Dr. Heather Sandison: Reversing Alzheimer's and Preventing Cognitive Decline at Any Age
Nov 28, 2024
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Dr. Heather Sandison, a NYT bestselling author and expert in neurocognitive medicine, dives into revolutionary methods for addressing Alzheimer's and enhancing brain health. She discusses the brain's ability to heal and the role of diet, especially omega-3s, in reversing cognitive decline. Sandison emphasizes creating supportive environments and shares practical lifestyle changes that anyone can adopt to protect their cognitive function. Misconceptions about dementia are debunked, making way for a hopeful outlook on brain health.
Dr. Heather Sandison emphasizes the brain's remarkable ability to heal itself, offering hope for reversing Alzheimer's and cognitive decline at any age.
A holistic strategy focusing on toxicity, nutrients, stress, structure, infections, and signaling is essential for effective brain health improvement.
Nutrition plays a critical role in cognitive function, with a ketogenic diet recommended to reduce processed carbohydrates and enhance brain health.
Deep dives
Understanding Alzheimer's and the Possibility of Reversal
The podcast discusses the groundbreaking perspective of reversing Alzheimer's disease, a notion that challenges traditional views of the condition as irreversible. Dr. Heather Sanderson emphasizes that the brain has the capacity to heal and remodel itself, regardless of age or existing cognitive issues. This idea counters the typical belief that cognitive decline is inevitable with aging, providing hope for improvement through consistent engagement in beneficial behaviors. By focusing on fundamental health principles, significant enhancements in quality of life and cognitive function can be achieved.
Importance of a Holistic Approach to Brain Health
A holistic approach to brain health is essential for improving cognition and overall well-being. Dr. Sanderson outlines six key components impacting brain health: toxicity, nutrients, stress, structure, infections, and signaling. Addressing these areas in unison can lead to meaningful improvements, particularly in those genetically predisposed to cognitive decline. The conversation highlights how an all-encompassing strategy—considering both lifestyle changes and environmental factors—can facilitate better brain health.
The Impact of Nutrition on Cognitive Function
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in maintaining cognitive function and overall health. A clean diet, particularly one that includes a ketogenic approach, is recommended for those experiencing cognitive decline. This approach encourages the consumption of nourishing foods while eliminating processed carbohydrates, which can lead to chronic diseases. Dr. Sanderson shares that metabolic flexibility through diet can drastically enhance energy levels and cognitive clarity, illustrating how dietary choice is a crucial aspect of brain optimization.
The Crucial Role of Sleep in Brain Health
Quality sleep is fundamental to cognitive health and the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. The podcast underscores that sleep deprivation can contribute to an increase in beta-amyloid accumulation in the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Improving sleep quality can significantly enhance memory consolidation and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Dr. Sanderson advocates for addressing sleep issues aggressively, whether through lifestyle changes or medical interventions, as it can lead to remarkable cognitive improvements.
The Need for Empowerment and Proactive Health Care
The discussion emphasizes the importance of being proactive about brain health and cognitive function, particularly in relation to familial histories of conditions like Alzheimer's. Understanding one's genetic risks via testing, such as the APOE gene status, allows individuals to make informed lifestyle choices to mitigate those risks. Engaging with a trained healthcare provider, whether through traditional or functional medicine, can provide comprehensive support tailored to individual needs. This proactive stance empowers individuals to take control of their health and work towards reversing cognitive decline.
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, San Diego’s premier brain optimization clinic, and Marama, a residential program turning memory care into memory recovery. She has dedicated her career 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 excited to shatter common misconceptions about Alzheimer’s and share what she has learned about keeping your brain sharp at any age.
We were blown away to find out that there are experts out there working toward, not just improving, but reversing Alzheimer's. Dr. Sandison's work is absolutely fascinating and this episode is packed with actionable advice on brain health.
Sponsors:
This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by LMNT, a tasty electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. That means lots of salt — with no sugar. Hot LMNT season is upon us! Instead of drinking coffee all day to keep warm, switch to hot LMNT. All the electrolytes you need, in the MOST festive beverage you've ever tasted. Go to DrinkLMNT.com/TRS and check it out!
This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by Momentous, a leading high-performance lifestyle company making the best supplements and sports nutrition products for individuals looking to optimize all parts of their lives. A recent study suggests that DHA can reduce Alzheimer's risk, and since our family doesn't love to eat fish, we are all in on the Momentous Omegas. If you want to protect your brain health, go to livemomentous.com/TRS and use code TRS for 20% OFF your first purchase.
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