Bresden Program: The End of Alzheimer’s
The Bredesen program brings HOPE:
Dr. Dale Bredesen’s work first came on my radar in 2016. I had already been throwing myself into late-night web searching for anything that would change the course of the Alzheimer’s Disease that was affecting both my mother and father. I knew about insulin resistance and had started my mother on intranasal insulin. I re-started her back on the estradiol that had been discontinued 5 years earlier. I don’t know how but this article appeared literally out of nowhere, “Reversal of Cognitive Decline”, a study done at UCLA was published in October 2014 with 10 people, all showing improvement. All were placed on a multimodal program of lifestyle factors and optimization of blood levels of vitamins and hormones and other biomarkers. I was spellbound. I had already been adding to my mother’s regimen supplements like citicoline for synaptic strength, estradiol, exercise, lowering carbohydrates, MCT Oil, and more. These were some of the same interventions he was using. At least I was on the right track. Dr. Bredesen's research and this subsequent UCLA study were responsible for giving me hope along with a host of other people dealing with the ravages of Alzheimer's disease.
From Dr. Bredesen, I learned about how Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) was not one disease but a number of diseases with distinct symptom complexes. I learned that AD lingers in the nervous system in an asymptomatic phase for 10-20 years. Dr. Bredesen uses a metaphor for the brain of a roof with 36 holes, which all need to be fixed before you can see improvement in cognition. Those 36 holes were the gist of the program called Re-CODE; These were the factors that needed to be optimized in order for the brain to come back online again. Once optimized the brain could re-boot and start functioning again.
Dr. Betty, as many of us on the APOE4.info site call him, was the first to coin the term a “Cognoscopy”. This is a test he recommends and believes we should all have access to. It can be an annual or done every few years, depending on age and symptoms. To begin when one turns 45 years of age. Like a Colonoscopy, an intervention to prevent colon cancer, a Cognoscopy measures our cognitive health. Complete with biomarkers, genetic testing, MRI (with volumetric), and neuropsychological testing, a Cognoscopy, would examine how healthy our brains are, identify at-risk individuals for dementia and establish a baseline. Health Care providers would be trained to administer the tests and recommend interventions that would serve to promote cognitive health and prevent cognitive decline. This Brain Body health program is based on Dr. Bredesen’s protocol for a Cognoscopy.
The table below summarizes lab tests and treatments used to address the five causes of cognitive decline:
Insulin Resistance
Inflammation/Infections
Hormones, nutrient, and trophic factor optimization
Toxins (chemical, biological and physical)
Restoration and protection of lost (or dysfunctional) synapses
SLEEP TREATMENT
Optimize Sleep by 7 - 8 hours
Melatonin 0.5 mg nightly; Tryptophan 500 mg 3x/wk if awakening.
Night Rest 1-2 @ HS. Exclude sleep apnea.
Ensure Nocturnal Oxygenation
Sleep study
LEARNING TREATMENT
Brain Training: 30 minutes 3 times a week, or 10-20 minutes 5 to 6 times a week.
Posit APP, BrainHQ APP, Luminosity APP, performance greater than 50% of people among your age
Cognitive Enhancement
See supplements below
Brain Stimulation
Learn a new language, music, dance
EXERCISE TREATMENT
Aerobic 30-60 minutes, 5-6/wk
Strength Training 2x/week
Make sure you are in your aerobic zone
DIET TREATMENT
Minimize Simple Carbohydrates, Implement the Ketogenic Diet
low-glycemic/ low inflammatory/ low grain diet enhances autophagy
Ketoflex 12/3, Target Ketosis 0.5-4 mmo/L
Fast 12 hours each night, including 3 hours prior to bed
BMI (Body Mass Index) 18-22
High BMI increases the risk of inflammation
STRESS TREATMENT
Stress Reduction
Meditation, Mindfulness Practices, Yoga, Tai Chi, Tention/Trauma Releasing Exercises; Heart Math
SUPPLEMENTS TREATMENT
Curcumin 1 g twice a day, empty stomach or with good fats
Anti-inflammatory benefits, anticoagulation side effects, Reduction of A-beta
Ashwagandha 500 mg twice per day with meals
Reduction of amyloid beta
Bacopa Monnieri 250-500 mg twice per day with meals
Cognitive enhancement
Magnesium Threonate
Cognitive enhancement
H.- Erinaceus (Lion's Mane) 500 mg once or twice per day
or ALCAR (alpha L-carnitine) 500 mg per day
Increase nerve growth factor
Lithium Orotate 5 - 10 mg at night
Increase nerve growth factor
Gotu kola 500 mg twice per day with meals
For alertness and focus
Citicoline 250 mg twice a day
Provide synaptic structural components
Resveratrol 100 mg each day
Increase SirT1 Function
Nicotinamide riboside 100 mg
Increase Sirtuins, increase mitochondrial function
Shankhpushpi (skullcap) 2 capsules per day
Enhance branching of neurons in the hippocampus
VITAMINS TREATMENT
Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin 1000mcg.
Level 500-1500 pg/ml; reduction of homocysteine/inflammation improves cognitive functioning
Vitamin B9 L-Methyl-folate 1000 mcg
Level 10-25 ng/ml Correction of MTHFR genetic variation: L-Methyl-folate, reduction of homocysteine
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine
Level 60-100 mcg/l reduction inflammation/homocysteine,
Vitamin B1 50 mg
Important for memory function
Vitamin C 1000 mg
For those with suboptimal Vitamin C levels or copper: zinc ratios greater than 1:2
Vitamin D 2500 IU per day
Level to 50 - 80
Vitamin E 400 - 800 IU
When vitamin E levels are less than thirteen
Vitamin K2, as MK7 100 mcg.
If taking vitamin D3
TOXINS TREATMENT
Exclude Heavy Metal Toxicity (mercury, lead, cadmium)
Chelate if indicated
If Heavy Metals or Biotoxins, Such as mold, Identified
Follow detoxification protocol
Remove any mold from your environments
Follow de-tox protocol: Read "Mold and Mycotoxins" Neil Nathan MD
PROBIOTICS 5 core species of bacteria TREATMENT
Target Lactobacillus Plantarum
Regulates immunity, reduces gut inflammation: maintains nutrients
Target Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Immune enhancement reduces yeast infections, improves cholesterol
Target Lactobacillus Brevis
Increases BDNF, improves immune function
Target Bifidobacterium Lactis
Reduces food-borne pathogens, enhances immunity, improves digestion
Target Bifidobacterium Longum
Reduces pathogens, improves cholesterol
Probiotic Products for the Nose; ProbioMax ENT and Restore
Restores an optimal microbiome
HORMONES TREATMENT
Optimize Estradiol with Bio-identical Cream or Patch
Increases Hippocampal volume; level 40-60 pg/ml
Optimize Progesterone
Prometrium 100-200 mg at bedtime, balance to Estradiol level ratio
Optimize Pregnenolone
Increases energy; level 50-100 ng/dL Optimize Testosterone
Supports synaptic maintenance; level total testosterone: 24-45 ng/dL for women; 500-1000 ng/dL for men
Optimize DHEA
Regulates synapses; level 200 mcg/dL for women; 300-350 mcg/dL for men
Optimize Thyroid
Improves energy/memory; levels FT3 = 3.2-4.2(pg/ml), RT3 = 8-25, TT3 = <20, ratio FT3 to RT3:>20; FT4 1.3-1.8, TSH = <2.0
Optimize Vitamin D3
Improves inflammation; level 60-70 ng/ml
SOCIALIZATION TREATMENT Increase Daily Stimulation and Correction With Others
Attend groups, classes, volunteer, and be involved in healthy relationships
Do Not Focus on Numbers of Targeted End Results: Many times patients are discouraged by their current levels, keep in mind that the goal is never too far away no matter where you start. AD treatment is a long and continuous process.
Always be Aware of Where You Are in the Process: Keep track of when you are improving, where you stand, and when things need to be adjusted.
Be Open to Discuss: Now is the best time to get help on your symptoms. Take advantage of today's social networks, such as the Internet and health coaches. Be kind to your body.
“Stick With the Program:” The best results was the outcome of people who committed to the program. You have to maintain the protocol in order to achieve the intended goals because the protocol contains many elements only achievable over time.
Start at Your Own Pace: At first, the list may seem intimidating however it is a process, therefore adopt a number of easy elements that you will be able to maintain before adding in more aspects of the protocol.
The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline
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