REVERSING MEMORY LOSS

a good night’s rest, making sure that we exercise regularly and connecting with other people. Not good for the gut are dairy products, alcohol, highly processed foods that are low in fiber, high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, as well as antibiotics,” he says, adding that meditation and exposure to nature are powerful ways of reducing inflammation in the body and brain.

As explained by neurologist Dale E. Bredesen, author of The End of Alzheimer’s, stress leads to an increase in cortisol levels that can be toxic to our brains—in particular the memory—consolidating the hippocampus, one of the first structures affected by Alzheimer’s. Studies show that high stress levels can also contribute to brain fog, involving difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and mental fatigue. The Bredesen Protocol, available from health practitioners and online, includes exercising, eating a plant-based diet, supplementing to reduce insulin sensitivity and optimize cognitive function, reducing both gut inflammation and exposure to toxins, treating pathogens and optimizing sleep.

HealthyBrains.org, Cleveland Clinic’s Healthy Brains Initiative, is an online resource center with information on how to manage brain health and create a brain span that matches a life span. It offers six pillars of brain health as explained by brain health experts, including exercise, sleep, relaxation, mental fitness and social interaction.

Supplementing for brain health should be done wisely, says Mark Hyman, author of Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? and director of functional medicine at Cleveland Clinic. He recommends at the very least taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement, omega-3, extra vitamins B3, B6 and B12, folate and a good probiotic that enhances the brain-gut relationship. Mastery of the ABC’s in kindergarten is required as the foundation of language and a lifetime of learning. Living the fundamentals for a healthy brain can result in a brain span that equals our life span.

Linda Sechrist is a Natural Awakenings senior staff writer. Connect at Linda Sechrist.com.

with the Bredesen Protocol

by Jessica Montalvo

When Dr. Dale Bredesen, author of The End of Alzheimer’s, began his work as a researcher in neurology, he was optimistic that Alzheimer’s disease was curable by a drug. The last new drug approved was in 2003 because all the medications studied since have failed to show results in clinical trials. Bredesen’s work tells us why we’ve made so little progress with Alzheimer’s. At least 36 separate pathways exist that can lead to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia. A really excellent drug can only address two or three holes at best, so we have to follow a treatment plan that is much wider in scope.

The Bredesen Protocol is a new way to think about memory loss. Our brains start on the path of destruction decades before we start to visibly lose our memory. If the building blocks of the brain, the neurons, do not receive the right mix of signals from those 36 pathways, they die off. Then over time, we develop symptoms of dementia.

Alzheimer’s is the result of a misguided attempt of the brain to protect itself from a bad environment. The three main threats are inflammation; a shortage of supportive nutrients, hormones and other healthy brain materials; and toxic substances such as metals, pesticides and biotoxins produced by mold or other organisms.

The brain responds to these dangers by producing a protective substance called amyloid precursor protein, or APP, that wants to wall off damaged neurons. The brain does not want to spend resources on sick neurons when it can be strengthening healthy ones. When the threatening environment is persistent, APP production crosses from protective to harmful, choking off more and more neurons. The result is loss of memory, function and understanding of the world.

The Bredesen Protocol fixes the insulin resistance inflammation by focusing on food choices that are low in sugar, moderate in protein and high in quality fats. This allows the body to produce less insulin overall, and good fats are a much better source of fuel for brain cells. The timing of meals is also important. Following an eating schedule called intermittent fasting helps prevent excessive insulin production.

Brain cells and synapses need hormones such as estradiol and testosterone; nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate; and other compounds such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF. These factors make the building blocks of the brain stronger in the presence of stress.

The body is usually able to deal with toxins we encounter daily. Many reactions take place in the liver, kidneys and gut to make them harmless to be removed through urine, stool or sweat. Becoming overwhelmed by toxins causes many possible symptoms, including memory loss. The brain sees toxins as bad, and tries to protect itself by producing APP.

The Bredesen Protocol works well for people that want to help prevent Alzheimer’s or notice symptoms early and seek attention. The myth that Alzheimer’s disease is not preventable or that mild symptoms are not reversible is still pervasive in medical and public opinion. This misinformation can rob people of their ability to take greater control of their health destiny.

For more information, visit AlzSurvivor.com.

Jessica Montalvo, M.D., is a certified functional medicine clinician through the Institute for Functional Medicine and has completed training in Dr. Dale Bredesen’s RECODE protocol. She practices at Forum Health, in Wheaton. To learn more, visit ForumHealth. com/locations/wheaton-il. See ad in Business Directory at NAChicago.com.