Neuroscience - Heather Sandison, ND - The Aging Brain
Sep 17, 2024
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Heather Sandison, an expert in dementia care and author, brings her extensive experience to the discussion. She shares innovative strategies from her new book aimed at improving cognition and brain health. The conversation delves into holistic approaches to aging, personalized medicine, and the role of nutrition in brain health, including the benefits of the ketogenic diet. Additionally, Sandison emphasizes the importance of engagement, sleep hygiene, and caregiver well-being, all crucial for maintaining cognitive vitality.
Holistic interventions and personalized medicine play crucial roles in dementia care, emphasizing the significant agency individuals have over their brain health.
Dr. Sandison's innovative elder care facility, Marama, showcases a comprehensive model combining nutrition, social engagement, and exercise to enhance cognitive health.
A complex systems science approach is essential for understanding brain health, highlighting the importance of evaluating toxins, nutrients, and stressors affecting cognitive function.
Deep dives
The Role of Supplements in Cognitive Health
Supplementation is emphasized as an effective starting point for individuals struggling with cognitive decline, including those experiencing fatigue. Products such as QualiaMind and QualiaLife have been highlighted as beneficial nootropic formulas that enhance focus and energy levels, improving overall daily function. This simple addition of nutrients can provide a significant resource for those feeling overwhelmed by other necessary lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. By optimizing nutrient intake, individuals may find improvements in sleep quality and overall cognitive performance, further enabling them to adopt healthier habits.
Innovative Approaches to Alzheimer's Care
The conversation underscores the shifts in understanding regarding Alzheimer’s treatment and the significant agency individuals have over their brain health. Training under Dr. Dale Bredesen has enabled healthcare providers to implement a comprehensive model that includes lifestyle interventions and personalized care plans. The advent of Marama, a residential care facility, embodies a holistic approach where nutrition, social engagement, and exercises are combined to foster cognitive health. Many patients have experienced measurable improvements in their cognitive function through these tailored interventions, demonstrating that proactive strategies can lead to enhanced quality of life.
Complex System Science in Brain Health
A complex system science approach is presented as a paradigm for understanding brain health, focusing on maintaining balance within interconnected biological systems. The framework categorizes six primary drivers of brain health, including toxins, nutrients, and stressors, offering a systematic method for evaluating what might be affecting individual cognitive function. Imbalances in these areas can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the importance of personalized evaluations and interventions. The idea of 'history dependence' suggests that addressing unique individual histories can significantly shape the trajectory of one’s cognitive health.
Exercise and Cognitive Engagement
Exercise is presented not just as a physical necessity but as a cognitive enhancer through dual-tasking modalities. Engaging in physical activities that also require mental acuity—such as walking while conversing—amplifies benefits for patients with cognitive impairments. Recommendations suggest aiming for around 200 minutes of exercise per week, with a portion dedicated to these cognitively stimulating activities. Incorporating fun and enjoyable activities into routines maximizes adherence and effectiveness, creating an environment conducive to both physical health and cognitive improvement.
The Importance of Sleep for Brain Function
Adequate sleep is conveyed as critical to cognitive function, with the analogy of a 'sleep bus' serving to emphasize the timeliness of getting sufficient rest. Once the initial signs of sleepiness occur, getting to bed promptly is essential, as missing this window can lead to sleep deprivation and cognitive deficiencies. Sleeping improves memory consolidation and clears toxins from the brain, contributing to long-term cognitive health. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea is highlighted, with its severe effects on cognition illustrating the significance of prioritizing sleep quality.
In this episode of Collective Insights, Dr. Greg Kelly hosts Dr. Heather Sandison, highlighting her profound impact on the field of dementia care and the launch of her new book, "Reversing Alzheimer's: The New Toolkit to Improve Cognition and Protect Brain Health." Dr. Sandison shares insights from her extensive experience, covering topics like holistic interventions for the aging brain, the significance of personalized medicine, and her pioneering work at Marama, the innovative elder care facility she founded.
Sponsored by Qualia Mind: qualialife.com/benangel Use code benangel when you shop Qualia Mind for 15% off your order. Get in touch. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qualialife. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qualialife. Email: support@qualialife.com.
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