Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a dreaded condition and for a good reason. It is the most common cause of dementia, which leads to a progressive decline in thinking, memory, as well as behavioral and social skills.

Drug therapies for the prevention and treatment of AD have been very disappointing. The reason I believe that drug therapies have mainly been ineffective is that they do not treat the causes of brain inflammation that causes brain nerve cells (neurons) to be damaged. It is inflammation that causes β-amyloid protein and plaques to form, and current drugs do not address this.

Interestingly, researchers such as Dr. Dale Bredesen, a professor at UCLA and international expert in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, note that the accumulation of amyloid plaques could well be a protective mechanism by the body in protecting against inflammation.  Even people with the notorious ApoE4 gene can reduce their risk. However, the key to prevention is an individual treatment plan that addresses the causes of inflammation.

Several issues can cause inflammation of the brain.

These include:

- brain trauma

- infection

- nutrient deficiencies

- sleep disturbances

- stress

- toxins

- digestive problems (e.g., gluten sensitivity/allergy)

- insulin resistance

- hormone deficiencies

Recently, an article in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry and reported in Medscape, discussed the review of published research on key risk factors for AD.[1] The authors state the following ten risk factors had the most evidence for AD prevention.

These include:

- Cognitive activity

- Hyperhomocysteinemia (high levels of the protein in the blood homocysteine)

- Increased Body Mass Index (BMI) in late life

- Depression

- Stress

- Diabetes

- Head trauma

- Hypertension in midlife

- Orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure)

- Education

The next class of conditions which demonstrated lesser but still significant evidence of increasing AD risk included:

- Obesity in midlife

- Weight loss in late life

- Physical Exercise

- Smoking

- Sleep

- Cardiovascular disease

- Frailty

- Atrial Fibrillation

- Vitamin C

The last class of conditions with weaker evidence for AD risk include:

- Diastolic blood pressure management

- NSAID use

- Social Activity

- Osteoporosis

- Pesticide exposure

- Silicon from drinking water

What you can see from these three classes of risk for AD is that most of them can be addressed by being proactive through diet, lifestyle, and environmental toxin risk action!

However, this study did not include crucial research that has been published on AD risk diet and key nutrients like vitamin D, and the B vitamins B12, folate, and B6. In terms of diet, there was groundbreaking research from Weill Cornell Medicine that demonstrated a Mediterranean Diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein had fewer Alzheimer’s related changes in their brain MRIs compared to those who ate a SAD (Standard American Diet).[2] Researchers found people ages 30 to 60 who ate a SAD diet showed a decline in brain metabolism by about 3 percent per year, while those on the Mediterranean diet remained stable.

In future editions of my News and Breakthroughs, I will give you detailed information on diet, lifestyle, and specific nutraceuticals that are potent antidotes to AD risk.

[1] Vlessides M. 2020. First Proposed Evidence-Based Guideline for Alzheimer's Prevention. Medscape. [accessed 2020 Aug 30]. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/936423?nlid=137055_5402&src=wnl_dne_200828_mscpedit&uac=130325DZ&impID=2529084&faf=1

[2] Mediterranean Diet May Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease. 2018. [accessed 2020 Aug 30]. https://news.weill.cornell.edu/news/2018/05/mediterranean-diet-may-protect-against-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease

Dr. Mark Stengler NMD, MS, is a bestselling author in private practice in Encinitas, California, at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine. His newsletter, Dr. Stengler’s Health Breakthroughs, is available at  www.markstengler.com and his product line at www.drstengler.com

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