Alzheimers Can Now Be Prevented and You Can Help!David R. Larsen, MFHD Currently Alzheimers disease (AD) is the third leading cause of death among seniors in the US following cardiovascular disease and cancer. There are more than 5.2 million people in the US now suffering from AD or some other type of serious memory impairment i.e. dementia. And these are among the most costly and devastating ailments a family can face.All this can be discouraging, understandably. You may have also heard the claim that there is nothing one can do to prevent or reverse memory loss, much less Alzheimers. However, most people, even many doctors, do not realize current research shows there are actually a lot of steps that can be taken to measurably reduce ones risk for dementia (the loss of critical mental abilities), and even reverse decline, when caught early enough. This is true even for many of the losses related to Alzheimers.Encouraging Research From Europe In 2012 a major joint study was initiated by researchers in Finland and colleagues at the Karolinska institute in Sweden, known as the FINGER (Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability) study. This well-designed, controlled study, involved 1260 seniors ages 60-77 in Finland. All of these individuals, due to genetics or other factors, had a greater than normal risk for Alzheimers and dementia - and were randomly divided into intervention and control groups.The intervention group went through a program of training in the areas of diet, physical activity, mental activity, social interaction, and monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors. The control group received regular health advice from their physicians as usual.At the end of 2 years, although some improvements were seen in both groups, the improvements in the intervention group were significantly greater. There was an 83% greater improvement in organizational abilities, 150% greater improvement in processing speed, and a 40% greater improvement in complex memory tasks compared to the control group. Even carriers of the ApoE4 (Alzheimers) gene enjoyed clear benefits. Those in the intervention group had a 30% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment after two years, compared to the intervention group, prompting Dr. Kivipelto, the Primary Investigator to note This shows that prevention [of Alzheimers] is possible. This can be hard for some to believe. Yet the FINGER study has been replicated in the decade since by more than 12 other countries with similar results.The UMass studyConcurrent with this study another research project was going on in the US, conducted by Thomas Shea, PhD, head of the biology department at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Dr. Sheas mother had passed away from dementia, so it became his passion to determine what nutrients, if any, might help to arrest or slow cognitive decline, particularly in Alzheimers patients.After 10 years of reviewing the research and studies with animals, he and his colleagues came up with a simple nutritional formulation that consisted of 6 vitamins and proteins shown to help the brain. In a smaller study of 14 individuals diagnosed with Alzheimers, living in an Assisted Living facility, after 12 months of taking this supplement 2 continued to decline, 2 stayed the same, but 10 showed improvements in both mood and memory. In a later Phase II Clinical trial that I helped conduct, involving University of Mass, U of Maryland, and Framingham U,we observed 340 participants with cognitive impairments (90 of whom had been diagnosed with Alzheimers) - documenting improvements in approximately 60% of those diagnosed with AD, after 12 months on the formula.The UCSF StudyIn another later study of a small sample published in the Journal Aging in 2016 Dr. Dale Bredesen, Chief Resident in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), documented a reversal in serious cognitive decline in 9 of 10 subjects, using a combined multifaceted, approach that included both dietary and lifestyle modifications as well as targeted supplements.These included people who were struggling at work and some who had to discontinue working due to their disability. The researchers found that over a period of 1-2 years those who had to stop working were able to return to work, and those struggling at work were able to improve their performance. The patients, their spouses, and their co-workers all reported clear improvements. In this 2016 report, in order to show this was not a fluke or placebo effect, they included results from test scores showing improvement in quantitative MRIs showing major increases in healthy cells in the memory center (hippocampus) of their brains. One subject, for instance, showed an increase in hippocampal volume from the 17th percentile (with only 17% of the population his age having less grey matter in that part of the brain), to the 75th percentile (where only 25% of the population had more). Thats more than a 50% increase in brain mass, in that vital area for memory!It is noteworthy that while most of these patients met criteria for AD prior to treatment, many if not most did not afterwards. Even after 4 years the improvements were still maintained.Evidence of reversalThis may be hard for some people to believe, especially if theyve been told by an authority figure that theres nothing you can do to arrest this. Yet there is good evidence that many if not most dementia symptoms, and the associated decline, can be reversed if the correct steps are taken soon enough. In fact, Dr. Bredesen subsequently published another study showing improvements made by various doctors in 100 patients. And currently they are wrapping up another large multisite, controlled study called the Evanthea Dementia Reversal Trial. Bredesen students now report improvements in thousands of patients from all over the world, using his approach.Steven Jones became a very successful teacher and consultant in the financial field, until his family and physician noticed a significant decline in his memory and persuaded him to see a neurologist, who concluded his cognitive profile was consistent with a progressive dementia such as Alzheimers disease. At the time, he was told that he needed to accept the reality of this, enjoy remaining time with family, and get his financial affairs in order, as there was no way to treat that.However, in Feb of 2022, he was told about and began working with an M.D. and coach trained in the Bredesen protocol, who helped him make several of the adjustments described in the research. Nine months later, when he was reexamined, the doctor noted There is no concern for a memory disturbance At this time, he does not meet criteria for a neurocognitive disorder.Required Steps?If dementia or Alzheimers is a concern for you and your family, what are the most important steps one can take to be proactive and reduce their risk? Its important to understand that the needs of each individual are different, based on their genetics, medical history, toxic exposures, bio-markers, etc.. So what may have helped your neighbor improve their memory, my not help you, and visa versa.Therefore, an essential basic starting point is a good assessment to determine potential contributing or risk factors. Such assessments can be pricey, but currently the American Brain Council, of which I am a member, has one of the most cost effective assessment tools available on our website at ABCbrain.org. It reviews more than 60 potential risk factors for cognitive decline, and then when you tap Submit it provides insights, links and instructions, specific to each persons needs, for how they can reduce each of these potential adverse contributors. All now for only $20!For more personal assistance or for those less computer savvy, coaches are available to assist both in assessing risk and in developing and carrying out a plan for cognitive improvement. And if more help is needed in dealing with medical issues they can assist in linking you to a Bredesen trained practitioner.Finally as a preview to our website, here are five lifestyle adjustments that seem to be commonly needed in most people - and confirmed by the research studies above: Adjustments often need to be made in ones diet. Most seniors eat too many processed foods high in sugar, and not enough plant based foods containing the nutrients the brain needs to succeed. Our site will show you what the best and worst food are for the brain. A healthy digestive system is also essential, and we have a great section on how that can be built and maintained. Second, increased physical activity or regular exercise is also needed to help circulate those nutrients and oxygen to the brain. The right kinds of physical activity can also facilitate the growth of new brain cells - and not just for young people! Third, a good nights sleep with other stress reduction is also critical to brain health. And detailed instructions are given for natural ways to enhance and deepen ones sleep with fewer trips to the bathroom. Forth, mental stimulation, learning new things and sharing our knowledge interacting with others, is key. Thats where Independent and Assisted Living communities excel. They can provide opportunities for social interaction and learning, that usually far surpass what seniors experience when they stay home alone. Lastly, avoiding neuro toxins in our food and environment, like mold, mercury, pesticides, and air pollution. Info on these 5 plus many others are available at ABCbrain.Org along with the Assessment tool to help determine which would be most important for each individual. Many believe we are now in the midst of a dementia plague. But fortunately God has given us a variety of tools and insights that can help maintain a healthy brain and prolong our quality of life. The information is out there in the research conducted over recent decades. But like the wise men of old, its up to us to seek, find and apply that knowledge, if we want to support or improve the abilities of our brain this coming year. If you have questions or need help in navigating this site or developing a plan call me at 801-529-8238. David R. Larsen, MFHD [email protected] is a former Master Trainer for the Alzheimers Association, and Continuing Ed instructor nationally for nurses, therapists, and dietitians, as well as a graduate of Dr. Bredesens Advanced Clinical Training for Reversing Cognitive decline.