The End of Alzheimer’s?

Cognitive Decline strikes close to home

Many of us have a loved one who we are losing to cognitive decline.  As promised, this is part 2 of a series on Brain Function and the way it adds to our health and wellness.  An MD by the name of Dale Bredesen has created a program to prevent and reverse Cognitive Decline. Doctor Bredesen’s paradigm-shifting book, “The End of Alzheimer’s” has gotten tremendous accolades.

Cognitive Decline is one of the major symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, and the forerunner to Dementia. Most noteworthy, in his book Dr. Bredesen defines 36 metabolic factors that can trigger downsizing of the brain and he shows how to re-balance these factors using lifestyle modifications. The protocol is affectionately named ReCODE, as in Reversing Cognitive Decline. Dr. Bredesen’s analogy is to think of AD as a leaky roof – there are as many as 36 leaks in the AD roof that need to be addressed to stop the problem. Not every patient will have the same leaks, and the protocol is customized based on the patient’s genetics, current health, and lifestyle.

The book can be a bit daunting. There is a lot of detail; the ReCODE protocol is elaborate. Besides that, this is a developing field and I would highly recommend everyone taking a look at this work. Above all, it may well end up applying to you if you don’t!

ReCODE Protocol

There is no way that I could even begin to summarize this book in a blog like this. However, I can identify a couple of factors. Certainly, a talented chiropractor can assist you with all of these things:

Eight hours sleep (This is paramount; gotta get it)
Optimize diet (including, no food 3 hours before sleep, and then not for 12 hours).
Enhance ketogenesis (fat burning)
Improve G.I. health.
Reduce stress.
Exercise.
Optimize mitochondrial function (Ask about this!)
Test and track lab tests
Brain strategies – including brain stimulation and cognitive enhancement.
Supplements

Helpful Links

Dr. Bredesen also has a website, where he describes the Bredesen Protocol. A number of people are also working to make this material available, and specifically, a website discussing the gene APOE breaks out the Bredesen ReCODE protocol for The End of Alzheimer’s in detail. I highly recommend you take a look at it.

Here to Help

As a Chiropractor in NE Portland, Blue Heron Chiropractic is a full service clinic featuring modern and effective chiropractic and chiropractic orthopedics, massage, exercise rehabilitation and natural medicines on Northeast (NE) Broadway in Portland, Oregon. Directed by Dr. Dana Sibilla, we treat new pain and persisting pain, auto or work injuries. Furthermore, we integrate well with almost all other providers. We manage wellness and treat a range of conditions, from back pain to whiplash to migraines to fibromyalgia, sciatica and joint pain.  Finally, if you have questions about how Chiropractic can help you, or about exercise, pain or pain management, schedule an appointment today.