Is Alzheimer’s Reversible? Getting to the Root Causes with Dr. Dale Bredesen

Apr 21, 2021

Dr. Dale Bredesen, an expert in neurodegenerative diseases and author of "The End of Alzheimer's," discusses groundbreaking strategies to combat Alzheimer's. He explains how the Bredesen Protocol aims to reverse cognitive decline through innovative, personalized approaches, critiquing traditional views. The conversation delves into the crucial connection between gut health and brain function, emphasizing factors like vascular health and inflammation. Dale shares inspiring case studies, urging a holistic perspective on brain health and the importance of early intervention.

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INSIGHT

Alzheimer's: A Disease of Insufficiency

Alzheimer's is a disease of insufficiency, where the brain downsizes due to various insults like infections or toxins.
This downsizing is driven by a central switch (APP) that integrates signals and protects the brain by reducing its function.

INSIGHT

Rethinking Alzheimer's

Traditional Alzheimer's research has yielded minimal results because it focuses on the wrong things, like amyloid plaques.
The Bredesen Protocol focuses on metabolic factors that trigger brain downsizing.

ADVICE

Addressing Metabolic Factors

Address the energy gap in the Alzheimer's brain with ketosis.
Improve insulin sensitivity and resolve inflammation, identifying and addressing its root cause.

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Is Alzheimer’s Reversible? Getting to the Root Causes | This episode is brought to you by BiOptimizers, Thrive Market, and TrueDark

Alzheimer’s doesn’t just happen overnight; it’s the severe end of a spectrum, that comes after decades of changes have already been occurring in the brain. So why is it that we’ve grown accustomed to dreading this diagnosis, instead of doing what we can to proactively stop it in its tracks? For one, we’ve long been told that once the brain starts downsizing we can’t reverse the process. Now, we know that’s not the case. It’s possible to avoid brain degradation and actually even rebuild it.

Today’s guest on The Doctor’s Farmacy has been a pioneering detective for Alzheimer’s and other neurological issues. Dr. Dale Bredesen is internationally recognized as an expert in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and the author of the New York Times bestseller, The End of Alzheimer's. His latest book, The End of Alzheimer’s Program, goes into greater detail on the protocol he uses with his patients and how it can be tailored to anyone’s needs, at any age. Dale held faculty positions at UCSF, UCLA, and the University of California, San Diego, and directed the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute before coming to the Buck Institute in 1998 as its founding president and CEO. He is currently a professor at UCLA and the Chief Science Officer at Apollo Health.

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Here are more of the details from our interview:

Addressing the root causes of dementia, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's disease (8:02)

How a ketogenic diet and metabolic flexibility can support brain function (11:52)

The way your brain responds to inflammation and how inflammation drives cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (15:46)

What is a cognoscopy and how can you get one? (26:01)

Your brain can grow and improve, even after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis (31:10)

The gut-brain connection (33:18)

Heavy metals and their effects on the brain (36:31)

Hormonal dysfunction and risk of Alzheimer’s disease (41:28)

How nutrient deficiencies drive cognitive decline and the diet that is best for your brain (45:01)

Is it possible to reverse Alzheimer’s disease, and if so, to what degree? (58:30)

Learn more about Dr. Dale Bredesen’s work at https://www.apollohealthco.com/.

Get his book, The End of Alzheimer’s Program: The First Protocol to Enhance Cognition and Reverse Decline at Any Age, at https://www.apollohealthco.com/book/the-end-of-alzheimers-program/.

Follow Apollo Health Co on Facebook @ApolloHealthCo and on Twitter @apollohealthco.