How to Shatter the Silent Killer of Memory Loss

I’ll never forget the phone ringing that quiet morning.

I picked up, with dread in my gut. Nobody calls me this early. “Hello?”

“He’s dead,” came the response in a raspy whisper.

“What, what did you say?” I could feel my throat tightening.

“He’s dead,” she said.

My stomach sank. My mind went blank, and a foggy haze took hold.

I saw him four months ago while visiting out of state. He looked the same as when I last saw him—a handsome man with a twinkle in his eyes. He wore the same grin on his face that he always had, almost like he knew something you didn’t, but that was the charm about him.

However, there was something subtly different. The twinkle in his eyes was more distant, and he stood with a forward lean. His presence seemed untethered, as if a part of him had quietly slipped away, bit by bit, in a merciless storm.

His passing wasn’t just the end of his life. It was the final ravenous consumption of the person he once was.

Dementia and its ruthless companion memory loss!

It’s sickening for loved ones to witness this starving entity gorge itself until there’s nothing left to the anatomy, and there’s not a damned thing to do about it.

Or is there?

Given the growing population of individuals with loved ones suffering from dementia and memory loss, it is essential that we understand the facts surrounding this dreadful disease—more importantly, learn how to intercept its destructive nature.

First, Let’s Take a Look at Some Statistics

Worldwide

More than 55 million people globally are living with dementia, and each year, about 10 million more are diagnosed. Many of these individuals are in developing countries where resources are limited. The most common culprit? Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60-70% of all dementia cases. The global cost of caring for those with dementia is staggering, topping $1.3 trillion annually. This expense is shouldered by family members who often care for their loved ones without pay. World Health Organization (WHO) [1]

In the United States

Right now, around 6.5 million Americans 65 and older are battling Alzheimer’s. By 2060, that number is expected to jump to nearly 14 million. It’s a significant health issue here, ranking as the sixth leading cause of death across all ages and even higher—fifth—for those over 65. Interestingly, two-thirds of those suffering from Alzheimer’s in the U.S. are women. It’s a growing concern that touches almost every family in some way. NIH Neurology [2]

What is Dementia

How often have you heard the phrase, “Have you lost your mind?” In a sense, that’s dementia.

It’s a robber of the quality of life. It creeps up slowly, decades before you give it a thought. Why would you? You’re feeling okay, maybe a little forgetful occasionally, but that’s normal as you grow older, right?

Yes, it’s normal to a certain extent. Nobody’s 100 percent all of the time. “Where in the heck did I put my keys?” Everyone does that from time to time. However, it’s not normal to forget how to use your keys.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) describes it like this:

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living, such as feeding oneself.

Typical Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

• Memory Loss: “And what did you say again, again, and again?” Asking the same questions over and over, not due to hearing loss.
• Communication Difficulties: “What is he talking about? I can’t follow him.” You struggle to follow a conversation or cannot find the right words. You have trouble reading, and your handwriting is reduced to a scribble.
• Confusion and Disorientation: “Honey, where’s the door? I can’t find the door.”
• Speech Changes: “Where’s the iron? I’m frying hamburgers for supper.” Using odd or wrong words to describe everyday objects.
• Challenges of Daily Chores: Taking far longer than usual to complete tasks or routines you’ve been doing for years.
• Loss of Interest: You have little interest in doing the things you used to enjoy.
• Physical Changes: Changes in stance, balance, coordination, and getting around.
• Mood and Behavior Changes: Mood swings, impulsivity, or not showing empathy.
• Psychological Symptoms: “There’s a bat in the bathroom. Get it out!” Experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia.

Symptoms vary greatly among individuals and may manifest in different combinations and severities as the condition progresses.

Given that our lifestyle choices can affect genetic risks, we should identify the function of genes like APOE4.

This gene has been identified as increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The presence of the APOE4 gene may seem alarming, but learning how a scientifically evidence-based lifestyle change, such as Dr. Dale Bredesen’s suggestion, can significantly reduce this vulnerability.

We may change how our genes influence health by adopting healthier habits.

Memory Loss and What Can You Do About It

Dr. Dale Bredesen is a well-known expert in brain health, especially in diseases that cause memory loss and mental decline. He believes that Alzheimer’s disease isn’t just something we have to accept as inevitable but something that can be both prevented and reversed. Throughout his career, Dr. Bredesen has focused on research that helps understand these diseases better, leading to the development of his innovative ReCODE Protocol™. This approach has made him a leading figure in neurological research.

Let’s Dig In

Diet:

• High Nutrient Intake: Focus on eating a plant-rich, mildly ketogenic diet with plenty of local, organic, and seasonal non-starchy vegetables. Include a moderate amount of high-quality protein and generous amounts of healthy fats.
• Reduced Intake of Harmful Foods: Avoid added sugars, grains, processed foods, and high-glycemic foods. Minimize meat and dairy consumption, especially from sources that may cause inflammation.
• Incorporate Healthy Fats and Proteins: Choose anti-inflammatory and low-mercury fats and proteins, such as salmon, mussels, and grass-fed beef.
• Prebiotics and Probiotics: Include foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented foods to support gut health, which is closely linked to brain health.

Supplements:

The Bredesen Protocol also incorporates specific supplements aimed at supporting brain health:

• Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatories: Resveratrol, Vitamin C, and Curcumin which help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain.
• Cognitive and Nerve Support: Supplements like Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, Omega-3 fatty acids, and Magnesium are crucial for maintaining nerve health and cognitive function.
• Metabolic and Mitochondrial Health: Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Carnitine support the mitochondria, which are essential for energy production and overall brain function.

Those interested in a deeper exploration of the strategies mentioned or learning more about Dr. Dale Bredesen’s comprehensive approach to managing and potentially reversing memory loss can visit his official site here.

Now, let’s explore Dr. David Perlmutter’s (neurologist) take on memory loss and dementia.

Dr. Perlmutter is a board-certified neurologist and a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition. He is also the author of bestsellers such as Grain Brain (The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar—Your Brain’s Silent Killer) and Brain Maker (The Power of Gut Microbiomes to Heal and Protect Your Brain—For Life.

Dr. David Perlmutter’s unique childhood brought him close to the world of neurosurgery, thanks to his father’s profession.

These early experiences in surgical wards and operating rooms sparked his fascination with the brain and showed him the limitations of conventional brain medicine.

As a neurologist, Dr. Perlmutter became frustrated with the traditional reactive approaches to diseases like Alzheimer’s. Wanting more than to treat symptoms after the fact, he set out to understand the ‘why’ of this cruel memory thief.

His research now explores how diet, stress levels, and overall lifestyle impact brain health and susceptibility to disease.

Nutritional Help for Memory Loss

Dietary Focus:

• Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet: This diet emphasizes reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing healthy fats to lower dementia risk.
• Specific Food Recommendations: Plant-Based Oils: Extra virgin olive and coconut oil are recommended for their brain-boosting fats and antioxidants. See a recent study published in JAMA Network Open on the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil.
• Nuts: Walnuts and almonds are preferred for their omega-3 fats and vitamin E, which support brain health.
• Wild-caught oily fish, such as salmon, sardines, and trout, are known for their high DHA content, which is crucial for brain cell protection and memory enhancement.
• Berries: High in antioxidants and flavonoids, berries like blueberries and strawberries help protect brain cells and improve cognitive function. Fermented Foods, such as kimchi and kombucha, support gut health, which is closely linked to cognitive function and mental health.
• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables: Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard are recommended for their high content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are crucial for brain health.

Gluten and Processed Foods:

• Avoidance of Gluten: Advocates a gluten-free diet to prevent inflammation and neurological issues.
• Reduction in Processed Foods: This recommendation minimizes the intake of processed foods due to their negative impact on overall and neurological health.

Gut health:

• Probiotic-Rich Foods: This group emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome for brain function by including probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods.

Lifestyle Adjustments:

• Exercise: Regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercises, is recommended to improve brain function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
• Stress Management: Suggests incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness and meditation to support cognitive health.

These points summarize Dr. Perlmutter’s key recommendations for optimizing brain health through diet and lifestyle changes. Go here to visit his official website, read his published works for more detailed information, or explore his work further.

Yes, it’s important to take people out of the river, but it’s really important to find out why they’ve fallen in in the first place.—Desmund Tutu

My First Impression of Memory Loss

Working with the elderly population for over 12 years in nursing homes and private care homes, I had a first-hand glimpse at what dementia and memory loss look like.

My first encounter with this dismal disease takes me back to my first job in a nursing home when I was in my teens.

I’m not sure this was a beneficial experience for someone so young, but nevertheless, there I was.

I leave you with this, an impression that forever lingers in my mind.

The Home

See their heads lined against the wall,
faces solemn, hands are idle.

Nonentities named,
dreams the same.

Nor a plan to contrive,
they’re barely alive.

They sleep in little square rooms;
death looms.

Craving pablum from metal trays,
their fingers so stiff
they can barely lift
a morsel of food to their mouths.

Someone comes into their room and says,
“Are you done with your tray?”

And they take it away,
when they haven’t even begun.

They wait and wait,
and sit and sit.

For what?

A visitor to pay them a call,
none at all.

They just linger and linger,
faces solemn, hands idle,
with their heads lined against the wall.

—By Cindy

Sources

[1] Dementia (who.int)

[2] Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (nih.gov)

Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your qualified health professional before changing your health or wellness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.