IsAlzheimer’sPreventable?

Possibly,withpropercareandfeedingofthebrain

May 2018

Developedby:Charles K. Bens, Ph.D. Healthy at Work Sarasota, Florida

TableofContents

Introduction PageI. GeneralNutritionalGuidelines 1

II. SpecificNutritionalGuidelinesfortheBrain 2

III. PuttingNutrientstoWorkintheBrain 2

IV. AddressingSpecificNutritionalDeficiencies 4

V. TheBestNutritionalSupplementsforAlzheimer’s 6

VI. Non-NutritionFactorsthatInfluenceAlzheimer’s 12

A. ExerciseB. BrainexerciseC. SleepD. DetoxificationE. InflammationF. StressG. Drugsthatcancausedementia/Alzheimer’

VII. Alzheimer’sEarlyWarningTestPanel 25

VIII. ANaturalStrategyforPreventingandTreatingAlzheimer’s 28

IX. Implementationsuggestions 36

X. SomeFinalThoughts 37

Appendices AppendixI BrainHealthSurvey AppendixII FoodValueChart AppendixIII BrainFoodCheck AppendixIV OptimumNutritionSurvey AppendixV Dr.Rona’sSupplementList AppendixVI StressTest AppendixVII Self-talkWorksheet AppendixVIII CanYouCope?Aself-test AppendixIX PrescriptionDrugsandNutritionalDeficiencies AppendixX SubjectiveMemoryTest AppendixXI PhysicalFitnessQuestionnaire AppendixXII StressLevelAssessment AppendixXIII CommitmenttoNaturalMedicine AppendixXIV BrainNutritionalDeficienciesChartAppendixXV SupplementsfortheBrain AppendixXVI NutritionalDepletionfromCookingAppendixXVII PersonalImprovementStrategyAppendixXVIII Self-helpApproachtoHealthAppendixXIX CostEffectiveFoodStrategiesAppendixXX AffordableSupplementStrategies AppendixXXISummaryofDr.Bredesen’sbook

Introduction

Dementia,andspecificallyaformofdementiaknownasAlzheimer’s,isatreadedillnessthatcantakeawaysometothemostvaluableyearsofsomeone’slife.Foravastmajorityofthepopulation,aswellasmostofconventionalmedicinephysicians,thisillnessisconsideredtobewithoutanyprovenearlydiagnosisoranyeffectivetreatmentoptions.However,evidencehasbeenemergingoverthepastseveralyearsthatthisisamisperceptiontosaytheleast.Naturalmedicinehasbeensearchingforwaystoidentifythecause,thediagnostictoolsandthetreatmentstrategiesfornearlyseventyyears.Intheearly1950’sscientistssuchasLinusPaulingandAbramHofferweredevelopinganewapproachtomentalchallenges,whichbecameknownasOrthomolecularPsychiatry.Theirtheorycenteredonthebeliefthatwhatpeopleate,ordidnoteat,hadalottodowiththehealthoftheirbrain.Theyandseveraloftheircolleaguesstartedtoexperimentwithpeoplewhowereexperiencingillnessessuchasdepression,anxiety,bi-polar,dementia,schizophrenia,autism,Parkinson’sandAlzheimer’s.Itdidnottakelongforthesescientistsanddoctorstofindoutthattheycouldachievesignificantimprovementinmanyoftheseconditionsbychangingaperson’sdietandaddingsomespecificnutritionalsupplements.TheresultsoftheseearlyexperimentshavebeenpartiallydocumentedinbooksbyCarlPfeiffer,EricBraverman,JoanMathewsLarsonandothers.Inmorerecentyears,aftertheyear2000,otherscientistsanddoctorshaveaddedmoreresearchandfindingswitheverincreasingevidenceofbenefitsforthisnaturalapproach.SomeofthisworkhasbeendocumentedinbooksbyDanielAmen,DavidPerlmutter,GarySmallandnowDaleBredesen.Dr.SmallandDr.BredesenareresearchersandprofessorsatUCLA,oneofthemostrespecteduniversitiesinthecountry.Inthepastfewyearstheyhaveaddednewsciencenowcapturedintheirbooks,TheAlzheimer’sPreventionProgramandtheEndofAlzheimer’s.Dr.Bredesen’sbookhasreceivedthemostattentionbecauseitisbasedontheresultsofasmallclinicaltrialinvolvingtenpatientswithvariousstagesofproperlydiagnosedAlzheimer’sDisease.InsteadoftakingthenormalconventionalmedicineapproachinvolvingoneormoreprescriptionmedicationsBredesenandhisteamdecidedtomoveawayfromthemonotherapyapproachandlookatalloftheknownriskfactorsforAlzheimer’sthathavebeenidentifiedbythevariousscientistsanddoctorswhohavebeenstudyingthisillnessoverthepastseventyyears.Theyfoundthirty-sixsuchfactorsanddevelopedaprotocoltoaddresseachofthem.(thirty-fivenaturalstrategiesandonemedication).Totheirsurpriseanddelighttheyfoundthatnineoutoftenofthesepatientsrealizedsignificantimprovementintheirstandardizedtestscores,aswellastheirdailylivingexperiences.Manyofthemreturnedtoworkandallofthemexperiencedimprovementsintheircognitivefunctionsaccordingtestsandobservationsfromtheirfamilyandfriends.And,afternearlythreeyearsoffollowuptheyhavebeenabletosustaintheirimprovement.Thisisasignificantresultgiventhatnootherstudyhasbeenabletoreportsimilarfindingsinanyotherconventionalmedicinestudy.

OtherpatientsofDr.Bredesen,overonehundredsofar,haverealizedsimilarresultsandabout450doctorsacrossthecountryhavesignedontodeliverythisprotocoltotheirpatients,afterbeingproperlytrained.Suchdramaticchangesaredifficulttoaccept,especiallyforamedicalprofessionandadrugindustrythataresofocusedontheuseofprescriptionmedicationsandrevenuethataregenerated.However,hopefullymoretrialswillprovetheefficacyofthisapproach,andthemedicalparadigmwillbegintoshiftinthisdirection.ThefollowingeducationalprogramisasummaryoftheresearchdoneoverthepastseventyyearsonthetopicofdementiaandAlzheimer’s.Itisourhopethatitwillbeusedbyhealthcareproviders,peoplewithknownfamilyriskandtheirfamiliestoprovidethebasicinformationavailabletotrytopreventtheincidenceandadvancementofthisverychallengingillness.

1

IsAlzheimer’sPreventable?Alzheimer’s,likemostdiseases,isverypreventable.Evendiseases,suchasdiabetesandcancer,arepreventableinspiteofthestatementsaboutgeneticinfluences,andtherecentsuggestionthatthecellreplicationprocessisthemaincauseofdisease.Yes,genesandcellreplicationplayarole,butaretheytotallyfixed,ortotallyaccidental?Aswewillseeintheresearchpresentedinthisarticle,mostdisease,includingAlzheimer’s,isprecipitatedandadvancedbymanycontrollablefactors.1,2,3,4,5

Yes,geneticsisalsoafactor,butprimarilyinearlyonsetAlzheimer’s,whichonlyaccountsfor5%ofAlzheimercases.6Theother95%ofcasesaremuchmoreattributabletotheabove-mentionedfactors,whicharecontrollabletoalargeextent.Andthatbringsustothenumberonecontrollablefactor,whichisdelusion.ThevastmajorityofourpopulationhasnoideaabouttheconnectionofAlzheimer’stotheabove-mentionedfactors.Theygoblindlythroughtheirlives,clueless,astothepoordecisionstheyaremakingonaday-to-daybasisthatwilleventuallyleadthemtosomechronicdisease,maybeevenAlzheimer’s.Tobegintogetamorerealisticpictureofyourpersonalbrainhealth,considerusingTheBrainHealthSurvey(AppendixI)inthisarticle.Ifyoudocareaboutyourfuturehealth,especiallyasitrelatesto“brainhealth,”thenthereareseverallifestyledecisionsyoushouldconsider.I. GeneralNutritionalGuidelines–Allfoodshaveaspecificlevelofnutritionalvalue

thathasbeenwellestablishedbynumerousscientificstudies.Ourcellsneedcertainnutrientsinordertofunctionproperly,andwhenthesenutrientsarenotprovided,thediseaseprocessbegins.Ifweeatsomebroccoli,thecellsrespondfavorably,butifweeatadonut,thecellsarelesssatisfied.Itisacruel,butfactual,commentthatthefoodswelovethemostareoftenthefoodsthatarenotasgoodforus.Ourcellsdonotusuallytellusimmediatelywhichfoodsaregoodorbad,buteventually,theywill.Unfortunately,bythattime,diseasehasoftenalreadystarted.Aflaweddiagnosticsystemispartiallytoblame,andwewilldiscussthatmoreinanotherpartofthisarticle.Inordertoprovidesomeguidelinesforwhatisgoodorbad,wehavecreatedanassessmenttoolcalled,“TheFoodValueChart”(AppendixII).Bycompletingthisassessment,anyonecandeterminehowwellheorsheiseating,basedonthenutritionalvalueofthefoodstheyareconsuming.Foodsarerankedonascaleofonetoten,andaftercompletingtheassessment,itcanbedeterminedifyouareeatingwellenough,“ingeneral,”topreventtheoccurrenceofchronicdisease.

• PoorNutrition• Digestiveissues• Accumulationoftoxins• Inflammation• Sleepproblems• Lowhormonelevels

• Viralinfections• Stressandexcesscortisol• Electromagneticradiation• Prescriptionmedications• Lackofexercise(physicaland

mental)

2

II. SpecificNutritionalGuidelinesfortheBrain–Scientificstudieshavealsoestablishedthatsomefoodsareveryprotectiveforthebrain,whilesomeothersactuallydamagethebraininsomeway.AnarticleinLifeExtensionMagazinecomparedtheMediterraneanDiet,theDASHDietandtheMindDietinordertodeterminedwhichoneconferredthebestprotectionagainstAlzheimer’s.AllofthesedietswereabletoreducetheriskofAlzheimer’sbyaminimumof40%,buttheMindDietconferredthebestriskreductionat52%.7

TheTenBestFoods1.Greenleafyvegetables 6.Wholegrains(verylittle)2.Othervegetables 7.Fish(omega3-salmonandsardines)3.Nuts 8.Poultry4.Berries 9.Healthyoils(olive,avocado,coconut)5.Beans 10.Wine(moderatelevel)

TheSixWorstFoods1.Redmeats-grassfedbeef? 4.Pastriesandsweets(incl.softdrinks)2.Butter/margarine 5.Fried/fastfoods3.Cheese 6.Farmraisedfish

Thebrainalsoneedsasufficientamountofcertainfoodsinordertopromotegoodbrainhealth.Theseinclude:

1. Glucose–Providesenergyforthebraintofunction.2. Essentialfats–Keepsbraincellmembranessoft.3. Phospholipids–Boostsmemoryfunction.4. Aminoacids–Thebuildingblocksformakingneurotransmitters.5. Intelligentnutrients–Thevitaminsandmineralsneededforallbrain

processes.

PatrickHolfordhasdevelopedanassessmenttoolcalledTheBrainFoodCheck(AppendixIII),whichcanbeusedtodetermineifsomeonehasadeficiencyinanyofthesefiveimportantfoodgroups.Usingthisassessmenttoolshouldmakeitmucheasiertodeterminethebestfoodchoicesforyourbrain.

III. PuttingNutrientstoWorkintheBrain-Agoodexampleofhownutrientsworkinthebrainistheproductionofneurotransmitters.Neurotransmittersarenecessarytosendsignalsinthebraintoremembersomething,totalk,ortoaccomplishphysicalactivities.Withoutasufficientlevelofneurotransmitters,ourbrainswouldnotbeabletofunction,andourbodieswouldalsobeveryrestricted.Someofthekeyneurotransmittersnecessaryforthebraintofunctionproperlyinclude:

• Serotonin • GABA • Melatonin• Dopamine • Tryptophan • Adrenaline

3

Theseneurotransmitterscanbeproducedinthebrain,butareprimarilymadeintheintestinesusingthefollowingprocess:

TheHormoneandNeurotransmitterEquationHaveyoueverwonderedwhysomanypeoplesufferfromillnesses,suchasdepression,sleepdeprivation,foodcravings,addiction,sexualdysfunction,PMSandothermoodchallenges?Theseandmanyothersimilarconditionsarerelatedtotheproductionofneurotransmittersandhormones.Thereisaformulabywhichthesebiochemicalsareproducedinthebody.Thefollowingisthegeneralequation:

• Aminoacids–Theproteinbuildingblocksofallcells(poultry,fish,eggs,nuts,soyandmeat).

• Methylators–Nutrientsthatbreakdownaminoacids(B6,B12,folicacidand

enzymesinfoodandsupplements)intothehormonesandneurotransmittersneededbyourbody.

• pH/temperature–Balancedacidandalkalinity(pH7.0–7.4)createstheideal

temperatureformakinghormonesandneurotransmitters.• Aging–Hormonesandneurotransmittersdeclinewithage(peoplemakeless

enzymes,stomachacidandintestinalbacteriaastheyage,whichaltersthelevelofthesebasicbiochemicals).

• Dosage–Eachpersonisunique,andtheirDNA(geneticmake-up)mightindicate

theneedforuptotentimesagivennutrient.(BiochemicalIndividualitybyRogerWilliams).9

• Energy–Nobiochemicalprocessispossiblewithoutenergy(themitochondria

inthecellmakeenergyfromglucoseandoxygenandthisprocesscanbeenhancedwithnutritionalsupplements,suchasCo-enzymeQ10,Magnesium,L-carnitine).

Mostallopathic/conventionaldoctorstreatbrainandhormone-relatedconditionswithprescriptionmedications,whichdonotaddresstherootcause,andcancausemanynegativesideeffects.Itismuchbettertofindaholisticorafunctional

Amino+MethylatorsXacids

pH/tempAgingDosage

XEnergy=Hormones&Neurotransmitters

4

medicinedoctorwhounderstandstherootcauseofanillnessandcantreatthewholebody,insteadofthesymptoms.

Thefollowingillustrationexplainshowtheseneurotransmittersaresentfromtheneurontoareceptorsite.Eachneurotransmittermusttravelacrossthesynapticgapandcanonlybereceivedifitfitsintocertainspecificreceptorsites.10

Ifthereareinsufficientneurotransmittersgoingintothecorrectreceptorsites,thenthefollowingproblemswillbecreated:

• Poorsleep • Memoryloss • Anger• Cravings • Headaches • Sadness• Depression • Lackoffocus • Addictivebehavior

Ifthesedeficiencieshappenfrequentlyenough,overtime,theycancreatestressandinflammationinthebrain,leadingtoevenmoreseriousconditions,suchasParkinson’s,Alzheimer’s,AmyotrophicLateralSclerosis(ALS)andevencancer.Theremaybeothercontributingfactors,suchastoxins,inthebrainandthebuild-upofplaque.Dr.Bredesenhasidentified36factorsthatcontributetothedevelopmentofAlzheimer’sDisease.Infact,itisusuallythecasethatseveralfactorscontributetoseriousbrainconditions.11,12

IV. AddressingSpecificNutritionalDeficiencies

Uptothispoint,wehaveonlyconsideredwhatthelikelyfactors,orcauses,mightbeforpotentialfuturebrainchallenges.However,fromastrictlynutritionalperspective,thereissomethingyoucanevaluateinordertodetermineyouractualnutritionaldeficiencies,andtheyarecalledsymptoms.PatrickHolfordhasdevelopedanOptimalNutritionSurvey(AppendixIV)thatcanbeusedtodetermineifyourbody,oryourbrain,arespeakingtoyouabouttheneedforadditionalnutrients.13Byusingthissimple,buteffective,assessmenttool,itis

5

possibletofindexistingdeficienciesinseventeenimportantnutrients.Afterreviewingtheresults,youcandecidetoaddressanydeficiencieswithfoodorwithnutritionalsupplements.ThefollowingchartprovidestheRecommendedDailyAllowance(RDA),aswellastheOptimalDailyAllowances(ODA),forsomekeynutrients.ManydoctorsandscientistshavedeterminedthattheRDAisthenominallevelofnutrientsnecessary,whichtheODArepresentsthelevelnecessarytoprevent,andevenreverse,manychronicillnesses.Dr.BredesenhasconfirmedthatoptimallevelsofkeynutrientsareneededinordertobothpreventandreverseAlzheimer’sanddementia.

DailyNutritionalRequirements-RDAComparedtoODA14

Nutrient AverageDiet

GoodDiet

RDA ODA ODAGap

Gooddietdeficiency%

1. VitaminEIU 21 75 60 440 365 85%2. VitaminCmg 100 200 60 2000 1800 90%3. VitaminB1mg 2 5 1.5 35 30 85%4. VitaminB2mg 2.18 5 1.7 35 30 85%5. VitaminB3mg 39.6 50 20 85 35 41%6. VitaminB5mg 2.175 20 10 100 80 80%7. VitaminB6mg 3.1 5 2 75 70 93%8. FolicAcidmcg 325.5 400 400 800 400 50%9. VitaminB12mcg 5.95 10 60 1000 990 990%10. Omega6mg 20 40 - 150 110 73%11. Omega3mg 60 100 - 700 600 85%12. Calciummg 800 912.5 - 1000 87.5 8.75%13. Magnesiummg 272 350 400 500 150 30%14. Zincmg 9.3 10 15 20 10 50%15. AminoAcidsmg 500 1000 NA 2000 1000 50%

FoodSourcesofDeficientNutrients15

Nutrient FoodSources1. VitaminE Wholegrains(notwheat),eggs,omegaoils,nuts,oatmeal2. VitaminC Tomatoes,cherries,citrusfruit,berries,broccoli3. VitaminB1 Nuts,poultry,fish,wholegrains,brownrice4. VitaminB2 Non-cowdairy,eggs,nuts,wholegrains5. VitaminB3 Broccoli,carrots,eggs,fish,non-cowdiary,organicliver6. VitaminB5 Eggs,vegetables,legumes,nuts,saltwaterfish,wholegrains7. VitaminB6 Non-cowmilk,cabbage,wholegrains,greenvegetables8. FolicAcid Barley,brownrice,non-cowcheese,chicken,greenvegetables,fish9. VitaminB12 Eggs,non-cowdairyproducts,soybeans,seavegetables,herring10. Omega6 Coldpressedoils(flax,borage,etc.),salmon

6

11. Omega3 Coldpressedoils(flax,borage,etc.),salmon12. Calcium Greenvegetables,sardines,non-cowdairyproducts,salmon,tofu13. Magnesium Seafood,organicdairy,fruits,vegetables,wholegrains(notwheat)14. Zinc Eggyolks,fish,wholegrains,seeds,poultry,legumes15. Aminoacids Poultry,fish,eggs,non-cowdairyproducts,soyproducts

V. TheBestNutritionalSupplementsforAlzheimer’s-Therearemanyreasonswhy

mostpeoplecannotgetthenutrientstheyneedfromfoodalone.Infact,Idefyanyonetoprovethatthisispossible,sinceIneverfoundascientificstudythatindicatesthatitis.Thereisscientificevidencetoprovethatnutritionalsupplementsareabsolutelynecessaryforthepreventionandreversalofchronicdisease,includingAlzheimer’s.Herearefivefactors,andthesciencetoprovethem:1. Astudyofmorethan16,000peoplebytheNationalCancerInstitutecouldnot

findonepersonwithatrulyhealthydiet.Infact,mostpeoplehadsignificantnutritionaldeficienciesinelevenoutoffourteennutritionalcategories.16

2. Nutrientdepletioniscausedduetopoorsoilmanagement,useofpesticides,

earlyharvesting,longtransporttimes,overprocessing,poorfoodselectionandinadequatechewinganddigestion.17

3. Dr.RogerWilliams’book,BiochemicalIndividuality,provesthateachperson’s

nutritionalneedsaredifferent,andthatsomepeopleneeduptotentimesasmuchasothersmayneed.Agoodexampleisthepancreas,whichcanhave200,000insulinproducingbetacells,orasmanyas2.5million.Thatmeansthattheriskofdiabetesistentimeshigherforthepersonwithonly200,000betacells.18

4. Agingisalsoakeyfactor.Thisisduetothefactthat,asweage,ourbodiesare

programmedtomakelessenzymes,lessintestinalbacteria,lessstomachacidandlessantioxidants,suchasglutathioneandsuperoxidedismutase(fiftypercentlessbytheageof50).Thisprocessisageneticprogramdesignedtosystematicallylimitourlifespan.Italsoisakeyfactorinthedepletionofnutrientsneededbythebodytostayhealthy.19

5. Therearealsomanysituationswhereourcellsneedadditionalnutrientsabove

andbeyondthoseneededinapassivelifestyle.Someofthesefactorsinclude:20

7

Toseeacompletelistofthesefactorsandtheextranutrientsrequired,pleaseseethefollowingchart.

Chromium X

Zinc X

X

X

X

X

Lysine X

X

Selenium X

Omega 3 X

X

Potassium X

X

Iron X

X

Copper X

Folic Acid X

X

X

X

X

X

Glutathione X

X

Glutamine X

X

X

Magnesium X

X

X

X

X

Calcium X

X

X

X

X

X

Vitamin E X

X

X

X

X

X

Vitamin D3 X

X

X

CoQ10 X

X

X

X

X

Vitamin C X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

B-12 X

X

X

X

X

X

X

B-6 X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

B-2 X

X

X

X

Vitamin B Complex X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Beta Carotene X

X

Vitamin A X

X

X

Antioxidants X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Amino Acids X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Chart I Condition/ Situation

1. E

xerc

ise

2. P

regn

ancy

3. S

tress

4. D

rinki

ng

a

lcoh

ol

5. S

mok

ing

t

obac

co

6. E

mot

iona

l

chal

leng

es

7. C

olds

and

flu

8.

Chr

onic

illn

esse

s

9. I

njur

ies

10.

Med

icat

ions

11. S

urge

ry

12. N

atur

al

d

eple

tion

1. Alcohol–Alsoneedtryptophan,serotonin,SAM-eandL-cysteine.2. Smoking–Alsoneedalphalipoicacid,inositolandN-acetylcysteine.3. Chronicillnessincludes–heartdisease,diabetes,arthritis,asthma,etc.4. Medications–ArticlesontheInternetforeachmedication.

8

5. Naturaldepletion–Basicallyantioxidants,probioticsandenzymes.

Thescientificproofbehindthesenutrientdepletionfactorsiscompelling,andthereismoreevidenceemergingfromtheworkofDr.BruceAmes,TriageTheoryofNutrition.Dr.Ameshasestablishedthatthebodyusesthenutrientsavailableinathree-steppriorityprocess.Theprioritiesareasfollows:21

1. Firstpriority–Reproductiontoprotectthespeciesandtheimmediate

threatsfromoutsideinvaders,suchasgerms,bacteriaandmicrobes.

2. Secondpriority–Immediateneedsincludecellularenergyandmaintenanceandproductionofbiochemicalsuchashormonesandneurotransmitters.

3. Thirdpriority–Dealingwithchronicdiseaseanaging.

The Five Stages of Cellular Deterioration

Whencellsdonotgetthenutrientstheyneed,arestressedorareexposedtotoxinsthebeginaprocessofcellulardeterioration,whichtypicallyfollowsthefivestagesbelow.Thisprocesscanbeacceleratedoncertainsituationssuchaswhengeneticforcesinterveneorcellsareexposedtothehighestleveloftoxinssuchasnuclearradiationofmercurypoisoning.However,inavastmajorityofcases,thefollowingfivestagesofdeteriorationoccur.*PleaseseethenextpagefortheFiveStagesofCellularDeteriorationexample.

9

Givenallofthescientificfactorsinfluencingnutrientintakeandabsorption,isitanysurprisethatourbodiesarebecominglesshealthywitheachnewgeneration?Notonlyhaschronicdiseaseincreasedby600%inthepastseveraldecades,theCentersforDiseaseControlnowinformsusthatthegenerationbornaftertheyear2000willbethefirstgenerationthatwillexperienceashorterlifespan.22IntermsofdementiaandAlzheimer’s,thesenutritionaldeficienciesarehavinganincreasinglysignificantimpact.Usingthefollowingchart,wecangetasnapshotofthenutritionaldeficienciesrelatedtofourteendifferentbrainchallenges,includingAlzheimer’s.

10

Magnesium

Calcium

VitaminB

VitaminC

VitaminE

Omega3&6

GABA

Beta

Carotene

AminoAcids

Zinc

Hormones

CoQ10

Potassium

Lecithin

Selenium

ADD/ADHD X X X X X X X X X X X Alcoholism X X X X X X X X X X X XAlzheimer’s X X X X X X X X X X X XAnxiety X X X X X X X X X X X XAutism X X X X X X X X X X X XDepression X X X X X X X X X X X XHeadache/Migranes X X X X X X X X X Memoryloss/Dementia X X X X X X X X X X X XMenopause X X X X X X X X X X X X XParkinson’sDisease X X X X X X X X X X XSchizophrenia X X X X X X X X X X X Smokingdependency X X X X X X X X XSleepdisorder X X X X X X X X Stress X X X X X X X X X X X X XTOTAL

12

12

14

14

13

12

7

5

13

12

8

9

8

8

10

Inthisanalysis,fifteenessentialnutrientswereidentifiedasthemostcommonlydeficientnutrientsfortheselectedbrainrelatedillnesses.Outofthesefifteenessentialnutrients,eighthavebeenfoundtobedeficient85%ormoreofthetimeinthefourteen-selectedbrainrelatedillnesses.

Whyarenutrientssoimportanttothebrain?Inadditiontothesenutritionaldeficiencies,Dr.ZoltanRonahasbeenabletoestablishthebenefitofcertainnutritionalsupplementsinhisresearchandpractice.Hisarticleisentitled,MyTop10SupplementsforPreventingandReversingAlzheimer’s,DementiaandMore.BelowisalistofDr.Rona’stopten:23,24

• Omega3fattyacids • Coconutoil• Magnesiumglycinate • Lithiumorotate• Curcumin • CoenzymeQ10• VitaminD • Phosphalidylserine• VitaminB12 • Ginkgobilobaextract

Theselistshavesomecommonnutrientslisted,butthereisgoodscientificevidenceforallofthem.Infact,astudybyUCLAfoundover35naturalcomponentsintheirAlzheimer’sreversalprotocol.NutritionisundoubtedlythenumberonefactorinfluencingAlzheimer’sdiagnosisandtreatment.

11

KeynutrientstopreventAlzheimer’s-byfunctionaluse

Improvefocus,concentrationandretention-Ltheanine-Curcumin-DMAE-Lutein

BloodflowandOxygendelivery-Ginkgobiloba-Curcumin-Niacin-Riboflavin

Improvegeneticfunction-VitaminD3-Resveratrol-Curcumin

Betaamyloidoligomerprotection

-Ashwagandha-Lithiumorotate-Curcumin

Anti-inflammatory

-Omegaoils-Curcumin-Enzymes

Removeheavymetals

-Lithiumorotate-Silica-Zine-Chlorella-N-aceytl-cysteine

Antioxidants-Astaxanthin-VitaminC-VitaminE-AcetylCysteine-Alphalipoicacid-Curcumin-Greentea

Makeneuro-transmitters

-Aminoacids-VitaminB6-VitaminB12-Folicacid-Enzymes

Energyproducers-Magnesium-CoenzymeQ10-Coconutoil-PQQ-Zinc-SAMe

CommunicationBetweenneurons-Phosphalidylserine-Acetyl-L-carnitine-VitaminD3-Bvitamins-VitaminA

Cognitiveperformance-Ginkgobiloba-Magnesiumtheonate-Lithiumorotate-Omegaoils-VitaminB12

Nervecellreplication

-Lithiumorotate-Benfothiamine-Bvitamins-Aminoacids-CalciumAEP

Cellmembrane&DNAprotector

-Omega3oils-VitaminE-CalciumAEP-Pomegranate-Glutathione&SOD

12

VI. Non-NutritionalFactorsthatInfluenceAlzheimer’s-MostscientistsanddoctorsspecializinginholisticmedicalapproachesforpreventingandtreatingAlzheimer’sagreethatnutritionisbyfarthemostimportantconsideration.However,thereisexcellentevidenceaboutotherfactorsthatshouldalsobetakenintoconsideration.Thesefactorsfallintothefollowingcategories:

• Exercise • Inflammation• Sleep • Prescriptionmedication• Stress • Findingtherightdoctor• Detoxification(especially

aluminum)• Gettingtherighttests

performed

EachofthesecategorieswillbecoveredtoprovideenoughinformationtoensurethedevelopmentofacomprehensiveprotocolforaholisticpreventionandtreatmentstrategyfordementiaandAlzheimer’s.26,27,28A. Exercise

AccordingtoLauraBakerofWakeForestSchoolofMedicine,“Regularaerobicexercisecouldbeafountainofyouthforthebrain.”Dr.BakerwasoneoftheleadingscientistsonastudylookingintothewaysthatexercisecaninfluencethedeteriorationofthebrainonceithasbegunthejourneytowardsAlzheimer’s.29

Thisstudyinvolved70patientswithmildcognitiveimpairment,whichcanleadtoAlzheimer’s.Participantsusedsupervisedaerobics,treadmillsorstretchingfor45minutes,fourtimesaweek.Researcherstestedverbalrecall,decision-making,bloodtests,spinalfluidtestsandMRIbrainscansaftersixmonthsontheprogram.Afterreviewingtheresults,Dr.Bakercametotheconclusionthat,“Nocurrentlyapprovedmedicationcanrivaltheseeffects.”Herearemorevaluablefindingsaboutthebenefitofexerciseonthepreventionandtreatmentofdisease:

Exercisemaybethemostpowerfulmedicinethatpeoplecanusetopreventdisease,andthusattainalongerandhealthierlife.Wealwaysknewthis,butnowtheevidencejustbecamemuchstronger,accordingtoanarticleinTimeMagazineentitled,TheNewScienceofExercise.Dr.MarkTornopoloskyfromMcMasterUniversitywastheleadresearcherwhohasfoundthatexercisecanhelpnearlyeverypartofthebody.ConsiderthefollowingfactsfromMcMasterandothersimilarstudies:30

1. Exerciseincreasesbloodflowtothebrain,thuscreatingnewblood

vesselsandbetterabsorptionofnutrients,whichleadstoimprovedmood,reductionofpainandreductionofbraindisorders.

13

2. Exerciseimprovesheartfunction,leadingtohigherlevelsofoxygen,strongermuscles,strongerbones,betterfunctioningoforgans(lungs,skin,etc.)andreducedlevelsoftoxins.

3. Exerciseimprovescellularmetabolismbygettinginsulinreceptorsto

standup,multiplyandbecomemoresensitive.Insulinreceptorsbringinsulinandsugarintoeachcell,thushelpingcellstofunctionbetter.(Reducingcirculatingsugarandincreasingenergylevelsarekeycasualfactors).

4. Exercisemayprotecttelomeres.Thesearethelittlecapsattheendof

chromosomesthathelptodeterminehowlongwewilllive.

5. Exerciseburnscaloriesandcanhelptoshrinkfatcells,aswellasimprovemetabolism,byaidinginthedigestionprocess.Exercisehelpsmovefoodthroughourbodies.

6. Exercisebuildsmusclecells,whichburn400%morecaloriesatrestthan

fatcells.Thiscanhelptomaintainahealthyweight.

Lessthan20%ofadultsgetenoughexerciseonaregularbasis,andthisiscausingthelevelofobesityandchronicdiseasetoincreasesignificantly.Over70%ofadultsareoverweight,andover60%arechronicallyill(only10%werechronicallyill60yearsago).Exerciseisbyfarthemostpowerfulandleastcostlythingthatanyonecandoiftheywanttobecomehealthierandstaythatway.Infact,thecasecanbemadethatthelackofsufficientexercisemaybethenumberonecauseofthehighcostofhealthcareinourcountry,beyondthecostofdoctors,hospitals,prescriptiondrugsandoperations.31

SomeCommonlySharedIdeasAboutHowtoImproveYourExerciseHabits

1. Makeitaregularhabit.Scheduleyourexercisetimeeverydayifpossible.

2. Dosomethingyouenjoy,anddoitwithothers,ifpossible.

3. Includecardio,strengthandflexibilityexercises.Raiseyourheartratefor

20-30minutes.

4. Eatatrulyhealthydietwithplentyofvegetables,fruits,nuts,seeds,omegaoils,poultryandfish.Eatorganicasmuchasyoucan,andeatatleast50%ofyourplantfoodraw.

5. Avoidalcohol,sugar,saturatedfat,processedfood,friedfoodandfast

food.

14

6. Studyyourchosenexercisestoensureyouaredoingthemcorrectly.Doingexercisesthewrongwaycancauseinjury.

7. Don’toverdoit.Toomuchexercisecanstressyourorgans,yourjointsand

yourheart.

8. Makesureyourdoctoragreeswithyourexerciseprogramandthathe/sheisqualifiedtomakethatassessment.

B. Sleep

Brainchallengescancontributetothedevelopmentofmanyillnesses,includingheartdisease,diabetes,andcancer.Avastmajorityofsleepproblemsareduetofaultybrainchemistry,butthereareoftencontributingfactorsinotherpartsofthebody,suchasthedigestiveprocess,theliver,thekidneys,etc.Thisisimportantbecauseconcentratingonlyonthebrainmaynotresolvethesleepproblem.

Gettingaproperdiagnosisisthekey,andonlydoctorstrainedinholisticmedicinecanproperlydiagnosethesecomplicatedsleepissues.Theytreatthewholebody,whilemostsleepspecialiststreatonlythebrainwithrelianceonprescriptionmedications.Thiscanproduceshort-termsuccess,butnotsustainablesolutions,sincetherootcauseoftheproblemmaynothavebeenaddressed.

Assumingthatanynon-brainrelatedissueshavebeenaddressed,wecannowfixthebrain’schemistry.Sleepiscrucialtoouroverallhealthbecauseitisduringsleepthatthebrainandthebodyre-energize,detoxifyandre-balance.Forexample,itisduringsleepthatthebodyattemptstobalanceacidandalkalinityintheblood.AproperpHof7.0-7.4intheurine,uponwaking,isvitaltothehealthofeverypartofourbody.DiseasedoesnotthriveinabodywithabalancedpH.Ifyoudidnoteatenoughvegetables,andatetoomuchmeat,dairy,sugarandprocessedfoods,yourbodywillstealmineralsfromyourbonesandmusclestoachievethisbalance(i.e.magnesiumandcalcium).33

Thefollowingaresomeprovenguidelinesforachievingthe7to9hoursofundisturbedsleeprequiredbymostpeople:

Thingstoavoid:

• Alcohol–Tobacco–Caffeine–Coldmedicineslateatnight–Eatingbeforebedtime–Exerciseclosetobedtime–Eatingfoods,suchasbacon,cheese,ham,eggplant,spinach,sauerkraut,sugar,sausage,chocolate,tomatoes,wineorpotatoesclosetobedtime.Thesefoodscontainnorepinephrine,abrainstimulantthatcanimpedesleep.

Thingstoinclude:

15

• Exerciseinthelateafternoon–Hotbath1to2hoursbeforebedtime–Music–Meditation–Consistentbedtime–Eatingfoodssuchasbananas,figs,dates,nutbutters,tuna,turkey,wholegrainsandyogurt,becausethesefoodscontaintryptophan,whichisverybeneficialtogoodsleep.

Supplementsthatimprovesleep:• Calcium,magnesium,VitaminB,VitaminC,Zinc,Melatonin,5-HTP,DHEA,

Chamomile,GABACalm(anactualproductname),KavinacePM(anactualproductname)andnaturalhormonereplacement(plantbasedhormones).

Everysleepproblemcanbedifferent,sobecertaintogetaproperdiagnosisfromaHolisticMedicalDoctorandincorporatetheserecommendationsasappropriate.

C. Detoxification

Recently,amedicaldoctorappearingonnationaltelevisionstronglyproclaimedthatourbodiesaredesignedtodetoxifyandthatwedonotrequireanyspecialprogramstoremoveunwantedtoxins.Shecouldnothavebeenmorewrong,andthisactuallypointsoutaseriousflawintheeducationmostdoctorsreceive.Thefollowinglistoftoxins,andthediseasestheycause,clearlyestablishesthefactthatmanypeopleabsorbhigherlevelsoftoxinsthantheirbodiescouldeverremovewithoutsomehelp.

Toxins Thediseasecaused

• Asbestos----------------------------------------------- Lungcancer• Smoking----------------------------------------------- Lungcancer• Industrialchemicals-------------------------------- Multiplecancers• Bisphenol(BPA)------------------------------------- Breastcancer• Mercury,aluminumorlead----------------------- Braindisorders• Radiation--------------------------------------------- Breastcancer&

othercancers• Chlorine/fluoride----------------------------------- Livercancer• Saturatedfats---------------------------------------- Heartdisease

Thesetoxicsubstances,includingsomefoodsweeat,accumulateinourbodiesduetoourbody’sinabilitytoprocessthem,orremovethem,inawaythatavoidsthediseaseslistedabove.Howcananydoctordenythis?Someofthesetoxinsareactuallyadministeredbydoctorsintheformofmammograms,X-rays,CTscansandvaccines.ThatisthereasonwhymorepeopleareoptingtovisitaholisticdoctororonewhopracticesFunctionalMedicine.Thesetoxinsoccurinfood(60%),water(10%),houseandyardchemicals(10%),healthandbeautyaids(10%)andair(5%).Thecausethefollowingtypesofdamageinourbodies.

16

• Poisoningofourenzymes,whichfacilitatebiochemicalfunctions.• Displacesstructuralminerals,likecalcium,neededforbonesandbrains.• Damagetoourcellmembranes,effectingcellularentryandexit.• Alterationofgeneticfunctions,suchasdiseaseprevention.• DNAdamage,whichcausestheprogramsinourcellstodysfunction.• Blocksinsulinreceptors,causingupto20timeshigherdiabetesrisk.• Disruptshormonebalance,leadstocancerssuchasbreastandprostate• Disruptsepigeneticsleadingtoincreasedchildhoodobesity.

Thetestsforthepresenceoftoxinscanincludebloodtests,urinetests,andevensamplesofuncoloredorunpermedhair.Anytoxinsfoundcanthenbetargetedforeliminationwithaqualitydetoxificationprogram.Thiscanincludeanythingthatinvolvessweating,suchasexerciseorsauna.Theskinisthebody’ssecondmostimportantdetoxificationorganaftertheliver.Thelivercanbeassistedinitsdetoxificationeffortswiththingslikedandelionteaandtheherb,milkthistle.Thebestnaturalscience-baseddetoxificationprogramisafoodandsupplementprogramfromMetagenics.TheprogramiscalledAMedicalFoodSupplementedDetoxificationProgramintheManagementofChronicHealthProblems34,andinvolvedtenweeksofaspecialdietandacombinationsupplementpowder.Oneofthebiggesttoxicchallengesforthebraininvolvestoxinsknownasheavymetals.Thisismadeupofagroupoftoxinsincludingmercury,lead,arsenicandaluminum.Infact,mostprogressivescientistsanddoctorsnowagreethatheavymetals,pesticides,otherchemicaltoxinsandelectromagneticradiationareoneofthemaincausesofmostchronicdiseases.Gettingproperlytestedandefficientlydetoxifiedcanbeoneofthebestwaystoimprovethebody’sabilitytobothpreventandreversebrainrelatedchallenges,suchasdementiaandAlzheimer’s.35

Therearemanyfoodswithanegativenutrientimpactonthebody,includingthe

following:

SampleList

• Highfructosecornsyrup

• Margarine• Sodapop• Dietpop• Whiteflourpastries

• Baconandprocessedluncheonmeat• Donuts,piesandcakes• Hydrogenatedfat• Processedsugar• Hardliquor

Therearemanyfoodsthathaveahighnutrientvalueandgoodfordetoxification

Samplelist.

• Berries • Wheatgrass• Salmon • Spirulina• Sardines • Peppers• Beets • Beans

17

• Oliveoil • Greentea• Broccoli • Asparagus• Cauliflower • Spinach• Curry • Lentils• Kelp • Garlic• Onions • Cabbage• Apples • Cinnamon• Tomatoes • Wholeoatsandrice

Thefollowingaresupplementsthataregoodfordetoxification:

• L-glutathione• CalciumD-glucarate• VitaminE• VitA(betacarotene)SOD• NAC• Spirulina• Greenteaextract• Dandelion• Lycopene12• Inositol• Milkthistle• BetaineHCL• Selenium• Bioflavonoids• Digestiveenzymes• Bluegreenalgae

• CoQ10• VitaminB• VitaminC• Tumeric• Alphalypoicacid• MSM• Quercitine• Resveratrol• VitaminD• Zincandcopper• Wheyprotein• Polyphenols• Glycine• Molybdenum• Greendrinks• Redclover

Otherdetoxificationstrategiesinclude:

• Stressreductionviameditation,yogaandothertechniques.

• Gettingenoughrestfulsleep.

• Notoverexercising(metabolicfreeradicalproduction).

• Exercisewithsweating.

• Saunas.

• Massage.

• Reduceduseofcellphones,computers,television,etc.

• Useofsunscreensforprotectionfromsunrays.

18

• Limitalcoholandsugarintake.

• Drinkpurifiedwater(8-10glassesperday).

• Avoidprescriptiondrugs,unlessabsolutelynecessary(findnaturalalternatives).

• Eatorganicfoodsasmuchaspossible.

• Usenatural,chemical-freehouseholdproducts.

• Avoidcoffee,blackteaandchocolate(smallamountsonly).

• Avoidmeatanddairyproducts.

• Avoidfriedfoods.

• Avoidartificialfoods,sweeteners,colors,etc.

• Avoidfastfood,junkfoodandprocessedfood.

TheSpecialCaseforAluminumAluminumdeservesspecialattentionwhenitcomestoAlzheimer’sbecausetherehavebeenmanystudieslinkingthisheavymetaltothedevelopmentofthisterribledisease.

ArecentstudyentitledAluminumAdjunctInducesMotorNeuronDeathinMicehasestablishedaclearlinkbetweeninjectedaluminumandneurologicaldamageassociatedwithParkinson’sandALS.Adjunctmeanstheuseofaluminumtohelpinthebiologicaldeliveryofagents,suchasvaccines.Whenmercuryadjunctusewaschallenged,drugcompaniesbegantoincreasetheuseofaluminum,whichisturningouttobeanequallydangerousdeliveryagent.

Intheaforementionedstudy,scientistsgavesomemiceanoraldoseofaluminumandothersaninjecteddose.Theoralaluminumwasmostlyremovedvianormaldetoxificationmethods,whiletheinjectedaluminumstayedintheirbodies,causingsignificantneurologicaldamage.

Aluminumispresentincigarettesmoke,miningoperations,manufacturingprocesses,agriculture,foods(bakingsoda,babyformula,coffeecreamers,etc.),drugs(antacids,analgesics,etc.),aluminumfoil,andcosmetics.Thesesourcescancausetheaccumulationofaluminumandleadtodamageinthelungs,brainandotherorgans.However,itisvaccinesthatposethebiggestthreattoourhealth.Inthe1970’s,childrengotanaverageoffourvaccinationscontainingaluminumintheirfirst18monthsafterbirth.Now,theaveragechildreceives17suchvaccinations.Aluminumisalsousedinmanyothervaccines,includingHepatitisAandB,diphtheria,tetanusandpneumococcal.

19

Therehasbeena600%increaseinautismduringthissameperiod,anddramaticincreasesinotherchildhoodneurologicalproblems,suchasADD,ADHDanddepression.Parentsareatalossforideasaboutwhattodoaboutthisproblembecausetheyusedtohavetheoptionofavoidingthesevaccinationsforavarietyofreasons,includingreligiousexemption.Nowmorestatesaretakingawaytheseoptionsandmandatingthateverychildreceiveallofthemandatoryvaccinationsinordertoattendpublicschool.Morestudyisneeded,butwhatareconcernedparentssupposedtodointhemeantime?Theanswercomesfromahandfulofscientistsanddoctorswhohavefoundsomecreativestrategiesforhelpingchildrentoavoidthehealthrisksofaluminum.

1. Spreadvaccinationsoveralongerperiodoftimetolessenthe

concentrations.Itisalsoimportanttomakesurethenurseshakesthevaccinebottletoensurethatthealuminumisproperlydistributed.

2. Avoidoralornasalingestion,suchascigarettesmoke,aluminum

cookware,aluminumfoil,aluminumindeodorants,aluminumintoothpasteandaluminuminlineddrinkcontainers.

3. Drinksilicarichwater,suchasFiJiorVolvic,whichhelpsremoved

aluminumfromthebody.

4. Eatfoods,suchasrawfruitsandvegetables.Thesehelpthebodytodetoxify.

5. Consumeseagreens,suchaschlorella.Thishelpsremovealuminum

fromthebody.

6. Consumemelatoninandcurcuminnutritionalsupplements.Thesealsohavetheprovenabilitytohelpremovealuminumfromthebody.

ItisfairlyclearthatAlzheimer’scanbeginwithinafewyearsofbeingborn,aslongasvaccinationscontinuetousealuminumasthecarryingagentforthevaccine.Aluminumcanthencontinuetoaccumulateinthebrainfromtheothersourcespreviouslylisted.ScientistshavealsodiscoveredthataluminumincreasestheformationofAGEs(AdvancedGlycationEndProducts),asproteinsdonotinteractverywellwithsugars,especiallywhenheated.TheseAGEproteinsinduceinflammationinthebrain.ThistypeofinflammationhasnowbeenassociatedwiththeformationofbraintanglesassociatedwithAlzheimer’sdisease.Aluminummaybejustoneofthemanytoxinsassociatedwiththisbraintanglethatleadstobraincelldeath.36

D. Inflammation

Someinflammationisgoodbecauseitoccursaspartofthebody’snaturaldefensivereactiontothepresenceofgerms,bacteriaorinjuries.Whenthebodysensesthistypeoftrouble,itbeginstoreleasecytokines,histamineand

20

macrophagestoattacktheinvaders.Whentheinvaderisagermormicrobeofsomekind,thischemicalreactiondestroystheinvader,allowinghealingtooccur.However,whentheperceivedinvaderisatoxin,liketobaccoorchemicals,orevenafood,likesugarorsaturatedfat,thentheinflammationcanbecomechronicandleadtoalonglistofdiseases.Someofthesediseasesinclude:

-Alzheimer’sdisease -Dementia -Digestivedisorders-Heartdisease -Macular

degeneration-Diabetes

-Rheumatoidarthritis -Asthma -Multiplesclerosis-Cancer -Gumdisease -Lupus

Thischronicinflammationcanbegininmanydifferentways,andcanbefueledinthesameways.Someofthecommoncausesinclude:

-Lackofsleep -Smokingtobacco-Foodswithsaturatedfat -Drinkingalcohol-Foodscookedathighheat -Environmentaltoxins-Eatingrefinedflour -Eatingsimplecarbohydrates-Hormoneimbalance -Sedentarylifestyles-Digestivedisorders -CellphonesandX-rays-Excessfatcells -Mammograms

*Theobvioussolutionistoreduceandaddresseachofthesecausalfactors.

Therearealsoseveralsupplementsthathavebeenproventohaveastronganti-inflammationreactioninthebody.Theseinclude:

-VitaminC -Greentea -Bromelain-VitaminE -Curcumin -VitaminB-NAC -Carnosine -DigestiveEnzymes-Fishoil -Boswellia

Howdoyouknowifyouhaveexcessinflammation?Thereareafewkeyteststhatcanhelp;C-reactiveprotein,Interleukin6,HistamineandHomocysteine.Bygettingthesebloodtestsonaregularbasis,itispossibletokeepinflammationundercontrol.Eatinglotsofvegetablesandfruits,whileavoidingfoodslikesugars,redmeat,dairyandfriedorfastfoodcanhelptokeepinflammationlowandgreatlyreducetheriskofdiseases,suchasAlzheimer’s,andtheotherdiseasespreviouslymentioned.

TheSpecialCaseforTumericandOtherSpices/HerbsWehavejustmentionedthatcurcuminisoneoftheprovennutritionalsupplementsforthereductionofinflammation.Curcuminisderivedfromthespiceturmeric,andrecentscientificstudieshaveshownthatturmeric/curcumin

21

hasaverystronginfluenceonthebrainforthepreventionandthetreatmentofAlzheimer’s.

Inonesmallstudy,patientsweregiven100mgofcurcuminfortwelveweeksandrealizedsignificantimprovementinmeasurablesymptoms,aswellasthereductionintheuseofcaregiverservices.TheseAlzheimer’spatientsimprovedremarkablywithjusttheadditionofthecurcuminforthreemonths.37

OtherstudieshaveshownthatcurcuminhasexhibitedthefollowingprotectiveeffectsagainstAlzheimer’sdisease:

• AntiB–amyloidproteininflammation.38• Anti-oxidativeabilityinthereductionoffreeradicals.39• Neuronrestorativeabilitybydisruptingexistingplaques.40• Metal-chelatingpropertiesforironandcopper.41

ManyotherspicesandherbshavealsoexhibitedencouragingpreventativeandrestorativepropertiesforpatientswithAlzheimer’s.

-Coconutoil -Melissaoffinalis-Cocoa -Saffron-Sage -Ginkgobiloba-Resveratrol

Eachofthesenaturalsubstancesdeservesmoreresearchtodeterminewhichoneswarrantmoreattention.42

E. TheImpactofStressontheBodyandBrain(TakenfromTheEffectiveManagementofStressbyHealthyatWork_

WhatisStress?Stressisanemotionallydisruptiveorupsettingconditionoccurringinresponsetoexternalinfluences,whichiscapableofaffectingourphysicalhealthcharacterizedbyincreasedheartrate,ariseinbloodpressure,musculartensionandpossiblydepressionoranxiety.

StressandAgingScientistshavefiguredoutalinkbetweenstressandaging,andhaveproventhatstressspeedsupaging,causingpeopletoagefaster.Researchersexaminedstructuresinsidethecellscalledtelomeres.Telomeresarethecapsattheendsofchromosomes,themoleculesthatcarrygenes.Everytimeacelldivides,telomeresgetshorter.Inthenaturalagingprocess,telomereseventuallygetsoshortthatcellscannolongerdivide,andthentheydie.

22

TheSIRT1genecanhelpmaintainthestructureoftelomeres,butthisgenebecomesinactive,orlessactive,inmostpeople,especiallyastheyage.However,theremarkablecompound,Resveratrol,isabletoactivatetheSIRT1,whichcanreduceoxidativestress.WepublishedanarticleaboutResveratrolhealthbenefitsthatgoesintomoredetailofhowitcanreducetheagingprocess,alongwithitsotherbenefits.

Thescientistsfoundoutthatasmoreofthesecellsreachtheendoftheirtelomeresanddie,theprocessthenproducestheeffectsofaging.Musclesdeteriorate;skinwrinkles,eyesightandhearingfail,organsfail,andthinkingabilitiesdiminish.

Theresearchersfoundthatchronicstressacceleratedthisprocess.Theyfoundthatpeoplewhowereunderstresshaveshortertelomeres,andhigherlevelsofoxidativestress.OxidativestressisaprocesswhereharmfulfreeradicalsinthebodydamageDNA,includingtelomeres.

Theinterestingthingisthatpeople’sperceptionofhowmuchstresstheyareunderalsoaffectsthetelomeres.Theyfoundthatwomenwiththehighestperceivedstresshadtelomeresthesameassomeonethatis10yearsolder.Thesamethinggoesforoxidativestress.

Whenweare“stressedout,”wechronicallyproducethehormone,cortisol.Researchersfoundthatchronicallyelevatedlevelsofcortisoldamagethetelomeresandothergenesinthebody.Thehormonecortisolhelpedourancestorssurvivedangeroussituations,suchasattacksfromwildanimals,butnowadaysweareconsistentlystressedbyotherfactors,suchaswork,billsandrelationships.Wehavetostopandfigureoutthethingsthatarecausingstressinourlivesanddecidetoreleasethestressinhealthfulways.

SomestressreductionstrategiesSomeofthemostsuccessfulstrategiesforavoidingormanagingstressgofarbeyondthebehavioralideasjustlisted.Thefollowingaresomethathavebeenproveninpractice,aswellasscientifictests:

1. Meditation–Mediationreleaseshormones,whichcounteractthenegative

effectsofcortisol.Itlowersbloodpressureandreducesthereleaseofadrenaline,fatandsugarintothebloodstream.Itismosteffectivewhenpracticedfor10-20minutes,twiceeachday.Itcanbeveryfocused,asinspiritualmeditation,orveryinformal,asinquiettime,witheyesclosedandthoughtsfocusedonpeacefulimages.

2. Yoga–Aswithmeditation,yogapromotesregularbreathing,muscle

stretchingandfocusedthinking.Itreleasestensionandcanbepracticedatwork,athomeorinformalyogasessions.

23

3. DeepBreathing–Thesametypesofbenefitsasyogaandmeditation,usuallyintendedasatemporarypause,designedtocalmthinkingandgetmoreoxygenintothebloodstream.Onespecifictechniqueisthe4-7-8system,promotedbyDr.AndrewWeil.(4deepbreathesinuntillungsarefull;holdforcountof25,releasein8shortbreathsout.)

4. Exercise–Regularexercise,notmarathons,helpstoreleasestress.The

mindisengagedintheactivity,energyisburned,musclesareextended,oxygenissenttoallpartsofthebody,positivehormonesarereleasedandthedigestiveprocessisstimulated.

5. Visioning–Somepeopleareabletovisualizeastressmeter,whichthey

canlowerwithconcentration.Thisishoweasternreligiousleadersareabletoreducetheirheartbeatandwithstandvarioustypesofphysicalpain.Theresultsareverysimilartomeditation.Oneoftheprogramsweusewithourclientsiscalledheartmath,wherecomputerscreenimagescanbealteredusingmindcontrolandbiofeedback.

6. EmotionalReleaseTechniques–Varioustechniquesforreleasing

emotionshavebeenintroducedovertheyears.Theseincludedollsthatarepunched,primalscreamingrooms,pillowfightsorothersimilartechniques.Itisbetternottoholdinemotions,buttoletthemoutinacceptableways.

7. Aromatherapy–Thisveryoldpracticeinvolvesbreathinginthe

fragranceofvariousdistilledoils,suchaslavender.Thesefragranceshaveacalmingeffectonthebody.Infact,therearedifferentfragrancesthatareknowntobeeffectiveonvariousemotionalconditionsandpartsofthebody.

8. Massage–Manycompaniesactuallybringinmassagetherapiststo

providestress-reducingmassagestotheiremployees.Massagerelaxesmuscles,removestoxinsfromourlymphglandsandinducesthereleaseofpositivehormones,whichhelppromotegoodhealth.Circulationisalsoimproved.

9. DietaryFactors–Somefoodsarenothelpfulintermsofstresscontrol.

Theyinclude:

-Processedfoods -Eggs-Softdrinks -Friedfoods-Chocolate -Junkfoods-Dairyproducts -Redmeatandpork

24

10. Supplements–Thefollowingvitaminsandmineralsarealsoknowntohelpavoidandrelievestress.

- VitaminC–500mg–1,000mgdependingonvariousfactors.- Bvitamins–Thefullrange,withextrainositol.- Calcium–1,500mg/day- Magnesium–1,000mg/day- Zinc–30-50mg/day- Aminoacids- Betacarotene–asdirectedonthelabel- Potassium&selenium–asdirectedonlabel- VitaminE–400iu./day- Hormones–aspersalivaandbloodtests- Lecithin- Omega3–1000-2000mg/day- CoQ10–100mg/day

11. Herbs–Someherbsalsohelpwithstress.

-Kava-kava(somecautions) -Passionflower-Valerian -Melatonin-Ashwagandha -Chamomile-Skullcap -Catnip-Bilberry -St.John’sWort

12. OtherStressReducers

-Music -Hobbies-Pets -Spirituality-Sex -Volunteering-Humor -Timeoff -TimeManagement -Musclestretching/relaxation-Biofeedback -Hypnosis.

F. DrugsthatcanCauseDementia/Alzheimer’s,andDrugsthatcanHelp

Manyprescriptionmedicationshavesideeffects,nottheleastofwhichisthedepletionofsomevitalnutrientsneededbythebrain.

However,therearesomedrugsthathavebeenshowntodirectlycontributetodementiaandAlzheimer’s.Thesedrugsshouldbeusedwithextremecaution,andwhenpossible,safenaturalalternativesshouldbefound.Themostseriousoffenders:

1. Valium(Diazepam)andallanxietyloweringdrugsclassifiedas

Benzodiazepines,canimpairmemoryinmiddle-agedandolderpeople.

25

2. BenadrylorSominexforallergiesandinsomniahavebeenshowntocausememorylosssideeffects.Theycanblockneurotransmittersthatareimportantforlearningandrecall.Therearesafeandnaturalalternativesavailable.

3. Drugstotreathypothyroidismcanpotentiallyimpairmemoryandcause

confusionandirritability.Sometimesitispossibletotakethelowestpossibledoseofthesemedications,suchasAmourorSynthroid,andthenutilizeamorenaturalsupplement,suchasTripleActionThyroidfromLifeExtension.

4. Drugs,suchasprednisoneorcorticosteroidsarealsoknowntodisrupt

memory.Thesedrugsareoftenusedtobalancefemalehormonesandfightinflammationinvariouspartsofthebody.Naturalalternativesareavailableandarejustaseffectivewithlessnegativesideeffects.

Mostconventionalphysicianswillnotbefamiliarwiththeimpactofthesemedicationsonthebrain.ThisiswhyitismuchbettertouseaholisticmedicaldoctorforthepreventionandtreatmentofdementiaorAlzheimer’s.Aholisticneurologistwouldbeevenbetter.

DrugsthatcanhelpTherearethreedrugsknownaschololinergicdrugsthatcanhelpwiththesymptomsofAlzheimer’s.ThisclassofdrugworksbecauseAlzheimer’spatientsareusuallydeficientinacetylcholine,averyimportantneurotransmitterforthebrain.Thethreeprescriptionmedicationsinthiscategory,withtheleastnegativesideeffectsare:

1. Donepezil(Aricept)2. Rivastigmine(Exelon)3. Galantamine(Razadyne)

Thesedrugsimprovememoryandthinking,aswellasreduceagitationanddepression.Thishelpsboththepatient,aswellasfamilymembersandcaregivers.ItshouldbenotedthatastudybytheClevelandClinicof244drugstestedforAlzheimer’sreportedafailureratioof99.6%.Thosethatdidnotfailhadaveryminimalimpact.43

VII. Alzheimer’sEarlyWarningPanel

MostofthediagnostictoolsrelatedtoAlzheimer’sareintendedtoidentifythosepeoplewhoarealreadyshowingsomesignsofmemoryloss.Thesetestsareintendedtodetermineiftheindividualbeingdiagnosedisonarecognizedpathtowardsthisillness,sothatitcanbeproperlydiagnosed.

26

Thefollowingpaneloftestsiscompletelydifferentbecauseitisintendedtoidentifythe“earlywarning”signsandsignalsthatcanindicatethatapersonmightsomedaybeanAlzheimer’spatient.Thesetestsaremarkersforchangesinthebodythatare“pre-Alzheimer’s”indicatorsthatcanthenallowthedoctorandthepatienttotakestepstopreventthedisease.Allofthesetestshavescientificandmedicalmerit,aswellascorrespondingpreventativetreatmentprotocolsthatcanbefollowed.Eachonewillnowbebrieflydescribed,alongwiththebasicpreventionideas.

1. Homocysteine–Homocysteineisaproteinthatindicatesalowlevelof

vitaminB6,B12andfolicacid.Itisoftencausedbytheoverconsumptionofmeat,dairyandsugarandcontributestoheartdiseaseandotherillnesses.VitaminB6,B12andfolicacidarecrucialtothecreationofhormonesandneurotransmitters,whichmeansadeficiencyinthesenutrientscancontributetobrainrelatedillnesses,suchasdementiaandAlzheimer’s.

2. C-reactiveprotein–Thisisabloodmarkerforinflammationandindicatesthatthebodyhasalreadybeguntheearlystageofcellulardeterioration.Highlevelsofc-reactiveproteinisanearlywarningsignforheartdisease,strokeandotherbrain-relatedproblems.

3. Glucosetolerancetest–Thisisthebesttestfordiabetesbecauseitcanindicatethebeginningofinsulinresistanceatthecellularlevel,aswellasweakeningofthepancreas.Itcanaccuratelypredictthisweaknessfivetosevenyearsbeforeothertests,suchastheTotalGlucoseTestortheAICtest.ItisalsoimportantfortheearlywarningsignsfordementiaandAlzheimer’s,sincesugarlevelsarenowclearlyidentifiedwiththeseillnesses.SomedoctorsareevenbeginningtocallAlzheimer’s“Type3diabetes.”

4. NeurotransmitterTest–Thistestcanbeasalivaorurinetestandtheaccuracy,ineithercase,isnotgoodenoughtobeusedindependently,withoutothertests.Itcanprovidesomeindicationofthelevelofkeyneurotransmitters,suchasserotonin,dopamine,GABAandacetylcholine,whichhasbeenassociatedwithAlzheimer’s.Anyresultsshouldbeverifiedbyothertests,suchasthepresenceofsymptomsrelatedtodeficienciesofthesekeyneurotransmitters.

5. Heavymetalstest–Thisisabloodtestthatdeterminestheexistinglevelof

heavymetals,suchasmercury,lead,arsenic,cadmium,chromiumandevenaluminum.Theseheavymetalsareserioustoxinsthatcreatefreeradicaldamageinourorgans,includingthebrain.Somedoctorsalsousehairtestingtodeterminelevelsofheavymetals.Aluminumisparticularlyimportantbecausepost-mortemtestsusuallyindicatehighlevelsofaluminuminAlzheimer’spatients.Thereareseveraleffectivewaystoeliminatetheseheavymetals,whichwillbediscussedlaterinthisarticle.

27

6. Acid-AlkalinepHtest–Thisisasomewhatcontroversialtestbecausemanyconventionaldoctorsdonotfeelthatitisanaccuratemeasureofgoodorbadhealth.MostFunctionalorNaturalDoctorsdisagreeandusethistestfrequently.Manyillnesseshavebeentracedtohighacidlevels,whichisusuallytestedintheurinebeforedrinkingoreatinganything.Thedesiredlevelonaurinetestshouldbe7.0to7.4onthe14-pointscale.Bloodtestsarealsoused,althoughthebloodhasatendencytobalancepHaspartofthenaturalhomeostasisprocess.Highacidlevelsarecausedbytheconsumptionofmeat,dairy,sugarandnearlyallfried,processedorfastfood.Higherlevelsofalkalinityarecreatedbytheconsumptionoflowsugarvegetablesandfruitsduetothehighlevelsofmineralspresent.

7. Oxygentest–Circulatingoxygencanbemeasuredbyafingeroxygenmeter.Oxygeniscrucialtothefunctioningofallcells,duetotheproductionofenergyinthemitochondriawhenoxygenandglucosearecombined.Ifoxygenlevelsarelow,thenthemitochondriadonotproduceenoughenergyandcellsarenotabletodothejobstheyareassignedtodo.Thesefingermetersusea100-pointscaleandthedesiredlevelisfrom96to100.Asthelevelofoxygendrops,theseriousnessofthecellularchallengeincreases.Circulatoryrestrictionisusuallytheprimarycauseofreducedoxygenlevels.

8. APOE–4genetest–Thisisabloodtestforageneticmarker,whichhasbeen

associatedwithAlzheimer’sformanyyears.Asisthecasewithmanygenetictests,theAPOE–4testisnotanabsolutepredictorforAlzheimer’s.Rather,itrecognizesapotentialforthisillnessbecauseitmarksthebody’stendencytogeneratehigherthanaveragelevelsofcholesterolandtriglycerides.ManydoctorsarenotusingthistestduetoitslackofaccuracyinpredictingAlzheimer’s,althoughitmayhelptoexplainhighlevelsofcholesterolandtriglycerides,thusallowingthedoctortomakebetterdecisionsabouthowtodealwiththesehighlevels.

9. OligomersProteinTest–Thisbloodtestmeasuresthelevelofaspecific

proteincalledOligomerProtein.Thisproteinhasbeenshowntobeaprecursor,orbuildingblock,tothedevelopmentofamyloidplaque,oftenfoundinAlzheimer’spatients.Gligomersproteinhasatoxicimpactonbraincellsandisassociatedwiththe“tautangles”inthebrain,associatedwithmemorydecline.ItisnotyetclearifthistestisaccurateasanearlywarningsignforAlzheimer’s.

10. ThePeanutButterTest–ThistestwasdevelopedbyUniversityofFloridaresearchers,whosuspectedthatsmellsensitivitycouldbeanearlywarningsignoffutureAlzheimer’s.Usingpeanutbutter,patientsweretestedbyplacingpeanutbutteruptotheleftandthentherightnostril.ThosethathadbeendiagnosedwithprobableAlzheimer’sneededtohavethepeanutbutter10centimeterscloserwiththeleftnostrilthanwiththerightnostril.Thistest

28

couldbepartoftheearlywarningtestpaneltoindicatethepossibilityforAlzheimer’ssometimeinthefuture.

VIII. ANaturalStrategyforPreventingandTreatingAlzheimer’sThefollowingsectionofthisarticleisanattempttosummarizethestrategicideasthathavebeenpresented.Theinformationhasbeencompiledfromoverseveralbooksandarticleswrittenoverthelastfifteenyearsandrepresentingnearly4,000pageofresearchandover1,000scientificreferences.Thegoalistosummarizethesefindingsinordertomaketheinformationeasiertoreadanduseforinterestedhealthpractitioners,individualsandfamilymembers.Anefforthasbeenmadetoincludealloftheinformationthatrepresentsacompleteoverviewofthescientificevidenceavailabletodateonthisimportanttopic.HopefullyitrepresentsalloftherecommendationsnecessarytoachievetheoptimumlevelofpreventionandtreatmentinformationonthepreventionofdementiaandAlzheimer’s.

A. Generalnutritionalguidelines–Nutritionseemstobethenumberonecausal

factorforAlzheimer’s,aswellasthenumberonepreventionandtreatmentfactor.IfsomeoneisreallyinterestedinpreventingortreatingAlzheimer’s,thentheyneedtoconsideradopting“theperfectdiet.”Thereareseveralself-assessmenttoolsincludedinthisarticletoserveasaguideforthisquestfor“theperfectdiet.”Herearesomespecificideas:

- Vegetables–Tenservings/daywithmoregreenthananyothercolor,but

withatruemixtureofcolorsalso.

- Fruits–Lowsugarwithhighnutrientcontent.SeetheFoodValueChart.

- Nuts–Especiallywalnuts,almonds,pecansandBrazilnuts.

- Seeds–Pumpkin,flax,chia,sesameseeds.

- Wholegrains–Millet,rice,quinoa,ryeandaslittlewholewheataspossible.(2-3servingsofgraineachdaymaximum).

- Fish–Concentrateonhighomegafish,suchassalmon,herringand

sardines,somedeepwaterwhitefishisokay.

- Poultry–Organicchickenandturkey.Proteinisimportant,butmostpeopleonlyneed4-6ouncesdaily.Proteinpowderisanexcellentoptionwithwhey,rice,eggorvegetableproteindesired.

- Oils–Specificallyoliveoil,avocadooil,coconutandMRCoilarethebest

choices.

- Eggs–Uptotwoeggsperweeksoftboiledorpoachedtooptimizenutrientabsorption.

29

Usethenutritionalassessmenttoolstodetermineanyspecificfoodsrequiredandremembertoeatorganicfoodsasmuchaspossible.Eatatleastfiftypercentofallvegetablesandfruitsraw.Lightlysteamorbakevegetablesinordertoreducenutrientloss.Also,rememberthatanyfoodsconsumedthathavealownutrientvaluewillcausecellstobecomestressedorchallenged.Thebrainconsumesmorecaloriesandnutrientsthananyotherorganinthebody.Ifsomeoneconsumessugar,alcohol,saturatedfatorotherlownutrientfoods,thenthebraingetslessofwhatitneeds.It’sallaboutchoice.

B. Puttingnutrientstoworkinthebrain–Theaforementionednutritional

assessmenttoolsincludedassessmentsdesignedtorecognizewhenthebrainisinneedofmorenutrients.Somepeoplemayneedmorenutrientsofaspecifictypeduetotheirgeneticsorbodychemistry.Othersmayneedmorenutrientsbasedontheirsituation,suchaswhenexercisingortryingtohaveababy.

1. StartbyadoptingtheOptimumDailyAllowancelevelsandnotthe

RecommendedDailyAllowancelevels,whicharefartoolow.

2. UsetheBrainFoodCheckinordertoidentifyanypossibledeficienciesinthefivefoodcategoriesforgoodbrainhealth.

3. UsetheNeurotransmitterDevelopmentFormulatoensureyouaregettingthecorrectcombinationofingredientstooptimizeneurotransmittercreation.

4. UsetheOptimumNutritionSurveyinordertodetermineifthereareanydeficienciesintheseventeennutrientstestedbywayofsymptoms.

5. Considerusingothertests,suchasgenetictests,bloodpanels,salivaorurineanalysisinordertoidentifyanychangesthatmightbeneededinhormonelevels,suchasthethyroid,reproductivehormonesorneurotransmitters.

Aftermatchingyourassessednutrientneeds,itmaybenecessarytoconsiderusingnutritionalsupplementsinordertofillanyspecificdeficiencies.BestnutritionalsupplementsfordementiaandAlzheimer’sTherearewelloverthirtynutritionalsupplementsthathaveproventobeeffectiveinbrainrelatedchallenges,andspecificallythoserelatedtodementiaandAlzheimer’s.Thisisapartiallistofthemostfrequentlylistedsupplementsinscientificstudies:

1.Curcumin 10.AcetylL-carntine2.Phosphatidylserine 11.Alphalipoicacid

30

3.Omega3fishoils 12.Ginkgobiloba4.VitaminBcomplex5.VitaminD3

13.Magnesiumglycinate14.Coconutoil

6.Co-enzymeQ10 15.Zinc7.VitaminC 16.Aminoacids8.VitaminE 17.Lithiumoronate9.Astaxanthin 18.N-acetylcysteine

Therearealsosomenutritionalsupplementsthatmightbeconsideredashelpersbecausetheyfunctioninspecificwaystohelpincertainsituations.

1. Multiplevitaminsandminerals–Thissupplementishelpfulbecauseitcan

providesomeofthetracevitaminsandmineralsthatmaybemissinginourdiet.

2. Hormones–Hormonescanplayakeyroleinbrainhealthandany

deficienciesshouldbeaddressedwithplantbasedhormonesources,ifpossible.

3. Silica–Silicaisusedtohelpdetoxifyaluminum,whichcanaccumulateinthe

brainandcontributetodementiaandAlzheimer’s.Vaccinationsareagrowingsourceofaluminumsinceitisusedasacarryingagentformanyvaccines.Also,aluminumfromvaccinesisoneofthemoredifficultsourcesofaluminumtoremovefromthebrain.WaterwithhighlevelsofsilicaareFijiandVolvic.Silicacanalsobetakenasasupplement.

4. Chlorella/Spirulina–Theseoceanalgaecanprovideanexcellentmethodof

detoxifyingheavymetals,especiallymercury,whichcanalsoaccumulateinthebrainfromvaccinations.Anothereffectivewaytoeliminate,orchelatetheseheavymetalsiswithintravenoustreatmentofEDTA.Thistherapyhasbeenproveneffectiveintheremovalofheavymetalsinseveralscientificstudies.44

5. Digestiveenzymes–Enzymesareneededasweageduetonormal

reductions.Cookedmealsareespeciallyimportant,sincecookingdestroysallenzymes.Thesameistrueforprobiotics.

Itisalsoimportanttoknowthatallnutritionalsupplementsarenotcreatedequally.Herearesomesuggestionsbasedongoodscientificevidence:

• Curcumin–AgoodformisknownasPC95andblackpepperisknownto

increasecurcumin’seffectiveness.

• Omega3oil–Krilloilisoftenthoughtofasthebestformofthisnutrient.Liquidformtoensurenaturalsource,asopposedtosynthetic.

31

• VitaminD3–Useliquidgelcapformandmaintainabloodlevelof50ng/ml.

Thismayrequirelevelsof10,000IUormoredailysincesomepeoplehavedifficultywithabsorptionofvitaminD3.

• VitaminC–Usenaturalplantbasedsourceifpossible.Includebioflavonoids

forbetterabsorption.EsterCtypealsohelpswithtimerelease.

• VitaminE–Ensureallfourtocopherolsareincluded,alpha,beta,gammaanddelta.Thisisknownasmixedtocopherolsandliquidformisbest.

• Co-enzymeQ10–Useubiquinolform,whichisthemosteffectiveform.Liquid

formonly.

• Aminoacids–Usepre-digestedformsofwhey,rice,eggorplantproteininpowderform.

• VitaminB12–Thisvitaminshouldbetakeninsublingualformorasaskin

creamformduetodifficultyinabsorption.

Dosagewillvaryfrompersontoperson,buttherearesomerecommendedlevelsfortheeffectivepreventionofmostchronicillnesses:

• Curcumin 500–750mg• Phosphatidylserine 300mg• Omega3 1000mgDHA• VitaminBcomplex 100level• VitaminD3 1000-2000IU• Co-enzymeQ10 100–300mg-splitdoses• VitaminC 1000–2000mg-splitdoses• VitaminE 400IU• AcetylL-carnitine 500-1500mgsplitdoses• Alphalipoicacid 200mg• Ginkgobiloba 120mg–splitdoses• Magnesiumglycinate 400–800mg• Coconutoil 1000–2000mg• Zinc 30–50mg• Aminoacid 30–50gpowder• Lithiumorotate Asdirectedbydoctor• Astaxanthin 4mg• N-AcetylL-Cysteine 600mg

Thesedosagesrepresenttotaloptimalinputfromallsources.Therefore,itisveryimportanttohaveagoodidearegardingtheamountbeingconsumedfromallfood

32

sourcesasabeginningpoint.Thennutritionalsupplementsshouldbeaddedasneededuntilallmeasurementsorsymptomsaresatisfied.Rememberthatcookingcandepletenutrientlevelsfrom20to80%,dependingonthetypeofcookinginvolved.Herearesomefinalguidelinesregardingnutritionalsupplements

• Nearlyallsupplementsshouldbetakenwithmealsandbespreadoutthroughtheday.

• Supplementsshouldbegenerallyconsumedwithfoodsourcesofthose

nutrients,ifpossible.Forexample,vitaminCshouldbetakenwithfruitsorvegetables.Fishoilshouldbetakenwithfishorotheroilbasedfoods.Magnesiumandcalciumshouldbetakenwithdarkgreenvegetables,whichismuchbetterthantakingthemwithmilkproducts.

• Supplementsshouldbepurchasedfromreputablecompanies,whoconduct

theirownresearchandhavestudiesprovingtheireffectiveness.SomecompaniestoconsiderareGardenofLife,Metagenics,DouglasLabsandLifeExtension.

• ItisagoodideatoconsultwithaHolisticorFunctionalMedicineDoctorin

ordertobecertainthatsupplementsarecompatiblewithallotherhealthimprovementstrategiesbeingutilized.

C. Non-nutritionalfactors-Eachofthesefactorswasconsideredfairlythoroughlyinearlysections.However,hereareafewcaveatsworthmentioning:

1. Exercise–Itisespeciallyimportanttofollowsomebasicguidelinesforthe

bestresultsfromexercise.

a.Consumesomecomplexcarbohydratesbeforeexercise,especiallyformoreintenseforms.

b.Consumeextramagnesiumduringexercisebecauseitisneededbythe

musclestokeepinsulinandglucosegoingintothecells. c.ConsumeextravitaminCduringandafterexercisebecausefreeradical

levelsareincreasedandneedtobeneutralizedbycirculatingvitaminC. d.Afterintenseexercise,consumeadrinkwithaminoacidpowderandB

vitaminstoensureoptimalrepairofmusclesthathavebeenchallenged.

2. Brainexercise–Reviewthebrainexerciseprogramsreviewedinthisarticleandselectthebestoneswithinputfromfriends,familyandhealthpractitioners.Astheyareused,anddeterminedtobeeffective,trytofind

33

programsthatcanleadthepatienttoevenhigherlevelsofself-sufficiencyandhealthimprovement.

3. Sleep–Thegeneralguidelinesinthisarticleareagoodstartingpoint.

However,ifsleepchallengescontinue,itmaybenecessarytodigalittledeeperintotheproblem.Considerthefollowingpossibilities:

• VitaminBiscrucialtothesleepprocess,especiallyvitaminB6,B12and

folicacid.Thesearethemethylatorsthatbreakdownaminoacidstomakehormonesandneurotransmitters.InadditiontotakingavitaminBcomplexwiththeeveningmeal,itmaybebeneficialtotakeanadditionaldoseofB6,B12andfolicacidbeyondtheBcomplexsupplement.

VitaminB12shouldbetakensublingually(underthetongue)orasaskincream,sinceoraldosesaremostlydestroyedinthedigestiveprocess.DoublingtheBcomplexmayalsobehelpful,andremembertotakeitwiththeeveningmeal.

• Noteatingverymuchafterdinnershouldhelp.Digestingfoodbeforebedtimetakesbloodsupplyawayfromthebrainandintothestomach.Notdrinkinganythingwithcaffeine,alcoholorsugartwohoursbeforesleepcanalsohelp.

• Thereareaudiotapesthatcanhelpcalmthebrainbeforesleeping.

Meditationisalsohelpfulforrelaxingthe“busybrain.”

• Gettingasmuchsleepbeforemidnightcanhelpbecausesomeresearchindicatesthatthesehoursareactuallymorebeneficialthanthehoursaftermidnight.

• TheextraBvitaminsmayalsobehelpfulinreducingstressand

cortisollevels,whichcanalsodisruptsleeppatterns.

• SomeresearchalsoindicatesthattakingsomevitaminB12uponwakingcanhelptoestablishastrongerandmoreconcisesleepcyclebygettingthebodiesattentionaboutwhenenergyisneededtostarttheday.

• Finally,itmaybehelpfultotryanewtestforexisting

neurotransmitterlevels.Thisisasalivatest,andwhileitisnottotallyreliable,insomecasesitcanbeveryhelpfulforsomepeople.ThepreviousmentionedOptimalNutritionSurvey(AppendixIV)canalsobeusefulintheidentificationofsymptomsrelatedtosleepproblemsandtheadditionalnutrientsthatmaybeneeded.

34

4. Detoxification–Theinformationinthisarticleondetoxificationisfairly

complete.Ifyouhavehadacompletebatteryofteststodetermineyourleveloftoxicity,thenitisimportanttoworkwithaqualifiedphysiciantodeterminethebestwaytoreduce,andhopefullyeliminatethesetoxins.

• InAppendixVII,youwillfindacompletelistoffoodsthathelpto

detoxifythebody.Therearetwentyfoodsonthislist,andeachonehasveryspecificdetoxificationproperties.Trytoincorporateasmanyofthesefoodsaspossibleintoyourdailyeatingplan.

• AppendixVIIIprovidesalistofthebestnutritionalsupplementsfor

detoxification.Youshouldincorporatethesupplementsappropriateforyourspecificdetoxificationneedsincooperationwithanutritionistandyourholisticphysician.

• TheMetagenicsdetoxificationprogramisdefinitelyagoodwayto

incorporatethebestfoodsandthebestsupplementsintoascientificallyprovendetoxificationstrategy.PleaseseethearticleandassessmenttoolusedforthisprograminAppendixIX.

• HopefullyyourdoctorisfamiliarwithIntravenousTherapy.Thiscan

beaveryeffectivewaytoridthebodyofavarietyoftoxins.SomeofthemosteffectiveIVtreatmentsincludehydrogenperoxidetherapy,EDTAChelationTherapyforheavymetals,glutathionetherapytoincreaseantioxidantlevelsandvitaminCtherapyforantioxidanttherapyandtherepairofcellsdamagedbytoxins.

• Therearemanygooddetoxificationteasavailableforongoing

removaloftoxinsinaslowandsteadyway.

• ApplecidervinegarishelpfulformanypeopleandagoodproductisLiverComplete.Thiscompanymakesanumberofsimilarproducts,suchasKidneyComplete,GallBladderCompleteandUrinaryComplete.Besuretocheckwithyourdoctoraboutusingtheseproductsandhaveregularteststoensureyourorgansaretoleratingthenutrientsbeingused.

• Rememberthattheliverandtheskinarethetwomostimportant

detoxificationorgans,andgivethemthespecialattentiontheydeserve.

5. Inflammation–Inflammationhasbeencoveredfairlyextensivelyearlierin

thisarticle.Inflammationcomefrommanysources,butaquicksummaryshowstheprimarystrategiestobe:

35

• GettingtestedtodetermineyourlevelofC-reactiveprotein,

homocysteineandotherinflammationmarkerslisted.

• Addressingtherootcausesmentionedabove,asrecommendedthroughoutthisarticle.

• Takingthenaturalanti-inflammatorynutritionalsupplements

recommendedbyyourholisticphysician.

• Trackingyourprogresstodeterminehowmuchtokeepinyouranti-inflammatoryprogram.

Themostdifficultpartofanycomprehensivelifestylechangeisgettingstartedandsortingouttheoptionsthatarethebestforyou.Afterthat,themaintenancecomponentwillbecomeeasierwitheachpassingday.

6. Stress–Thestresscomponentofthisarticleisveryextensive.Itmightbeworthmentioningagainthatoneoftheonlywaystoaccuratelymeasureyourlevelofstressisthelevelofcortisolinyourbody.Astressfulincidentcanincreasecortisollevelsfortwohoursormoreandyourbodytreatsthisasamajortoxicandinflammatoryassault.

Itcouldbeveryhelpfultoensurethatyourdoctorisusingahighqualityhormonetestofyoursalivainordertogetanaccuratepictureofyourcortisollevels.Stressisveryhardonyouradrenalglandssospecialtestsofyouradrenalsmightalsobeinorder.Chronicstresscanleadtochronicadrenalfatigue,whichcanchallengeallofthesmallglandsincludedintheHypothalamic-pituitaryadrenalaxis.(HPAAxis)Theseendocrineglandscaninfluencemanybodilyfunctions,suchasdigestion,mood,sexualityandoverallbrainfunction.Foranyonewhoscorednegativelyonthewrittenstresssurveysandthebasiccortisolhormonepanel,itisprobablyagoodideatodoacompleteworkuponthetestsassociatedwiththejustmentionedHRAAxis.

7. FreeRadicals–Thepreviouslyreviewedtopicsofdetoxificationandinflammationareverycloselyrelatedtothetopicoffreeradicals.Freeradicalsaresimplyanotherwaytoexplainhowtheybodyreactsinthepresenceoftoxinsinthebody.Thesetoxinsbecomefreeradicalsinthebody,whichmeansthetoxicmoleculesaremissinganelectron.Thesefreeradicalstrytostealanelectronfromourhealthycells,whichbeginsthediseaseprocess.

36

Whenthesecellsstealthiselectroninoneofourarteries,orthesmallcapillariesinthebrain,theliversendscholesterolasapatchingagent.Thisbeginstheformationofplaque,leadingtoheartdisease,strokeordementiaandAlzheimer’sdisease.

8. Drugs–ThesectiononthedrugsthatcanbothcauseandtreatAlzheimer’sisverystraightforward.AgoodHolisticNeurologistshouldbeabletohelpanyonetodecidetherisksandbenefitsinvolvedintheuseofthesedrugs.

IX. Implementationsuggestions

Understandinganynewconceptorprogramisusuallyrelativelyeasycomparedtotheactualimplementationprocess.Herearesomeguidelinesandsuggestionstoassistwiththisimplementationprocess.1. DevelopaPersonalImprovementPlan-UseAppendixXVIItodevelopa

personalplanbasedonalloftheevaluationsyouhavecompletedalongwithalloftheinformationavailableinthishandout.Establishingmanageableprioritiesisveryimportant,especiallybecausetherewassomuchinformationprovided.Theplanitselfmayseemintimidating,howeverafterafewweeksofworkingonthelifestylechangesin“yourplan”itshouldbecomeincreasinglyeasiertofollowtheplanwithoutthinkingaboutittoomuch.Youmayevenwanttomakeyourselfsomenotesorlittlesignsasareminderofwhyyouaredoingthis,suchas:

• IwanttoensurethatIretainallofthewonderfulmemoriesI

haveexperienced.• IwanttoremembermychildrenandgrandchildrensoIcan

enjoythemforaslongasIpossiblycan.• IwanttolivealongandhealthylifesothatIamnotseenasa

burdentomyfamily,friendsandcolleagues.• Iwanttobeabletocontinuetolearnnewthingsandtake

advantageofallofthemanythingsthatlifehastooffer.• Idonottojeopardizemyfamily’sfinancesandtakeawayfrom

otherprioritiesthatareimportanttomychildrenandgrandchildren.

2. Usetheself-helpapproachtohealth-UseAppendixXVIIItobetter

understandandutilizetheself-helpapproachtohealthimprovement.DoctorsandotherhealthpractitionersareveryvaluableassetsthatshouldbeusedasmuchasIneedthem.However,inthefinalanalysiseachpersonisinchargeoftheirownhealthandshouldnevergiveupthisresponsibilitytosomeoneone,ifpossible.Byreviewingthisself-helparticle,Icandeterminewhatmycurrent

37

levelofself-helpisandthentakethestepsnecessarytomoveinthedirectofbeingmoreself-reliant.

3. Costeffectivefoodstrategies-Thegeneralperceptionisthathealthyfoods

costmorethanlesshealthyfoods.However,thisdoesnotneedtobethecase,andseveralstudieshaveshownthatitispossibletoeataveryhealthydietwithoutgoingoverthenormalfoodbudgetformostfamilies.InAppendixXVIIIthesearemanyideasonhowtoaccomplishthiscost-effectivefoodstrategy.Forexample,itispossibletoeatorganicvegetablesfromthefrozenfooddepartmentinthegrocerystore.Frozenvegetablesretaintheirnutritionalvalueevenbetterthanfreshvegetablesthathavetraveledalongdistanceorbeeninthestoretoolong.Buyinbulkisalsoaverygoodstrategy.UsetheideasinAppendixXIXtohelpreducethecostofthefoodrecommendedinthisprogram.

4. Affordablesupplementstrategies-Nutritionalsupplementsmaybethe

biggestfinancialchallengeofallforsomeoneusingthisprogram.Thisiswheretheinternetcomesin.UseAppendixXXtofindwebsitesofferingdeepdiscountsonqualitysupplements.Thesites,aswellasthequalitybrandsareincludedinthisAppendix.

X. Somefinalthoughts

ThisisaverycomprehensiveAlzheimer’spreventionprogram,basedonthebestavailablescienceandtreatmentprotocolsfromprogressivedoctorsacrossNorthAmerica.Thereareslightvariationsinthefindingsoftheseexperts,howeverforthemostpartthereisaverystrongconsensusaboutwhatworksandwhatdoesnotwork,especiallyfordoctorswhofocusonnaturalorfunctionalmedicine.Thisevidence,andtheprotocolsarebeingusedbythousandsofpatientstodiagnoseAlzheimer’sanddementiaasearlyaspossible,andthenusethisscientificknowledgetominimizetheadvancementofthecommonsignsandsymptomsoftheseseriousillnesses.

PatientcomplianceisalwaysacommonconcernwhentreatinganychronicdiseaseandthisiscertainlythecasewiththethousandsofpeoplebeingtreatedforAlzheimer’sanddementiausingtheseprimarilynaturalapproaches.However,theredefinitelyseemstobeaconsensusemergingthatthereisadirectcorrelationbetweenthelevelofpatientcomplianceandthelevelofsuccessbeingrealized.Inoneofthelandmarkstudiesontenpatients,Dr.DaleBredesenandhisteamwereabletoachievea90%successrateinamatterofmonthsoneveryknownmeasureforimprovement.Thissuccesshasbeensustainedforovertwoyears,whichisalsoaveryimpressiveresult.And,accordingtothedocumentedfindingsofthisstudytherewasnotcompletecomplianceintheinitialstudyandevenlesscomplianceinthefollow-upperiod.Thisbodeswellforfuturepatientsandmayalsoindicatethattheremaybeevenmoreimpressiveresultspossibleinthefutureifbettercomplianceratescanbeachieved.

38

Thesuccessofthisnaturalapproachhasbeenmadepossiblebytherealizationthatchronicdiseaseisnotcausedbyoneprobleminthebody,butbymanyproblemsthatneedtobeaddressedbyacombinationapproach.TheClevelandClinicconductedastudyofallrecentdrugapproachestotreatingAlzheimer’sanddementia,andfoundthattheywereunsuccessful99.6%ofthetime.Infact,noneofthemofferedverymuchimprovementatall.Dr.Bredesen’sprotocolfound36differentfactorsthatneededtobeaddressedandwhenhedidthatiswhenhewasabletoachievethe90%successratefortheveryfirsttime.Whilethiswasasmallstudy,itisencouragingtonotethathundredsofpeoplehavenowbeenabletoachievesimilarresults,atleastwithmildtomoderatelevelsofAlzheimer’sanddementia.Itseemslikescienceandmedicinearemovingintherightdirection.ItisourhopethatsharingthisinformationnowwillhelpthousandsofpeopletousethisprogramtobothpreventfuturecasesofAlzheimer’sanddementia,aswellasimprovethetreatmentprogramstoslowtheadvanceoftheseseriousillnesses.Basedonthetrackrecordofothertreatmentprogramsthereisnothingtoloseandalottobepotentiallygainedbyfollowingthisencouragingpath.(SeeAppendixXXIforasummaryofDr.Bredesen’sbook)

39

Footnotes

1. Bland, J. S. with Benum, S. H. (1998) Genetic Nutritioneering. Los Angeles, California: Keats Publishing (pp. 63-66)

2. Holford, P. (2003) Optimum Nutrition for the Mind. London, England:Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Limited (p. 302)

3. Permutter, D. and Colman, C. (2004) The Better Brain Book. New York, New York: Riverhead Books(pp. 18-40)

4. Kane, Emily. “Can Alzheimer’s disease be prevented?” Amazing Wellness. 2017May 1.(pp. 30-31)

5. Bredesen, Dale. “Reversal of cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program.” Aging. aging-us.com/article/100690/text. 2014 Sep. 6;708-717. doi: 10.18632/aging.100690 (pp. 1-11)

6. Bland, J. S. (2014) Disease Delusion. New York, New York: Harper Wave (p. 63) 7. Faloon, William. “How to delay brain aging by 11 years.” Life Extension. 2016 April

(p.7-13) 8. Holford, P. (2003) Optimum Nutrition for the Mind. London, England:Judy Piatkus

(Publishers) Limited (pp. 11-13) 9. Williams, R. (1998) Biochemical Individuality. New Canaan, Connecticut:Keats

Publishing (pp.1-7) 10. Holford, P. (2003) Optimum Nutrition for the Mind. London, England:Judy Piatkus

(Publishers) Limited (p. 38) 11. Perlmutter, D. (2000) Brainrecovery.Com. Naples, Florida: The Perlmutter Health

Center (p.3) 12. Bredesen, Dale. “Reversal of cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program.” Aging.

aging-us.com/article/100690/text. 2014 Sep. 6 (pp. 1-2) doi: 10.18632/aging.100690 13. Holford, P. (2004) The New Optimum Nutrition Bible. London, England: Judy Piatkus

(Publishers) Limited (p. 392-396)) 14. Holford, P. (2004) The New Optimum Nutrition Bible. London, England: Judy Piatkus

(Publishers) Limited (p. 480-500)) 15. Holford, P. (2004) The New Optimum Nutrition Bible, London, England: Judy

Piatkus (Publishers) Limited (p. 502-527) 16. Krebs-Smith, Susan. “Natural Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.” Journal of

Nutrition. 2010 Aug 11. 17. Bens, Charles. (2001) Healthy at Work, Your Pocket Guide to Good Health,

Sarasota, Florida: Best Practice Consulting (p.31) 18. Williams, R. (1998) Biochemical Individuality. New Canaan, Connecticut:

Keats Publishing (p.94)

40

19. Bohager, T. (2006) Enzymes: What the Experts Know. Prescott, Arizona: One World Press (p. 43)

20. Bens, Charles. (2001) The Care and Feeding of the Brain. Healthy At Work. www.behealthyatwork.com/carefeeding.html

21. Ames, Bruce. “Vitamin K, an example of triage theory: is micronutrient inadequacy linked to disease of aging?” Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Oct;90(4):889-907. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.27930.Epub 2009 Aug 19.

22. Belluck, Pam. “Children’s life expectancy being cut short by obesity.” New York Times. 2009 Mar 17.

23. Rona, Zoltan. “My top 10 supplements for preventing and reversing Alzheimer’s, dementia, and more.” Vitality. 2013 Nov 15.

24. “Popular Vitamins Decrease Dementia.” Life Extension. 2017 Mar:17 25. Bredesen, Dale. “Reversal of cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program.” Aging.

aging-us.com/article/100690/text. 2014 Sep. 6;708-717. doi: 10.18632/aging.100690 26. Bredesen, Dale. “Reversal of cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program.” Aging.

aging-us.com/article/100690/text. 2014 Sep. 6;708-717. doi: 10.18632/aging.100690 27. Small, G. and Vorgan, G. (2012) The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program. New York,

New York: Workman Publishing 28. Shankle, W. R. and Amen, D. G. (2004) Preventing Alzheimer’s. New York,

New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 29. “How exercise can improve cognition.” Life Extension. 2017May;67-72. 30. Mercola, Joseph. “Exercise is one of the best ways to slow aging.”

fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2012/11/30/exercise-anti-aging-impacts. 2012 Nov 30.

31. Bens, Charles. “The beginning of the end of the war on medicine.” Life Extensions. 2015 Apr.

32. Huntsman, Mark. “8 brain-training games for memory.” Alzheimers.net. Brain Health Nutrition Tips/Dementia. 2014 Apr 5.

33. Murray, M. and Pizzorno, J. (2012) The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. New York, New York: Atria Books (pp. 45-47)

34. Bland, Jeffery, Barrager, Eleanor, Reedy, RG, Bland Kyle. “A medical food – supplemented detoxification program in the management of chronic health problems.” Altern Ther Health Med. 1995 Nov 1;1(5) (pp.62-70)

35. Murray, M. and Pizzorno, J. (2012) The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. New York, New York: Atria Books (pp. 103-130)

36. Palevsky, Lawrence B. “Aluminum and vaccine ingredients.” Natural Vaccine Information Center. nvic.org/Doctors-Corner/Aluminum-and-Vaccine-Ingredients.aspx

41

37. Ji, Sayer. “Turmeric produces ‘Remarkable’ recovery in Alzheimer’s patients.” Green Med Info. 2013 Jun 10.

[6] Laura Zhang, Milan Fiala, John Cashman, James Sayre, Araceli Espinosa, Michelle Mahanian Justin Zaghi, Vladimir Badmaev, Michael C Graves, George Bernard, Mark Rosenthal. Curcuminoids enhance amyloid-beta uptake by macrophages of Alzheimer’s disease patients. JAlzheimers Dis. 2006 Sep;10(1):1-7. PMID: 16988474 [7] Ava Masoumi, Ben Goldenson, Senait Ghirmai, Hripsime Avagyan, Justin Zaghi, Ken Abel, Xueying Zheng, Araceli Espinosa-Jeffrey, Micelle Mahanian Pillip T Liu, Martin Lewison, Matthew Mizwickie, John Cashman, Milan Fiala. 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 interacts with curcuminoids to stimulate amyloid-beta clearance by macrophages of Alzheimers’s disease patients. J Alzeimers Dis. 2009 Jul;17(3):703-17. PMID: 19433889 [8] Hongying Liu, Zhong Li, Donghai Qiu, Qiong Gu, Qingfeng Lei, Li Mao. The inhibitory effects of different curcuminoids on B-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 in saAPP HEK293 cells. Int Dent J. 1996 Feb;46(1):22-34. PMID: 20727383 [9] Shilpa Mishra, Mamata Mishra, Pankaj Seth, Shiv Kumar Sharma. Tetrahydrocurcumin confers protection against amyloidB-induced toxicity. Neuroreport. 2010 Nov 24. Epup20110 Nov 24. PMID: 21116204 [11] Hong-Mei Wang, Yan-Xin Zhao, Shi Zhang, Gui-Dong Liu, Wen-Yan Kang, Hui-Dong Tang, Jian-Qing Ding, Sheng-Di Chen, PPARgamma agonist curcumin reduces the amyloid-beta-stimulated inflammatory responses in primary astrocytes. JAlzheimers Dis, 20110;20(4):1189-99. PMID: 20413894

38. Ji, Sayer. “Turmeric produces ‘Remarkable’ recovery in Alzheimer’s patients.” Green Med Info. 2013 Jun 10.

39. Ji, Sayer. “Turmeric produces ‘Remarkable’ recovery in Alzheimer’s patients.” Green Med Info. 2013 Jun 10.

40. Ji, Sayer. “Turmeric produces ‘Remarkable’ recovery in Alzheimer’s patients.” Green Med Info. 2013 Jun 10.

41. Ji, Sayer. “Turmeric produces ‘Remarkable’ recovery in Alzheimer’s patients.” Green Med Info. 2013 Jun 10.

42. Ji, Sayer. “Turmeric produces ‘Remarkable’ recovery in Alzheimer’s patients.” Green Med Info. 2013 Jun 10.

43. Kwan, Nichole. “99.6 percent of Alzheimer’s disease drug trials fail, expert’s find.” foxnews.com/health/2014/07/03/6-percent-alzheimers-disease-drug-trials-fail-experts-find.htm. 2014 Jul 3.