14 Jun Alzheimer’s is Inevitable and Irreversible. Or Not.

One of the scariest things that could ever happen to someone is to be told they have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

That means certain death, and a long slow one at that. The person will lose their memory and ability to function. They will become dependent and a burden on their loved ones. They may not have enough money for their care. And no pill has made any meaningful difference in quality of life, let alone cure.

But maybe it doesn’t have to be that way. I just started a course to learn how to be a health coach to people who want to reverse cognitive decline. Yes, that’s what I said.

Reverse Cognitive Decline

It’s possible but it’s not happening through a single pill. Alzheimer’s is way too complex for a simplistic solution. Alzheimer’s is the result of insults to the brain, though lifestyle, toxins, or lack of hormones. That’s what those plaques and tangles that are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s are for. They are the brain’s protective response.

So I am taking a course to learn all the details. Dr. Dale Bredesen is the author and researcher who developed the protocol, called ReCODE, for Reversing Cognitive Decline. He has had successes with hundreds of patients. Read about them and his protocol in his book, The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline.

Bredesen describes his protocol like plugging the holes in the roof when it’s raining. You could plug one hole, or a few, but if there are 36 holes, you will still have water damage.  A typical Alzheimer’s patient can have as many as 25 “holes” that need plugging. That is, they can have many things going wrong throughout the body, resulting in the brain not receiving the support it needs to function well. Many of the “holes” are addressed through lifestyle. And that’s where I come in.

For example, a person could lack in vitamin D, and that contributes to dementia. I can help the person find ways to get more vitamin D, through sunshine or supplements. A person might have way too much sugar in their diet, also a contributor, and I can help him or her find better choices. Another example is a person is lacking nutrients, and I can help with that. Sleep is essential for healthy brain function, and I can help someone optimize that too.

There’s also optimizing exercise, stress reduction, weight loss, detox, liver support, B vitamins, healthy fats, supplements/herbs, to name a few. These are some of the “holes in the roof”.

I just started the course, so right now I’m learning about the background of the types of Alzheimer’s, and the kind of tests that doctors may order. As I progress through the course, I’ll share some helpful pearls of wisdom that people may like to know. And when I’m done I’ll have a Certificate of Completion of Reversing Cognitive Decline for Coaches, presented by the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, the Institute for Functional Medicine, and Dr. Dale Bredesen.

So, it’s important to remember that cognitive decline is not a normal part of aging. Just because it’s widespread doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. That’s welcome news to me, as my dad died of early onset Alzheimer’s and my mother was diagnosed before she died. I really don’t want the same decline they had. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to stay mentally healthy till the end.

And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep you healthy till the end. That’s my passion–spreading health through lifestyle choices. Contact me. Let’s see if we can work together. I’m soon to be certified in Reversing Cognitive Decline, but I am already a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach. I will help you find the lifestyle choices that resonate with you and we’ll implement them at your pace, both for physical and mental health.

In the Comments below, let us know your thoughts on cognitive decline.