: Egypt Supports Israeli UN Bid


JERUSALEM, Israel -- Egypt made history this week, supporting Israel's bid for membership in the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Affairs at the United Nations.
It was the first time Egypt voted in support of Israel since it backed the 1948 U.N. vote establishing the Jewish nation.

The vote passed by a wide margin, with 117 member states in favor; 21 abstentions, among them Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Qatar, and Kuwait; and Namibia the only country opposing the Israeli bid.

"The vote today proves there are some countries who find it more important to bash Israel than to contribute to the international community, like Qatar who abstained on the vote even though it was a vote on its own acceptance to the committee," the Israeli Mission to the United Nations said in a statement.

In September, Egyptian President Fattah Abdel el-Sisi called on more Arab countries to make peace with Israel, saying the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel has held for nearly four decades despite doubters.

These 5 Things Combat Age-Related Memory Loss - CHARLOTTE LIBOV/NEWSMAX HEALTH

These five things can help prevent memory loss and help you be happier in your golden years.

These five things can help prevent memory loss and help you be happier in your golden years. (Flickr )

These 5 Things Combat Age-Related Memory Loss



The number of people who have Alzheimer's disease, along with other brain-robbing neurodegenerative diseases, is at an all-time high and these numbers are growing, a top doctor says.
"Alzheimer's disease is a runaway train barreling down on all of us. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease may nearly triple, from five million to as many as 16 million," Dr. Kevin Passero, N.D., one of the nation's leading naturopathic physicians, tells Newsmax Health.
"There's no cure for Alzheimer's disease, and there's not likely to be one anytime soon. Once someone is stricken with this insidious disease, there's almost no way of stopping the downward spiral that leads to disability and, eventually death," says Passero, co-author of the new book, Save Your Brain from Alzheimer's and Dementia.
But there is hope because such diseases—Alzheimer's included—are not inevitable, he says. A host of lifestyle and nutritional changes you can make can help stack the odds in your favor so you can enjoy a healthy, active brain throughout your whole life, he notes.
Here are five ways to keep your brain sharp even as you age:
1. Cut out sugar. Many studies show that eating too much sugar and other carbohydrates strongly contributes to the development of insulin resistance, a condition that greatly accelerates brain aging and the onset of dementia, says Passero. "Eating a diet low in refined sugar and carbohydrates and high in fiber helps stabilize blood sugar and minimizes surges of insulin [and] could be one of the most powerful ways to keep your brain healthy," he says.
2. Lower blood pressure. Lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease also helps keep your cognitive abilities sharp, it's been found. "Endothelial dysfunction is the critical link between cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline," says Passero. Endothelial dysfunction is a condition in which the inner lining of the blood vessels does not function normally, and is often the result of damage from high blood pressure. This is why controlling blood pressure plays an important role in long-term brain health, he says.
3. Choose healthy fats. "Millions of people adhere to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet in the name of 'heart health,' but the problem with these diets is they can lead to shortages of essential nutrients that the brain needs to manufacture memory-related neurotransmitters and functional membrane lipids," says Passero. Instead of cutting fat entirely out of your diet, chose healthy forms—including pasture-raised meat and eggs, and wild-caught fish. You can also use coconut or olive oil for cooking, and munch on healthy snacks like nuts and seeds.
4. Banish heavy metals. Toxic heavy metals are everywhere, including water, the food supply, and many household and personal care products. "While some heavy metals — including iron, manganese, copper, zinc, and chromium — are required by the body in small quantities, they act as toxins in larger amounts," says Passero. Of all these potential toxins, aluminum is the one most associated with Alzheimer's disease, so Passero advises not using aluminum foil and avoiding foods wrapped in it. Avoid dietary sources of aluminum by reading labels carefully, and avoiding ingredients with the word "aluminum" anywhere in them.
5. Reduce stress. "We place a lot of emphasis on diet, nutrition, and environmental factors when it comes to Alzheimer's prevention, but there's one major risk factor that is also the most overlooked; stress," says Passero. "Recent research shows that stress upsets the hormonal balance in a manner that can actually accentuate the aging process." He suggests engaging in such stress relievers as exercise, which can also boost brain health, as well as meditation, which studies have shown is a powerful stress reliever and can also boost mental focus.

For the original article, visit newsmaxhealth.com.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!
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