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Alzheimer’s – Part 2

 Last issue I talked about Alzheimer’s as fundamentally a brain inflammation disease – the best remedy for which is to not get brain inflammation in the first place.  Eating only fresh, non-toxic foods, avoiding poisons, and moving most of the day will do this for you.  But what do you do if it is already too late?  You are already noticing that you don’t always remember why you walked to the other room, or you keep forgetting where you left your keys.  Short-term memory loss is an early sign of brain inflammation.  If you now start forgetting older memories like the names of old movie stars, or where you spent your summer vacation 20 years ago, things are now getting more serious.

Another serious sign –  do you get tired reading after only an hour when you used to be able to read for hours?  Your brain just is not able to process information as well as it used to.  Alzheimer’s is a heart-breaking disease, whether it is you or someone you love that is succumbing to its ravages.  What can be done?  If you depend upon the current medical system the answer is really nothing. 

That does not mean they don’t know things that can really help.  It just means that these things have not been turned into patentable drugs yet.  Drug companies scour the world looking for old folk remedies and herbal compounds that have medicinal properties.  There are thousands upon thousands of scientific studies demonstrating the positive benefits from these natural remedies published every year.  Yet few of these are ever heard about by the average patient that really needs their benefits.  Many of them directly help Alzheimer’s.
 
 

 The main causes of Alzheimer’s brain inflammation are excess cortisol (from stress), homocysteine (altered methylation), exogenous toxins (causing microglial activation), diminished blood flow (due to atherosclerosis and hypertension damage), head trauma, lack of brain stimulation, and deficiency of neurotransmitter and neuron forming nutrients.  Other than accidental head traumas, all of the causes of Alzheimer’s are addressable by nutrition and lifestyle changes.

For the excess cortisol we get people off the sugars and simple carbohydrates and use a phosphatidylserine transdermal crème (Adrenacalm) to calm down the adrenal stress and protect the hippocampus short-term memory area.  We then work with enhancing life skills to decrease past emotional traumas and immaturities that create the stress.

Homocysteine is simply a nutritional fix with the right
B vitamins (6, 12, and folate) and other nutrients like trimethylglycine (MethylSP). 

Dealing with exogenous toxins (like poisons, drugs, and alcohol) begins with first eliminating exposure in our foods, water, and environment.  Careful liver cleansing programs, gradual weight loss, low temperature dry sauna, and blood-brain barrier building nutrients are also helpful as needed.

The microglial immune cell over activity in the brain is a major issue that much research is centered on as these cells generate the slow immune fire that causes neuron degeneration and death.  Fortunately there are many natural substances that fight these effects.  Foremost among these are the flavinoids – the substances that give fruits and vegetables their deep color.  There are hundreds, possibly thousands of flavinoid compounds in nature.  Special compounds found in sesame seeds, celery, and green peppers have also been found to calm down the fire destroying your brain.  I use a combo product called Neuroflam.

Blood flow can be greatly enhanced to improve oxygen to the brain by herbs such as ginko biloba and the use of systemic enzymes.  In the office we use a product called NeurO2.
 
     Brain stimulation is critical.  In fact even with the damage from the amyloid plaques and neurofibril formation, people who have rich connectivity between neurons due to active brain usage often don’t show the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.  What does that mean on a practical level?  It means turning off the TV (except for a few of the game shows), and getting involved in a lifetime of learning.  Equally important is movement.  Numerous studies have shown that exercise (even mild exercise like Tai Chi) increases brain cell connectivity.  Simply put you must stay actively involved with life – doing, learning, and growing till the day you drop. 

Lastly working with brain nutrition is paramount.  The brain is mostly fat.  Repair and growth of brain cells requires a lot of DHA – one of the Omega 3 oils found most easily in fish and krill.  Gluten has been found to cause brain inflammation as well as to block a key enzyme that converts glutamate into the calming neurotransmitter GABA.  With any early signs of Alzheimer’s I recommend getting off gluten (cereal grains) and also casein (milk products).

Specific nutrients to support the formation of each of the brain neurotransmitters are available in case there are any imbalances causing symptoms.  We have dopamine support for feeling excited, acetylcholine support for focus and memory, serotonin support for feeling happy and mellow, and GABA support for feeling calm and relaxed. These can also be used with many brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease, depression, ADHD, and nervous disorders.  To test for any imbalances in the neurotransmitters, take the assessment at:  Neurotransmitter Assessment Form

We have symptom check list surveys available in the office to see if you are showing any early signs of brain inflammation or degeneration.  This is important because the first signs of Alzheimer’s start showing up 20 to 30 years early – early enough to do something proactive to slow down or prevent the progression of the disease.

Take care of your brain, it can’t be replaced.  Be very proactive in changing your diet and lifestyle to keep your brain active and functional, because when it goes, you go.