Cómo ayudar a prevenir y tratar la enfermedad de Alzheimer

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on July 2, 2023.

In this video, I interview Dr. Dale Bredesen, a neurologist specializing in Alzheimer’s treatment. In 2014, he published a paper demonstrating the impact of lifestyle choices on preventing and treating Alzheimer’s. By implementing 36 healthy lifestyle parameters, he reversed Alzheimer’s in 9 out of 10 patients.

Randomized Trial Launch Aims to Track and Reverse Cognitive Decline

Bredesen’s team has published another proof-of-concept paper and is initiating a randomized, controlled trial at six sites across the United States. The trial will assess biological aging, brain aging, and epigenetics using advanced blood tests. Early detection and monitoring without a PET scan will be possible with commercially available tests. Tracking improvements and reversing cognitive decline are key focuses of the trial.

Valuable Tests to Detect Early Signs of Cognitive Decline

Several tests are available to detect early signs of cognitive decline, including the GFAP test, phospho-tau 181 and phospho-tau 217 tests, genetic testing for APOE status, and hormone and toxin testing.

Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire

Bredesen’s research challenges the conventional view of tau and beta-amyloid as causative factors in Alzheimer’s. He argues that these proteins are responses and mediators rather than root causes. Alzheimer’s is caused by multiple upstream contributors that weaken the brain’s network, leading to cognitive decline.

Bredesen’s Approach to Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s

Bredesen emphasizes the importance of supporting energy and reducing inflammation in the brain to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s. Dietary intervention, including a plant-rich, mildly ketogenic diet, is a key component of his protocol. I believe it is crucial to keep omega-6 polyunsaturated fats (PUFs) low, ideally below 2% or even 1% of daily calories, for optimal health.

There is a strong suspicion that individuals with dementia should be even more cautious, as linoleic acid (LA) seems to be the primary dietary source of factors contributing to Alzheimer’s disease, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired electron transport chain function, leading to inefficient ATP production.

I have extensively discussed this topic, so for more information, please listen to the interview and/or review “Linoleic Acid — The Most Destructive Ingredient in Your Diet.”

• Reevaluating omega fat intake and extended keto — I am not entirely convinced that the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio is as beneficial as commonly thought, as simply increasing omega-3 intake may not counteract the harm caused by omega-6 fats. Additionally, many omega-3 supplements, particularly fish oil, are of poor quality and can be rancid, so ensuring you are consuming high-quality omega-3 is crucial.

Furthermore, since the interview, I have recognized the importance of carbohydrates for brain health, including simple carbs from whole fruits, and the disadvantages of long-term keto. It is important to note that Bredesen’s dietary recommendations are based on his research and may not align with my own views.

• Exercise — Bredesen has observed positive results with KAATSU (blood flow restriction training) and exercise with oxygen therapy (EWOT).

• Sleep optimization — Sleep apnea is a common issue that contributes to cognitive decline by reducing oxygen to the brain and increasing adrenaline levels during sleep.

• Additional strategies — Other important approaches include stress reduction, brain training, detoxification, and targeted supplementation.

Bredesen’s program is tailored to each patient, as many may have undiagnosed chronic infections that require attention.

• Oral pathogens can invade the brain — Common infections like P. gingivalis and T. denticola can enter the brain from the oral microbiome, along with herpes simplex and human betaherpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A).

• Herpes viruses and Alzheimer’s — Herpes viruses, particularly HHV-6A, are linked to the brain degeneration seen in Alzheimer’s disease.

• Chlamydia pneumoniae and tick-borne infections — Infections like Chlamydia pneumoniae and tick-borne illnesses such as Borrelia, Bartonella, Babesia, and Anaplasma can pose risks and overstimulate the innate immune system.

• Infections and the immune system — These infections can trigger an overactive innate immune response, leading to chronic inflammation. Bredesen compares the immune responses in COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s, emphasizing the importance of addressing infections.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup Reduces ATP Production

Bredesen emphasizes the importance of avoiding fructose consumption. In a paper published in March 2023, Dr. Richard Johnson, Bredesen, Dr. David Perlmutter, and others discussed Alzheimer’s disease as a result of maladaptive responses to intracerebral fructose and uric acid metabolism.

• Fructose and ATP production — Metabolizing fructose signals the body to store fat and decrease ATP production, leading to energy deficits. Bredesen notes the impact of fructose on mitochondrial function and ATP levels.

• Lower ATP and cognitive decline — Reduced ATP production due to fructose metabolism can contribute to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, particularly in energy-demanding organs like the brain.

• Fructose and Alzheimer’s — Changes in the brain caused by excessive fructose consumption mirror those seen in Alzheimer’s patients, highlighting the role of diet in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

• Avoiding excess fructose for brain health — While moderate fruit consumption is acceptable, excessive fructose intake from sources like high-fructose corn syrup can disrupt brain metabolism and accelerate cognitive decline.

Fruit vs. High-Fructose Corn Syrup

It is essential to differentiate between fructose from natural fruit and high-fructose corn syrup. While I previously recommended limiting both sources, I now emphasize the importance of fructose from fruit in activating metabolic enzymes essential for glucose metabolism in mitochondria.

• The Randle cycle as a metabolic switch — This cycle plays a crucial role in regulating metabolic processes. Your body primarily uses fats and carbs as fuel, with the Randle cycle determining which one your cells burn. When your diet is high in fat, more than 30% to 35%, your metabolism shifts to burning fat in your mitochondria instead of glucose. Excess glucose is then shuttled into glycolysis and released into your blood.

Eating a lot of fruit and fat together is not recommended, as combining high fructose with high fat intake can lead to issues. Individual factors like metabolic flexibility, toxicity, and microbiome play a role in how well you tolerate carbohydrates.

Polyunsaturated fats (PUFs) may also contribute to metabolic dysfunction, similar to high-fructose corn syrup. However, fructose from fruit behaves differently and does not have the same negative effects. Methylene blue, niacinamide, NAC, and glycine are recommended for improving health and combating degenerative diseases.

A Precision Medicine Program is being launched to prevent and treat chronic conditions, with a focus on early intervention. Alzheimer’s disease progresses through four stages, with prevention and early treatment showing the most effectiveness. While reversal is possible in earlier stages, it becomes more challenging as the disease progresses. Even small improvements can be life-changing for dementia patients. Ella está en un hogar de ancianos.

Utilizamos el protocolo que desarrollaste, solo mejoró un poco, pero sus síntomas estaban mucho mejor. Podía vestirse sola, podía hablar de nuevo, podía interactuar.

• Los mejores resultados se obtienen con una intervención temprana — Si bien los pacientes en etapas avanzadas aún ven beneficios, comenzar el tratamiento temprano ofrece la mayor posibilidad de reversión completa. Bredesen señaló: