It has been two years since UCLA published a study, that is the only research project to date, that has shown a reversal of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The problem is that the treatment in this study is not a pill that allows you to continue with your favorite habits like normal. However, it requires some lifestyle changes. If any drug company had achieved even half of what this study accomplished, you can bet that it would be talked about across all news outlets.

But alas, that is not how it works, not that I need to remind you as you are well aware of the games played with your health.

We like this pilot study because this is the way we look at health. To solve health issues, we usually don’t find one wondrous bullet. On the contrary, we need to look at many factors and begin problem solving to get to any meaningful solution. This approach is how we look at our own health picture. When you call us for help with your own health challenges, we will gather as much information and often our recommendations will often involve several lifestyle modifications.

So let’s get into the meat of the UCLA study. Dr. Dale Bredesen used a complex program that involved dietary changes, brain stimulation, exercise, sleep optimization, specific supplements and other modalities. Bredesen wanted to try a different approach in light of the past failures of AD to respond to drug trials. He noticed that many chronic conditions respond well to a multi-faceted approach. So why not AD?

Prevailing theories of AD revolve around two ideas.  These are the accumulation of plaques called beta amyloid proteins or due to a response from specific pathogens. Neither of these theories has led to meaningful treatment.  Bredesen states that: “Existing Alzheimer’s drugs affect a single target, but Alzheimer’s disease is more complex. Imagine having a roof with 36 holes in it, and your drug patched one hole very well. The drug may have worked, and a single hole may have been fixed, but you still have 35 other leaks, and so the underlying process may not be affected much.”

 

What kinds of treatment did this study suggest? Examples of treatment plans in the Alzheimer’s study include:

 

  • – Eliminating all simple carbohydrates, gluten, and processed food from your diet.
  • – Adding more vegetables, fruits, and non-farmed fish to your diet.
  • – Try to meditate twice a day and begin practicing yoga to reduce stress.
  • – Getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night.
  • – Take supplements such as melatonin, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, fish oil and coenzyme Q10 daily.
  • – Enhancing oral hygiene using an electric flosser and electric toothbrush
  • – Hormone replacement therapy (only in some cases).
  • – Fasting for a minimum of 12 hours between dinner & breakfast and for a minimum of three between dinner & bedtime
  • – Getting 30 minutes of exercise, for four to six days a week.

 

Despite the success rate of the program, the downside is the need to make lifestyle changes and the relative complexity of the program. Adding multiple pills a day, along with meditation and yoga don’t come easily to many people. So the idea of rolling this plan to a public who is set in their ways can be challenging.

But if you are one of those people inclined to do whatever it takes to improve your brain health, you might take a look at this type of approach. Check out the UCLA study here and remember, we’re here to help you find supplements, such as stress support supplements, anytime!