
In America, it is the 6th leading cause of death, and since the year 2000, death by heart disease has been declining, and deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 89%.
Dementia is a huge problem and it is growing every single day.
From the Broken Brain docuseries, we learned that dementia is not a normal part of aging, and we also learned that there are so many factors, beyond our genes, contributing to this brain disorder.
Experts are now calling Alzheimer’s disease Type 3 diabetes. New research shows insulin resistance is one of the major factors that starts the brain-damage cascade, which robs the memory of over half the people in their 80s, leading to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
When my patients are dealing with memory loss, these are the first eight steps that I take in their treatment plan:
- Balance your blood sugar with a whole-foods, low-glycemic diet. You can achieve this by taking out the bad stuff (refined carbs, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, dairy, and also inflammatory omega-6-rich oils, such as vegetable and seed oils) and putting in the good stuff (healthy fats like avocados, walnuts, almonds and cashews, grass-fed meats, pastured chicken and eggs, olive and coconut oil).
- Eat healthy fats that make your brain happy. These include omega-3 fats in wild fatty fish, as well as coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil, avocados, whole eggs, nuts, and seeds.
- Exercise daily. Even a 30-minute walk can help. More active readers might want to incorporate high-intensity interval training or weight lifting. Studies show physical activity can prevent and even slow down the progression of cognitive decline and brain diseases like dementia.
- Supplement wisely. At the very least, take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, an omega-3 fat supplement, extra B6, B12, and folate, as well as vitamin D3. And, a good probiotic will enhance the brain-gut relationship. You can find all of these and other supplements in my store.
- Check your thyroid and sex hormone levels. If they are out of balance, you will want to treat them.
- Detox from mercury or other heavy metals, if you have high levels, by doing a medically supervised detox program.
- Control stress levels. Chronic stress takes a toll on your body and brain. Relaxation isn’t a luxury if you want to prevent or reverse dementia. Whether that involves deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, find something that helps you calm down.
- Get eight hours of sleep every night. Studies show poor sleep becomes a risk factor for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Aim for at least eight hours of quality sleep every night.
This is just a start, but these eight strategies go a long way in giving your brain a chance to heal, recover, and experience fewer memory problems.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Mark Hyman, MD
Mark Hyman, MD