Ep. 458 Brain Health Tips to Fight Cognitive Decline with Dr. Heather Sandison
Apr 19, 2025
58:51
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Quick takeaways
Recognizing early signs of cognitive decline, like difficulty planning or word retrieval, is crucial for timely intervention and support.
Family dynamics and fears about independence can prevent individuals from seeking evaluation for cognitive decline, leading to missed opportunities for care.
A multifactorial approach, focusing on lifestyle changes rather than just medications, may be more effective in managing Alzheimer's and promoting brain health.
Deep dives
Signs of Early Cognitive Decline
Common early signs of cognitive decline include feelings of overwhelm with previously manageable tasks, such as planning events or managing household activities. Individuals might experience difficulties in word retrieval, such as forgetting simple everyday terms, leading to frustrations in conversation. Another indicator is susceptibility to financial scams, particularly among seniors who may lack confidence in their decision-making abilities, often resulting in poor judgment. These symptoms highlight the importance of recognizing changes in cognitive functioning as early interventions can be crucial.
Barriers to Seeking Help
Many individuals with cognitive decline hesitate to seek evaluation due to fears around loss of independence and the stigma attached to dementia. Concerns about being diagnosed, losing one's driver's license, or being placed under conservatorship often deter loved ones from getting help. Family dynamics can complicate matters further, as caregivers may feel anxious about broaching the subject of cognitive decline with their relatives who resist discussing such issues. This fear can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention and better management of cognitive health.
Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
It's essential to differentiate between Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, as Alzheimer's is the most severe variant of cognitive decline. Many individuals mistakenly assume that dementia is solely hereditary, yet most cases do not have a genetic basis. The APOE4 gene can increase the risk of developing dementia, but possessing this gene doesn’t guarantee a diagnosis. Recognizing the complexity of dementia and its various causes can help in understanding the significant health implications of cognitive decline beyond genetic factors.
Limitations of Current Treatment Approaches
Current approaches to treating Alzheimer's disease largely focus on symptomatic management rather than addressing the root causes. Many existing medications have shown limited efficacy in improving patients' conditions, which often leads to disillusionment in both patients and providers. There is a notable emphasis on amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's research, despite growing evidence suggesting a multifactorial approach is necessary to address underlying imbalances contributing to neurodegeneration. Exploring alternative therapies and lifestyle changes may offer a more effective strategy to enhance cognitive health.
Importance of a Brain-Nurturing Environment
Creating a supportive environment for brain health involves minimizing exposure to toxins while promoting stimulating activities. Reducing intake of environmental pollutants and opting for cleaner living conditions can foster cognitive well-being, while engaging in challenging mental activities is essential for maintaining cognitive function. Deliberately arranging one's surroundings to encourage healthy habits, such as reducing screen time and increasing creative outlets, can reinforce a commitment to a brain-healthier lifestyle. These changes facilitate a proactive approach to preserving cognitive abilities as individuals age.
Aging is the leading risk factor for cognitive decline, and projected statistics show that the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will reach 8.5 million by 2030 and 11.2 million by 2040.
Today, I am thrilled to connect with Dr. Heather Sandison, a naturopathic doctor and the founder and medical director of Solcere Health, a San Diego-based brain optimization clinic, and Marama, the first residential memory care facility that aims to return its residents to independent living. Dr. Sandison is also the New York Times bestselling author of Reversing Alzheimer's.
In our conversation today, Dr. Sandison and I explored the most common signs of early cognitive decline, looking at ways to differentiate dementia from formal Alzheimer's disease. We dive into the causes of dementia and Alzheimer's, examining six key imbalances that can affect ApoE status and tackle the limitations of current approaches to Alzheimer's research. We also share information on current drug modalities and touch on the importance of brain-nurturing environments and helpful activities for maintaining cognitive status as we age.
I look forward to having Dr. Sandison back for a second conversation, where we will dive deeper into practical ways to support and improve brain health.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
Some early signs of neurocognitive decline
Barriers to care for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s
What differentiates dementia from Alzheimer's?
Various factors that could cause Alzheimer's
The role ApoE genetics play in Alzheimer's risk
How addressing lifestyle factors can help prevent cognitive decline.
The limitations of current Alzheimer's treatments
How the results of clinical trials on the Bredesen intervention have shown significant improvements in cognitive function
Why individualized treatments are essential for managing Alzheimer's and dementia
Making healthy choices accessible and creating environments that support cognitive function
The benefits of making positive changes in your daily life and taking small steps to enhance brain health
