The Holistic Health Show with Dr. Carl Helvie and guest Dr. Dale E Bredesen.
Dr. Bredesen’s research has led to new insight that explains the erosion of memory seen in Alzheimer’s disease, and has opened the door to a new therapeutic approach. He has found evidence that Alzheimer’s disease stems from an imbalance in nerve cell signaling: in the normal brain, specific signals foster nerve connections and memory making, while also balancing signals support memory breaking, allowing irrelevant information to be forgotten.
But in Alzheimer’s disease, the balance of these opposing signals is disturbed, nerve connections are suppressed, and memories are lost. This model is contrary to popular dogma that Alzheimer’s is a disease of toxicity, caused by the accumulation of sticky plaques in the brain. Bredesen believes the amyloid beta peptide, the source of the plaques, has a normal function in the brain — promoting signals that allow some of the nerve connections to lapse. Thus the increase in the peptide occurs in Alzheimer’s disease shifts the memory-making vs. memory-breaking balance in favor of memory loss.
It must have been heart-breaking for Mark Hatzer to realize his mother Sylvia, an 82 year old dementia sufferer, could no longer recognize her own son. The last thing he wanted was to lose a parent but as her condition worsened, Sylvia was admitted to North Manchester General Hospital for her own safety.
During her time there, it was challenging in a number of ways. Sylvia’s memory began wavering in 2015 and she would often struggle to recall plans she made or birthdays. But it was in December 2016 that doctors diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s disease and when Mark noticed his mother’s rapid deterioration.
Failing to remember lunch plans and birthdays is understandable with age. Sylvia had even called the police and accused nurses at the hospital of kidnapping, which is forgivable. However, it was when Mark’s mom could not recognize him that he felt he “reached the lowest point of his life.”
Road to Recovery: How Sylvia Hatzer Beat Dementia
Sylvia had been in hospital for two months before doctors allowed her to be discharged from the hospital. She wasn’t yet in the clear, though. Sylvia was still exhibiting all the early signs and symptoms of dementia…
-Memory problems (especially short-term)
-Increased confusion
-Trouble concentrating
-Changes in personality or behavior
-Generally withdrawn, apathetic, or depressed
-Unable to complete simple, everyday tasks
However, it was the Hatzer family’s next steps that made all the difference.
“When she left hospital, instead of prescribed medication, we thought we’d perhaps try an alternative treatment.… In [Mediterranean] countries Alzheimer’s is virtually unheard of because of their diet.
Everyone knows about fish but there are also blueberries, strawberries, Brazil nuts and walnuts – these are apparently shaped like a brain to give us a sign that they are good for the brain.”
Researcher have also studied diets from Mediterranean countries (e.g., France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Turkey) for quite some time now. Scientists and Mediterranean natives alike tout these cultural diets as being helpful for improving memory or thinking and reducing dementia risk.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, “Mediterranean diets are traditionally high in fruit, vegetables, legumes and cereals, with moderate consumption of oily fish and dairy, and low in meat, sugar and saturated fat.”
More Evidence That Mediterranean Diets Can Prevent and Treat Dementia
In fact, research presented at the July 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International conference revealed that eating a Mediterranean diet could significantly lower adults’ risk of dementia. The study, led by University of California’s Claire McEvoy, analyzed ~6,000 Americans’ eating habits.
And although the average age of participants was 68-years-old, the study was nationally representative enough for its findings to be relevant to the general public, as reported by CNN.
“After adjusting for age, gender, race, low educational attainment and lifestyle and health issues – such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, depression, smoking & physical inactivity – researchers found that those who followed the MIND or Mediterranean diet had a 30% to 35% lower risk of cognitive impairment.”
A 2013 systematic review published in Epidemiology analyzed the results of twelve relevant scientific papers to see whether Mediterranean diets could positively affect cognitive function. In it, researchers found “that greater adherence to Mediterranean diet is associated with slower cognitive decline and lower risk of developing Alzheimer disease.”
Another 2016 systematic review published in Advances in Nutrition further reiterated earlier findings. Although researchers require more studies before they make causation claims between Mediterranean diets and dementia prevention, they do acknowledge “that adherence to the MD is associated with better cognitive performance.”
What Else Did Sylvia Do That Helped Reverse Dementia?
Mark shared that his mother also frequently performed cognitive exercises. These included things such as crosswords and jigsaw puzzles, as well as staying engaged in social clubs. He even got his mother a pedaling device that helps her exercise while sitting down.
“It wasn’t an overnight miracle but after a couple of months she began remembering things like birthdays and was becoming her old self again, more alert, more engaged. People think that once you get a diagnosis your life is at an end. You will have good and bad days but it doesn’t have to be the end.”
If someone at 82-years-old was able to make a real-life difference through diet, who’s to say you can’t also benefit? Changes don’t need to be big either! So, whether you choose to tweak your diet, stop a smoking habit, or any other lifestyle habits to prevent dementia, you can start protecting your brain today. https://nutritionfacts.org/?s=alzheimer
Source: Theheartysoul.com
Almost 20 years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Christine Bryden has defied all odds and stumped medical professionals by defying the disease and living a normal successful life. After being diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 46 in 1995, the mother-of-three was devastated by her terminal prognosis. She was also told she would need full-time care within five years and would be dead before she turned 60.
And yet 2 decades later, Ms. Bryden has reshaped medical thinking about the disease, writing two books, completing a post-graduate diploma and even entering into a new relationship with her partner – all while her brain continues to deteriorate. ‘Somehow its difficult to be brave when you face losing the ability to be brave. Slowly I’m trying to adapt and its hard work trying to keep going, keep talking and keep thinking.’
Despite her emotional turmoil, Ms. Bryden refused to simply let the disease take over her mind. She released a book, ‘Who Will I Be When I Die’, which explores the isolation and the feeling of identity loss experienced by dementia sufferer.
P. Murali Doraiswamy discusses recent breakthroughs in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and what everyone can do to postpone the onset of memory loss.
This is a clip from a documentary I made in support of nurses and nurse practitioners. I found this man and his situation very touching.
The documentary is called “A Nurse I Am.”
The 7 Stages Of Alzheimer’s Disease
How Alzheimer’s Evolves From Early to late stages…
Has Alzheimer’s been cured? Ten patients with Alzheimer’s genes, Alzheimer’s or similar cognitive decline have seen a reversal of their symptoms thanks to a regimen that includes drugs, diet, exercise, and brain stimulation. As long as they stick with the regimen from their clinical trial, the improvements are sustained.
Can this regimen also work on other patients? In this article, we have details about all 10 patients, links to the study, and details on which diet and exercise recommendations were used in the treatment.
Now researchers from Tel Aviv Uniyversity found that extracts from cinnamon bark inhibit the toxic amyloid polypeptide oligomers and fibrils that have been found in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) brain plaque formations. In animal models of Alzheimer’s, cinnamon reduced s-amyloid plaques also associated with the pathology of AD. Reduction of these proteins can improve mental cognition.
In one model, cinnamon extract resolved AD associate reduced longevity, helped recover locomotion defects and completely abolished tetrameric species of plaque in the brain.
Other benefits of cinnamon are: anti-microbial actions, blood sugar balancing, improving colon health, boosting brain function. Cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon also has been well researched for its effects.
Compounds in Black Cumin Have Neuroprotective Benefits. Studies on the neuroprotective effects of N. sativa and TQ which were published between 1979 and 2018, were searched using various databases. The results of these studies show N. sativa and TQ have the protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases, including; Alzheimer, depression, encephalomyelitis, epilepsy, ischemia, Parkinson, and traumatic brain injury have been discussed in the cell lines and experimental animal models.
Prevagen Improves Memory*
Extra Strength Prevagen is a dietary supplement that has been clinically shown to help with mild memory loss associated with aging.* Prevagen contains apoaequorin, which is safe and uniquely supports brain function.*
Also A Film to be Made of Father’s Recovery from Alzheimer’s with Coconut Oil!!!
Google silica and Alzheimer’s: Research heavy metals and remove the aluminum from the brain to prevent Alzheimer’s!!!
Side Note: While most people tolerate Vytorin® ( ezetimibe/simvastatin) well, side effects can occur. For people taking Vytorin, memory loss (known medically as amnesia) is a rare but possible side effect, probably occurring in less than 1 percent of people. Be leary of all Prescriptions they are taking and their induces side effects.