Alzheimer’s Toolkit for Midlife: Empower Your Brain Health with Dr. Heather Sandison
Dec 16, 2024
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Dr. Heather Sandison, bestselling author and founder of Solcere Health Clinic, shares essential tips for maintaining brain health and reducing dementia risks. She emphasizes the power of lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and sleep. Discover the cognitive benefits of ketosis and how innovative treatments challenge misconceptions about Alzheimer's. Dr. Sandison also provides practical advice for caregivers of aging parents, shedding light on dietary strategies and the importance of emotional support. Tune in for some game-changing insights!
Understanding the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's is critical, as early signs can appear long before noticeable cognitive decline begins.
Emphasizing lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress management serves as a proactive approach to prevent cognitive decline and improve brain health.
Caregivers of those with cognitive decline must prioritize their own well-being alongside their loved ones, reinforcing the importance of self-care in navigating this challenging journey.
Deep dives
Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by specific brain changes such as beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles, but many people misunderstand the distinction between dementia and Alzheimer's. Dementia serves as an umbrella term that includes various types of cognitive decline, with Alzheimer's being the most common form. Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s include trouble recalling names and an overwhelming feeling about tasks that were once manageable. The onset of these symptoms often occurs decades after physiological changes begin, highlighting a crucial window for preventive measures.
Strategies for Cognitive Health
Dr. Heather Sanderson advocates a proactive approach to improving cognitive health through lifestyle modifications, including diet, exercise, and stress management. She provides a framework that emphasizes six critical components affecting brain function: toxins, nutrients, stress, structure, infection, and signaling. By addressing these elements, individuals can potentially delay or even reverse early signs of cognitive decline. Dr. Bredesen's strategies serve as a foundation for her methodology, reinforcing the idea that Alzheimer's is not an inevitable outcome.
The Role of Ketosis in Brain Health
Ketosis is highlighted as a significant intervention for cognitive decline, as it offers neuroprotective benefits and an alternative fuel source for an aging brain. This state can be achieved through dietary changes or the use of exogenous ketones, which provide rapid access to ketones without extensive carbohydrate restriction. Many individuals have experienced remarkable improvements in cognition, memory, and mood by incorporating ketosis into their routines. This highlights the importance of understanding metabolic health and using it as a critical tool for neuroprotection.
Caring for Aging Parents
Navigating the complexities of caring for aging parents with cognitive decline demands not only a strategy for their health but also self-care for the caregivers. The emotional toll on caregivers can increase their susceptibility to cognitive decline, emphasizing the necessity of managing stress and maintaining their own wellbeing. Practical solutions include creating a supportive environment, employing trained caregivers who understand the proper dietary approaches, and ensuring caregivers have time for their own lives. This holistic approach fosters better outcomes for both aging parents and their caregivers.
Empowerment Through Knowledge and Community
The conversation around dementia and Alzheimer's is evolving, and there is immense potential to change the narrative through education and community support. Dr. Sanderson emphasizes the importance of sharing information and resources, such as her book and caregiver training programs, to empower those dealing with cognitive decline. Building a supportive community helps individuals involved in caregiving roles find hope and strategies to improve the quality of life for their loved ones. An informed and proactive approach to managing aging can help offer support, resilience, and improve cognitive health over time.
Are you worried about aging and memory health? Join us as we dive into strategies that empower women in their 50s to live healthy, vibrant lives while reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. In this episode, Dr. Heather Sandison discusses cognitive health strategies to combat dementia and Alzheimer's. This episode dives into the early signs of these neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle interventions, such as diet, exercise, and sleep. Dr. Sandison also explores scientific misconceptions around existing treatments, focusing on the benefits of ketosis, metabolic health, and innovative treatments. Dr. Sandison shares her professional insights and practical tips for those caring for aging parents, as well as providing guidance on the path to optimizing brain health at any age.
To view full show notes, more information on our guests, resources mentioned in the episode, discount codes, transcripts, and more, visit https://drmindypelz.com/ep266
Dr. Heather Sandison is the NYT bestselling author of “Reversing Alzheimer’s: The New Toolkit to Improve Cognition and Protect Brain Health”. She is a renowned naturopathic doctor specializing in neurocognitive medicine and the founder of Solcere Health Clinic, a premier brain optimization clinic based in San Diego, and Marama, a residential program changing memory care to memory recovery. Dr. Sandison is dedicated to supporting those suffering with dementia and is the primary author of peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. She is shattering common misconceptions about Alzheimer’s teaching lifestyle change protocols that keep your brain sharp at any age.