Myth: Memory loss is a natural part of aging.

Fact: As you age, it’s normal to have occasional memory problems, such as forgetting the name of a person you’ve recently met, or where you placed your car keys. However, Alzheimer’s is more than occasional memory loss. It’s a disease that causes brain cells to malfunction and ultimately die. When this happens, you may forget the name of a longtime friend or what roads to take to return to the home you’ve lived in for decades.

Myth: Visiting someone with dementia isn’t worth it because they’ll soon forget you were there.

Fact: While Alzheimer’s may impact short-term memory for some, others may have a harder time with word-finding and decision-making skills, however they remember that you visited with them. Research says that the feelings created by the visit often last longer than the specific memory of the visit for both the patient and the visitor.

Myth: Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

Fact: In the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a possible suspect in Alzheimer’s research. This suspicion led to concern about exposure to aluminum through everyday sources such as pots and pans, beverage cans, antacids and antiperspirants. To date, studies have yet to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s. Experts today focus on other areas of research, and few believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat.

Myth: Artificial sweeteners cause memory loss.

Fact: The artificial sweetener aspartame, marketed under such brand names as Nutrasweet® and Equal®, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in all foods and beverages in 1996. Since approval, concerns about aspartame’s health effects have been raised. As of May 2006, the FDA had not been presented with any scientific evidence that would lead to change its conclusions on the safety of aspartame for most people.

Myth: Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Fact: A theory linking flu shots to a greatly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease has been proposed by a U.S. doctor in the early 2000s. However, several mainstream studies link flu shots and other vaccinations to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and overall better health.

Myth: Supplements and alternative therapies can treat and/or cure Alzheimer’s disease.

Fact: There are a number of dietary supplements that claim to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. However, recent studies have shown very little evidence to support such claims. Please talk with a medical doctor prior to beginning any supplemental regiment, as some dietary products can cause serious drug interactions.