Protecting the brain
Alzheimer’s disease is a side effects of the aging process. In fact, the most common view globally (scientific or not) is that aging - the process of getting older - naturally causes changes in the brain and central nervous system that lead to conditions such as memory loss and dementia.
These perceptions of aging leave our elders (and us) with little to look forward to later in life. It’s not that surprising that depression statistics among the elderly are high when most people expect aging to cause irreversible brain damage. They believe this brain damage will initially lead to forgetfulness and erratic, odd behavior. Then, it will inexorably strip your very identity away from you just before you die an idiot’s death without any dignity.
What we know about brain function has only gathered serious momentum in the last three decades, especially around the physical factors affecting old age. A new understanding is emerging. What we once thought was ‘destined,’ ‘unavoidable’ or ‘inevitable’ may, in fact, be unnatural or even unnecessary. These discoveries are beginning to form a new health paradigm, one that centers on lifestyle and dietary changes for sustained all-around health and longevity - A model that seeks to auspiciously redesign how we relate to and treat the elderly amongst us.
In line with this new paradigm, we’ve developed a pharmaceutical-free diet and lifestyle plan that is complete with recipes and advice based on the latest scientific research findings. It is created to prevent, halt, or combat degenerating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia that commonly arise for people as they age.
Our brains can adapt and respond to our environments by appropriately changing its structure and function. This fantastic ability is called neuro or brain plasticity. Our ability to learn how to play a musical instrument, for example, relies on the brain’s ability to grow neurons into linked interconnected chains called ‘neuro-nets.’ Neuro-nets are established through the repetitions of daily practice. This means, the brain actually changes shape as you learn.
Dementia Risk Factor Matrix
Very Likely Advanced age, family history (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s), apolipoprotein E-4, Down’s syndrome, head trauma (10x risk w/ApoE4) depression, reduced blood flow, stroke, estrogen imbalance, poor word fluency
Likely Emotional stress, toxic damage, alcohol abuse, nutrient deficiencies, transmitter deficits, metabolic deficits, under activity, lower educational level, occupational electromagnetic exposure
Possible Aluminum exposure, latent viruses, sugar consumption, olfactory deficit, coronary artery disease
Drugs are bad for the brain
For the first time, researchers at Northwestern University have analyzed the relationship between casual use of marijuana and brain changes – and found that young adults who used cannabis just once or twice a week showed significant abnormalities in two important brain structures.
Elderly hospital patients who are given a common type of sedative to help them sleep have an increased risk of symptoms of delirium. 70% increased risk of symptoms of delirium, 300% increase in inattentive,
300% increase in altered consciousness, 500% of disorganized speech. These drugs block the actions of an important brain chemical called acetylcholine that can cause hallucinations, among other symptoms archives of internal medicine 2001; 161:2091-2097
Antihistamines linked to Alzheimer’s
Antihistamines drugs block the nervous system neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease typically have a marked shortage of acetylcholine. Examples include nighttime pain relievers, antihistamines, and other sleep aids, such as: Excedrin PM, Tylenol PM, Nytol, Sominex, unisom, Benadryl, Dramamine.
There are also many different physical and psychological factors that can affect the way our memory functions: • Anxiety • Stress • Depression • Infection • Thyroid imbalance • Dehydration • Nutritional deficiencies such as insufficient Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin B6 & B12, and folate • Alcoholism • Medication • Substance abuse • Lack of exercise / sedentary lifestyle
A general strategy for better brain health would include the five laws of health-diet, exercise, rest and relaxation, positive mental and spiritual attitude and a healthy nervous system.
Nutritional approach in rebuilding brain function.
Extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, Acai Berry, Aronia Berry, Blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, cranberry, elderberry, grape or grape seed, pomegranate, strawberry, Leafy Greens and Cruciferous Vegetables, rosemary, lemon balm, Panax Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Ginkgo biloba, Curcumin, Green Tea, Cinnamon, Dark Chocolat, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA),Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC),Vitamin D ,Vitamins C and E, fish oils, Vinpocetine, Phosphatidylserine, Vinpocetine, Magnesium, B Vitamins, Niacin, Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10),N-acetyl cysteine, Luteolin, Wild Green Oat Extract, Nicotinamide Riboside,and Bacopamonnieri.
Work at reducing inflammation in the body, ask for the anti-inflammatory food list.
Coconut oil is a brain fuel
The damage done to your brain from the wrong foods and from unbalanced insulin and leptin levels begins decades before you show any of the telltale signs of Alzheimers. Coconut oil or MCT’s should be taken in the morning. It takes a minimum of 3 hours for the oil to convert to ketones and reach your brain. You should repeat the dose of 4 tablespoons of coconut oil twice a day. Gradually add more coconut oil every few days until you are able to tolerate 4 tablespoons.
When digested, MCTs travel directly to the liver where they are synthesized into keytone bodies. These chemical compounds have a positive effect on several brain disorders, most notably – epilepsy & Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia.) High concentrations of keytone bodies in the blood have been shown to reduce seizures in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Keytone bodies also provide an alternate source of energy for cells in the brain which have lost the ability to process glucose, one of the main causes of Alzheimer’s.