Can the Brain Repair Itself ? ….. YES !

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YES, THE BRAIN CAN REPAIR ITSELF!   It was once thought that our brains were “fixed” and incapable of repairing themselves. We now know that is not true. Our brains have the ability to change themselves, their structures, and their neuropathways. They can even grow entire new cells by a process called neurogenesis. The term neuroplasticity is used to show that the brain is  pliable and able to change.

Neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons (nerve cells) are generated. One area in the brain where neurogenesis takes place is the hippocampus that has to do with memory and navigation. One sign of dementia and Alzheimer’s is shrinkage of the hippocampus. Increasing neuron production can be done by implementing diet and lifestyle strategies that affect brain health. Exercise is a great way to stimulate the neurogenesis process which will preserve and enhance brain function.

Neuroplasticity is the change in neural pathways and synapses that occurs due to certain factors like behavior, environment, or neural processes. During such changes, the brain engages in synaptic pruning, deleting the neural connections that are no longer necessary or useful, and strengthening the necessary ones.  Neurons are part of a vast network that can grow new connections and “re-wire” our brains.

Just as the body has a lymphatic system, the brain has a glymphatic system. The glymphatic system is a waste clearance pathway in the brain, used to drain away soluble waste proteins and metabolic products. This happens at night when we are asleep. This is why quality sleep is so important for brain health.

As Dr. Bredesen writes in his book, “The End of Alzheimer’s – The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline,” Alzheimer’s has 36 or more causes. The best chance of halting and reversing cognitive decline is with addressing as many of these causes as possible. These can be grouped in 3 main areas or subtypes:

–  Inflammation (from infection, diet or other causes)
–  Decline and shortage of supportive nutrients, hormones and other brain-supporting molecules
–  Toxic substances such as metals or biotoxins (poisons produced by microbes such as molds)

The Bredesen Protocol starts with the proper evaluation and testing. A Bredesen certified health care practitioner will help identify what has caused the patient’s Alzheimer’s and its subtype. From the test results, a customized  program will be developed for the patient. This individualized  program will address the discovered causes from the 3 main areas above.

The Protocol (program) also focuses largely on diet, fasting, exercise, sleep, stress reduction, and other lifestyle factors. This part of the program will have a greater impact than you might imagine. In fact, some people have halted and begun to reverse their cognitive decline just by changing and optimizing diet and lifestyle factors (without the proper testing through a Bredesen certified doctor).

GET STARTED TODAY !  See how Bernie the RESCUE DOG and his pals implement these Alzheimer’s Diet & Lifestyle Strategies!

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Glossary


ALZ

abbreviation for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease

a type of dementia and a progressive disease of the brain that slowly causes impairment in memory and cognitive function. Alzheimer’s disease happens when the brain tries to protect itself from three metabolic and toxic threats:

1 - Inflammation (from infection, diet or other causes)

2 - Decline and shortage of supportive nutrients, hormones and other brain-supporting molecules

3 - Toxic substances such as metals or biotoxins (poisons produced by microbes such as molds)


The protective response causes APP (Amyloid Precursor Protein, the long molecule that protrudes from neurons) to be cut into four fragments, including amyloid-beta, that downsize the neural network and eventually destroy synapses and neurons. When the APP molecule is cut into those four pieces, it is not cut into the two pieces that nourish and maintain synapses.

Alzheimer's disease is a state of the brain in which there is an imbalance between the reorganization of synapses that have outlived their usefulness (and which the brain can stand to lose - healthy destruction) and the maintenance or creation of existing and new synapses (which the brain needs to sustain old memories and form new ones, as well as perform other cognitive functions). That imbalance  comes from too many  of the synapse- and neuron-destroying quartet  of molecules snipped from APP and too few  of the synapse- and neuron-sustaining duo  of molecules snipped from APP.


ApoE4

abbreviation for apolipoprotein E, a gene variant (allele) which is a protein that carries lipids – i.e. fats. Carrying one ApoE4 (inherited from one parent) increases your lifetime risk of Alzheimer’s to 30 percent. Carrying two copies (from both parents) increases it to 50 to 90 percent. That compares to a risk of only about 9 percent in those who carry zero copies of this allele.

APP

abbreviation for Amyloid Precursor Protein, the long molecule that protrudes from neurons


Cognoscopy

metabolic and genetic testing that identifies cognitive decline or what may be putting you at risk for it

Dementia

umbrella term for a group of symptoms (a syndrome) without a definitive diagnosis. Dementia is a group of symptoms that affect mental cognitive tasks such as memory and reasoning. (Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia.)

Early Alzheimer’s Disease

an early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease and uncommon form of dementia that typically affects those under the age of 65

Functional Medicine

a systems biology–based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease

Heterozygous

carrying 1 copy of the ApoE4 genetic variant

Homozygous

carrying 2 copies of the ApoE4 genetic variant

Integrative Medicine

healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapies.

Ketoflex 12/3

anti-Alzheimer’s diet to include at least 12 hours of fasting, with the first 3 hours of that fast starting after dinner. It is largely plant based, but flexible as it does allow for small amounts of meat or fish.

MCI

Mild Cognitive Impairment

MCT oil

an abbreviation for medium chain triglyceride (a saturated fat) which is found in coconut oil.  Alzheimer's impairs the brain's ability to use sugar.  An MCT ketogenic diet offers an alternative energy source:  ketones.  This allows brain cells to survive better, blocking a receptor in the brain that causes memory loss.

SCI

Subjective Cognitive Impairment – a precursor to MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)

The Bredesen Protocol

treatment program developed by Dr. Dale E. Bredesen to prevent and reverse cognitive decline (also known as The ReCODE ProtocolTM)

 
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