by Judi Valentine, PhD.
Alzheimer’s Disease has been a challenge to treat since no single drug has been found to stop or slow the progression. However, a small human study focused on using a broader-based therapeutic approach has offered new hope in the reversal of cognitive decline.
The 2014 study was led by Dr. Dale Bredesen, MD, of the Mary Easton Center for Alzheimer’s disease Research, Dept. of Neurology, UCLA. It included 10 patients; each diagnosed with Alzheimer’s associated memory loss.
Steps included in Dr. Bredesen’s Therapeutic approach:
- Change diet to low carb, low or no processed (junk) food to reduce insulin resistance and inflammation in brain tissue.
- Fast 12 hours between dinner and breakfast and consume no food three hours before sleep
- Reduce stress by engaging in yoga, meditation, music therapy, or other activities.
- Sleep a minimum 8 hours a night. Melatonin may help.
- Exercise for 30-60 minutes, 4-6 times a week.
- Test and increase low B-12 levels.
- Test and treat low CRP (C-reactive protein).
- Optimize dental hygiene with regular brushing and flossing or switching to an electric toothbrush.
- Stimulate the brain through reading, puzzles, group discussions, classes, and other activities.
- Treat high insulin and A1C w/diet. Type 2 diabetes creates a higher risk of AD
- Balance hormone levels. Optimize free T3, free T4 (thyroid hormones), estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol. Studies show a strong AD relationship with hormone-deficiencies.
- GI Health repair if needed: prebiotics, probiotics, treat leaky gut, yeast overgrowth
- Correct low serum Vitamin D levels.
- Increase NGF (nerve growth factor), consider Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
- Provide support of brain function: EPA/DHA high quality fish oil.
- Optimize antioxidants such as mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols (complete Vit E), Selenium, Vitamin C, Alpha Lipoic Acid, N-Acetyl Cysteine, blueberries, green tea.
- Ensure nocturnal oxygenation by treating sleep apnea.
- Increase focus with Pantothenic acid (B5), foods high in B vitamins.
- If indicated, treat heavy metal toxicity: Hg (mercury), Pb (lead), Cd (cadmium).
- Medium chain triglycerides like coconut oil and coconut cream may have a positive effect.
The overall approach was designed based on each patient’s history and needs. Patients followed a minimum of seven steps, especially low carb and low processed food diets, increasing quality sleep, evening to breakfast fasting, stress management, nutritional supplements as needed, balancing hormone levels, brain activity stimulation and regular exercise. None followed all of the steps outlined in the program.
Within 3-6 months, nine out of the 10 patients showed signs of improvement. All were able to continue working or return to work due to their improved performance.
Bredesen’s results raise the possibility that a therapeutic program could succeed in reversing Alzheimer’s related cognitive decline and suggest that a larger, more extensive study is warranted.
Read Dr. Bredesen’s Reversal of cognitive decline: a therapeutic program.
Prevention is best if you’re lucky enough to preempt illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. If following these steps could reverse AD as shown in the study, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to try. Talk to a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any changes.
Judith Valentine, PhD is a Clinical Nutritional Analyst & Consultant. She writes, teaches, and consults to individuals and organizations on issues of nutrition and wellness. In her spare time, Judi loves fiction writing and has had several memoir and crime tales published in the Penbay Pilot. In March of 2017 she published her first fiction novel for young readers, The Crystal Chain, available on Amazon.