Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic debilitating disease that erodes the quality of life of a patient gradually as is with his/her sense of independence and freedom. It is a growing epidemic. Internationally recognised neurologist and researcher, Dr. Dale Bredesen, suggests that conventional treatment of Alzheimer’s have failed due to an incomplete understanding of the cause and the pathway of the disease condition.
Bredesen’s research has shown that a holistic approach which addresses the causes of neurodegeneration can result in reversal of symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s disease. The major metabolic insults are for Alzheimer’s are inflammation, insulin resistance, high homocysteine, loss of hormonal support e.g. testosterone or estrogen, exposure to toxins including heavy metals and gastrointestinal toxins.
Functional testing may be necessary to determine which is the cause of cognitive decline. Each person is unique, so is his/her pathway to suboptimal health and disease. From a natural medicine perspective, using herbs and nutrients to regulate blood sugar and insulin signalling, addressing the dietary intake and lifestyle to reduce the inflammatory and toxic load, use specific activated B vitamins and serine to address high homocysteine, and working with the hormonal imbalance will help to reverse symptoms of mild cognitive impairment. Keeping aerobic and strength exercise a part of your routine 5 times a week, 45-60 minutes each time, and maintaining good sleep hygiene is an important first step in helping reverse mild cognitive decline. Keep your mind active, maintain social connections through community and family. Engage in activities that jog your problem solving centre. Increase your intake of turmeric and coconut oil, adding it to your main meals, or your omelette or even making a golden tea out of it. I have shared a recipe for golden milk in the NutriActionz blog.