This groundbreaking work rests on the belief that Alzheimer's is one of several types of dementia and in most cases is avoidable. Rather than being the inevitable result of aging, Mendelson asserts dementia is primarily the result of bad diet, stress, lack of mental and physical exercise, and other lifestyle choices. He offers hope to both patients and their caregivers by recommending vitamins and more that may mitigate or delay the effects of dementia, as well as suggesting lifestyle changes that might help a person avoid dementia altogether.