I recently watched a webcast on The Prevention of Alzheimers Disease, a subject near and dear to my heart. There are different degrees of dementia, different causes, and obviously, different names. Unfortunately, when you are watching a loved one suffer with any of these, all the titles and classifications fade.
The webcast was through the Science of Prevention and involved many prominent doctors who have, and are researching in this field. The narrator, Dr. David Permutter, is also an author who has written numerous books about the brain.
Alzheimers is a very specific disease involving beta-amyloid proteins, accumulating as sticky plaques in the brain. If there is any function to these, it remains unclear. There is currently no cure for alzheimers so it is even more important to do what we can to prevent it.
Despite great scientific efforts to find treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), only 5 medications are marketed, with limited beneficial effects on symptoms, on a limited proportion of patients, without modification of disease course. The prevalence of AD doubles every 5 years reaching an alarming rate of 50% in those aged 85 years and older. In the context of the demographic trends of modern society, where the elderly are the fastest growing segment of the population, identification of new therapeutic targets that may prevent, delay, or cure AD is critically needed. (italics added). (Excerpt from Reversing Alzheimers by Dr. Perlmutter)
There was so much information that it was difficult to keep up but I tried to get the main points.
A good place to start seems to be risk factors. There is an acronym used, NEURO.
Nutrition
Exercise
Unwind, relax and stress management
Restorative sleep
Optimum cognitive activity
All at once, as early as possible!
These risk factors include biological age, diet, hormones and medications. Keeping in mind, prevention is key, some of their recommendations to avoid cognitive decline include:
#1 Diet – low carb, lots of healthy fats, mild ketosis and intermittent fasting
#2 Exercise – strength and aerobic
#3 Sleep – deep, and restorative; have a consistent wake up time, no caffeine after 2 pm, avoid exercise up at least 4 hours before bedtime, restrict blue light exposure from electronics, cooler temperature, shoot for 7-9 hours of sleep
#4 Brain training – cognitive exercise (word games/ math exercises, just use it!
#5 Hormone balancing.
Another factor that has a relationship with brain health hidden brain toxins. Environmental toxins are all around us. They include our food, if it is loaded with chemicals and preservatives. Neurotoxins, a poison that affects the nervous system – Common examples of neurotoxins include lead, ethanol (drinking alcohol), glutamate, nitric oxide, botulinum toxin (e.g. Botox), tetanus toxin, and tetrodotoxin. A newborn baby’s umbilical cord has shown 287 neurotoxins. They are absorbed through the skin.
Glysophate and things like artificial sweeteners affect our microbiome (gut health) and are directly connected to inflammation. Glysophate is related to genetically modified organism which has become common in our food. It is found in cereals and other processed foods.
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant. It is an organophosphorus compound, specifically a phosphonate, which acts by inhibiting the plant enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase. It is used to kill weeds, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses that compete with crops. Wikipedia
The brain is strongly connected to our immune system. Damaged hormone levels equal problems with weight, sleep and fatigue and all increase our alzheimers risk.
Because soil depletion has affected the nutrients we get from food, use targeted supplementation to optimize your brain health.
Magnesium for our muscles and better sleep (preferably evening)
Melatonins help repair blood barrier to the brain and help sleep
Omega 3 fish oil, DHA specifically helps with inflammation
B vitamins, including the critical B 12 and DHA from algae
Folate lowers alzheimers risk
Vitamin D influences the function of thousands of genes
Turmeric is anti- inflammatory, an antioxidant and improves blood sugar and brain health
MCT or medium chain triglycerides are a great source of fuel for the brain and metabolism
Coffee, polyphenol, nurtures gut bacteria and brain health
If you have made it this far, congratulations! You have the ability to determine your cognitive health. Live your life to be stronger, healthier and better. You are worth the investment of energy. Be the best you that you can be.
Pray Unceasingly!!
In His light,
Lois