The Good News About Alzheimer's

The Good News About Alzheimer’s: How It’s Preventable + Reversable

Thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Dale Bredesen and his team, you can now meet survivors of Alzheimer’s disease.?Yup, you read that right.?

In his most recent book, The First Survivor’s of Alzheimer’s: How patients Recovered Life and Hope in Their Own Words, you’ll meet 7 survivors who came back from the edge of steep cognitive decline using the Bredesen Protocol.?Their success using the protocol was so profound they were able to write their own chapter for the book!

In this article you’ll learn Two Myths and One New Belief and how the current thinking about Alzheimer’s is dead wrong. In Dr. Bredesen’s words, “we CAN return Alzheimer’s to the rare disease it once was”.

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I never set out to be a Brain Health Expert.?

I’m the Brain Health Expert for high-achieving Creative Geniuses who want to protect their most valuable asset, their beautiful, brilliant brain.?

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You’ve built a life and a career, and an identity based on your amazing creative mind.?

Your brain is your magic currency that fuels your life and your joy.

I get it. I'm one of you, too. And so was my glass-ceiling buster mother of the 1970s.

Here’s the latest in neuroscience about how to optimize your genius brain.

This path has become a Calling, a Mission and a Ministry that has found me through a circuitous route of unique life experiences, a variety of careers, a love of people, and a desire to serve.

What is one of the ways I’ve come to this calling? Because my brilliant, trailblazer, women-ahead-of-her-time mother, wasn’t able to take advantage of all that we’re learning from 21st-Century medicine, functional medicine and neuroscience that is helping us understand root causes of cognitive decline like never before.

I’m also on a mission to end the disproportionate burden on Women’s health, socioeconomic and generational impact due to lifestyle-based, chronic diseases that underly the accelerating tsunami of neurodegeneration not just headed our way ... but that is HERE already.?

And it doesn’t need to be this way.

You see, in my mother’s case, because of her lack of access to affordable healthcare, she delayed regular, routine checkups until she could qualify for Medicare.?My mother ended up with a type of dementia that Dr. Bredesen categorizes as one of 6 sub types called, Vascular Dementia.?It is suspected that my mother’s dementia was the result of a number of mini strokes that occurred over time and that went untreated or recognized.

And personally, within a 6-month period from late 2017 through early 2018, I had my own bouts with two diagnoses where the current ‘standard of care’ could offer me nothing to reverse the condition; only treat some symptoms … and the treatments had such dire side effects, I insisted I be taken off the medication.?Instead, I dove deep into the lifestyles of metabolic, primal and neuroscience (brain + nervous system) health and functional medicine to optimize my health, regain a sense of daily joy and design a life of renewed purpose by sharing a simply better lifestyle for optimal brain and nervous system health.

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A New Way of Looking and Seeing … Physician as Computer Scientist

I’m grateful for my formal training as an Industrial Designer and the rigor of inquiry, insight and innovation I learned while completing my B.S. and M.S. degrees at Georgia Tech.?I’m also grateful for how a 20+ year career in innovation and strategy taught me to look where nobody else was looking in order to find real, seismic breakthroughs in developing new products, services, processes and businesses. Paradigm shifts we called them and that’s exactly what Dr. Bredesen has done in his new and novel ways of looking at Alzheimer’s Disease through his lens as a curious computer scientist.?After all, the brain is a master computer, isn’t it?

So, you see, for someone like me who’s comfortable being an ‘early adopter’ when I see that the science and evidence are sound (not necessarily common place or standard of care … yet), as a curious innovator, I’m still interested to learn more. And lean in to the unknown ... How about you? Especially when the 200+ drugs developed to date do little to prevent or reverse Alzheimer’s disease.?

There’s a saying I learned early in my design research career, “a 3-legged stool never wobbles”.?Since 2017, I’ve been immersed in the study and personal application of Metabolic, Immune and Nervous System health.?It’s been my GPS, triangulation if you will, upon which I've recognized sound science in the Bredesen Protocol and find solid confidence in the recommended approaches to enhance and optimize brain health, cognition that builds lifelong resilience to neurodegeneration.

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The Wildly Disproportionate Burden on Women’s Health, Socioeconomic Status and Unpaid Caregiving Demands

Bredesen’s approach really resonates with me … so much so, it’s become my mission and ministry to get the word and this work out in service to women who are at twice the risk for Alzheimer’s than men to suffer from the disease and bear the greatest financial burden of being unpaid caregivers to people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. African American and Latina women are at even higher risks of Alzheimer’s and related dementias compared to their Caucasian counterparts at 2-times and 1.5 times respectively. (Source)

“In 2021, 11.3 million unpaid [female] caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease/Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) provided 16 billion hours of unpaid caregiving worth $271.6 billion.”?Female caregivers’ contextual complexities and familial power structures within Alzheimer’s care

Two Myths. One New Belief.

Myth #1 – I’m only in my 30s or 40s. I’m too young to be concerned about Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

According to a recent Blue Cross Blue Shield study[1], the prevalence of dementia is dramatically increasing for young Americans.?The average age of someone living with early-onset Alzheimer’s or dementia is now 49 … let me repeat that … 49 years old!

Do YOU think 49 is old … I surely don’t!

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And what’s MOST alarming, these data show that for the age group of 30-44, the increase in diagnoses of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s from 2013 -2017 was the LARGEST for this age group increasing by a whopping rate of 373% whereas the increase for ages 55-64 was 173%[2] (still alarming).

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Let that sink in.

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Functional and Structural changes in our brains happen decades before symptoms ever show up

Many neuroscience researchers now agree that functional and structural changes in the brain happen 10, 20 or even 30 years before symptoms ever show up.?What does this mean? Brain changes can happen in our 20’s and 30’s that can start a pathway for cognitive decline.

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So, let’s bust that Age myth. Two lines of thinking.

The current thinking about Age and Aging as a major contributor to cognitive decline is dead wrong.?

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From 2013 – 2017, there was a 200% increase in people aged 30-64 diagnosed with early-onset dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

• Just because your ‘aging’, doesn’t mean you’re ‘destined’ for Alzheimer’s. (My amazing 80-year-old mother-in-law was sharp as a tack!)
• Just because your ‘young’, doesn’t mean you’re not already altering your brain and priming it for cognitive decline.
• Lifestyle is the MAJOR contributor in carving out BOTH pathways. Your choice.

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Myth #2: Too much focus on the ‘gene’ (I DO or DON’T have it).

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I’m in the clear. I don’t have a family history of Alzheimer’s.

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Or …

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Oh, my goodness … I’ve got the gene, there’s nothing I can do.

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Yes, there is a gene that puts portions of the population at varying degrees of risk for late-stage Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline.?

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And here’s the great news … there’s a wonderful field of study called ‘epigenetics’ that helps us understand the keys to unlocking as well as locking out disease. Epigenetics teaches us how we have the ability to turn ‘on’ and turn ‘off’ our genes and how these switches on our genes are heavily influenced by lifestyle including “diet, obesity, physical activity, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, environmental pollutants, psychological stress, and working on night shifts”.[3]

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[For those of you with the gene, please don’t despair. Look for my next article where I’ll highlight the amazing story of Julie Gregory, Chief Health Liaison for Apollo Health.]

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So, what is ‘epigenetics? “Epigenetics is the study of how our behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way our genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence.” [4]

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And … the one NEW Evidenced-based belief?

You’ve met cancer survivors but you’ve never met Alzheimer’s survivors … until now!

How?

With a 7-prong approach focused on all things lifestyle aimed at optimizing neuroplasticity in the brain.

When I say ‘neuroplasticity’ think flexibility, adaptability, speed.

Dr. Bredesen’s End of Alzheimer’s protocol focuses on the ‘right computer system problems’ affecting the brain’s energy, volume and responsiveness.?

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Here’s the GREAT news! We’re living on the front-edge of an age and a time when we can return Alzheimer’s to the rare disease it once was.?

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The End of Alzheimer’s protocol is producing results in clinical trials where drugs alone have not[5]:

Clinical studies have shown:

• Improved cognitive scores.
• Expected shrinkage of gray matter of the brain dramatically improved by 114%.
• Atrophy of the hippocampus improved, too … by 63%.

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Why does this approach work where the singular-drug approach has not?

Dr. Bredesen has identified 6 sub-types of Alzheimer’s and 36 factors that contribute to cognitive decline and dementia.?Think 36 potential holes in the roof contributing to cognitive decline.

Now, think of a drug this way … a drug is considered a ‘monotherapy’ … it’s targeted at plugging only ONE hole in that leaky roof.

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Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline focused on more specific, sub-type ‘root causes’ is showing clinical results in reversing and preventing cognitive decline and protecting not just our memories but enhancing our creativity, productivity and resiliency. A cognitive decline issue is the result of many leaky holes and each sub-type can identify the most targeted way to address which energy-deficiency to be addressed in a prioritized order.

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The 6 Sub-Types of Alzheimer’s Disease

Here’s a suggestion, if you’re up for it. And if you've gotten this far in this article, I suspect you've either experienced Alzheimer's or dementia first hand with a parent or grandparent or through someone very near and dear to you.

As you read through the list of sub-types, think about the 2 myths shared above (this isn’t about age, nor our genes; rather VERY MUCH about lifestyle) and what you notice could ‘prevent’ Alzheimer’s for you or your family:

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Type 1: “Hot” – Inflammatory

• Inflammation caused by chronic stress, toxins, hyper-processed, industrialized food, infections, leaky gut, poor sleep, poor oral health or sedentary lifestyle.

Type 2: “Cold” – Atrophic

• Withdrawal of hormone factors such as drop in estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, insufficient Vitamin D.

Type 1.5: “Sweet” – Glycotoxic

• Also known as “Type 3 Diabetes”: associated with insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and has characteristics of the inflammatory sub-type.

Type 3: “Vile” – Toxic

• Exposure to any type of toxin: mold toxins (food, home), heavy metals, tick-borne illness, heavy metals, agricultural toxins and more.

Type 4: “Vile” – Vascular

• Dementia associated with vascular disease and reduced blood supply to the brain.

Type 5: “Vile” – Traumatic

• Dementia triggered or caused by a previous head trauma.

Data-driven, Personalized, 21st Century Medicine

You’ll see in my profile that, yes, I did work at a big pharma, biotech company. What really caught my attention when first there and where I was enormously grateful to spend the most valuable portion of my research career was when I got to work in Digital Health. I had the privilege to work on the emergence of cutting edge and pioneering data-driven, clinical decision-support and personalized medicine products in the areas of oncology and rare disease that transformed lives.

As a result, I've been able to see that Dr. Bredesen is not only a pioneer on the front-end of the root-cause End of Alzheimer’s equation and continuum, with his computer scientist mind, yet also how he’s using a combination of tests he calls a ‘cognoscopy’ to gather personalized data that identifies a patient specific healing approach.

I'm never one who like's to toot my own horn ... yet, what I believe I got from my trailblazer mother, was this innate ability to recognize myself as someone ahead of the curve and to not be afraid to follow that thread until it proved me otherwise. [You'll learn more about me and my tenacity in subsequent posts.]

So here I go supporting Dr. B.

Bold. And Beautiful. And Forward. Unapologetically.

Dr. Bredesen has developed algorithms based on his 30+ years studying this disease and developing the protocol that can identify the degree to which each sub-type of Alzheimer’s is ‘active’.?And people are 'recovering' and are survivor's of Alzheimer's. With these detailed reports, anyone can take their unique data-driven, informed micro steps to start on their own personal brain healing journey for themselves and their family for generations to come.

So, why You haven’t heard more about the Bredesen Protocol … yet?

While Physicians and Scientists are hard at work in their labs for decades, and clinical trials continue across a plethora of disease states, it takes a really LONG time for a treatment or protocol to be accepted as a standard of care and reimbursable by insurance. [Another part of my journey since 2017 is that I am an ICD 10 Certified Medical Coder and Biller …a rant for a different day.]

In a nutshell ... and IMHO, many progressive, innovative and yes 'working' protocols, like the Bredesen Protocol, remain silent for far too long.

As an Innovator + Strategist, I'm a firm believer in the co-operation of Top Down + Bottoms Up Innovation to move the most critical, humanitarian, life-saving opportunities forward.

This is my Bottom Up call once you know some of the Top Down, extraordinary innovation ... let's fill the gap.

What are your biggest questions about the Bredesen protocol and how can I help you?

What are some follow-on topics about Brain Health you’d like me to cover in future articles?

Please leave a comment … I’d LOVE to hear from you.

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Have something more private you’d like to discuss? Please DM me.

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I’m Mary Lou, the Women’s Brain Health Expert + Advocate.

Whether you have a family history of cognitive decline or not, I help growth-minded, creative leaders live an ever vibrant, ever evolving life energized with optimized brain health and wellbeing lifestyle + mindshift choices that keep you thinking sharp, productively energized, brain fog lifted and joy-filled throughout every day.

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DISCLAIMER: This article in intended for informational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat nor otherwise replace advice of a trained health professional. If you know or suspect you have a health problem, you should consult a health professional.

[1] https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/early-onset-dementia-alzheimers-disease-affecting-younger-american-adults

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3752894/

[4] https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm

[5] https://www.apollohealthco.com/clinical-trial-results-2021/