The End of Alzheimers: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline by Dale E. Bredesen, M.D. Audio Book: 9 hours, 22 mins. Hardback Book: 320 pages
Excellent book on how to prevent or reverse the ravages of Alzheimers Disease. The third deadliest disease in America, Cancer being number1 and Cardiac Arrest being number 2. Fascinating study of things we can do now to prevent the onset of Alzheimers, things we can do to slow it if it has already started and please God, let this information reverse the disease in its tracks for those dear people already suffering with it at every stage of decline. Oh what a terror that Alzheimers is. I watched it take my Aunt away from us by degrees over 8 years from the stage where she was cognizant of losing control of her actions, “Help me, I can’t stop myself,” when she kept going around and around the table at a family reunion trying to pick things up compulsively as if she thought she had to pack up everything obsessively. So I walked around with her and gave her some napkins to put out and said, “How about you put these out for everyone?” To about 6 months later when her daughter was talking to her sister about her and I’m thinking to myself, “why are they doing that? She is right here and hears everything they are saying as if she wasn’t even there.” My Aunt looked up at me and said, “They think I’m crazy but I’m not.” I felt so sorry for her. She deteriorated to the point she couldn’t walk at times, like she stiffened up and couldn’t think how to relax her muscles. She kept thinking people who were long passed away were coming over or she needed to go to them or she would think her grown kids who have grandchildren of their own were babies and she wanted to go over to her mother’s to get them. I always went along without disagreeing with her and just diverted her attention to something else. Her daughter would get frustrated with her and say, “ (whoever’s name) is dead. They’ve been dead for years. You know that.” And even though she might say the same thing several times about the same people, I saw the deep despair and shock come over her whenever she would be told someone she thought she would be going to see or thought they would be coming in the door any minute – were dead. It was like she lived her grief over and over and over every time. That was heartwrenching and an eye opener to show the true monster that is Alzheimers. It goes beyond forgetfulness to gut wrenching pain to finally it is like the person is lost within themselves and eventually loses their ability to discern the words they want to say to eventually losing their ability to speak altogether. They become almost childlike in their responses either the joy of an infant showing in their eyes to tantrums and some folks even lash out physically in angry outbursts they no longer have the ability to understand clearly nor express what they are feeling that upsets them. It is the most devastating thing to be unable to help them because they are slowly losing all comprehension and its like they are being pulled away from you and you are helpless to hold on to them. Like watching a beautiful rose wither away before your eyes and try as you might, you can’t bring it back. Dr. Bredesen has done extensive research, testing, studies and has arrived at the following conclusions: Alzheimers isn’t one disease but three. It is a shrinking of the brain caused by inflammation in the veins in the brain and he suggests taking supplements of vitamin B1 and B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C,D,E, K2, Resvertitrol, daily. He recommends getting keytone strips to test yourself on a regular basis and more simply recommends no sugar at least 3 hours before bed and preferably cutting as much sugar out of our diets as possible instead going on a low carbohydrate diet. He says exercise is absolutely essential and says long periods of sitting are detrimental. If only small amounts of exercise, walking, etc. can be done it is still better than not doing anything. We should stay away from toxic chemicals completely. We all need to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night and 9 if possible. Sleep is very important. He also says we must practice stress reduction this is important to the healing process. He fears not enough is being done to counteract the effects of Alzheimers due to financial gain for its treatment, political figures use the topic as a ploy for appealing to masses but haven’t done much to help cure it in any way and don’t support medical research enough unless they are campaigning as many dollars are raised from those on the other side profiting from the proliferation of things as they now stand. He also suggests we use filters on any electrical equipment in our bedrooms and says no one should have t.v. or computers in their bedrooms at all. Diet-wise he stresses keeping hyrdrated throughout the day but tapering off in the evening so that once asleep we won’t be awakened to make numerous hasty trips to the bathroom due to needing to urinate. Like sugar, not much liquid should be ingested the last 3 hours before bed. He said foodwise there are green light, yellow light and red light foods to be mindful of. Red light are avoid at all cost foods: Sugar, Bread, Pasta, Rice, Cookies, Cakes, Candy, Soda, Glutten, Diary, processed foods, tuna, shark swordfish and pineapple. Yellow Light foods to have in moderation are: Corn, squash, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, beans, berries, wine, coffee, grass fed beef, pasteurized chicken, white and red potatoes, and peas. But, Green Light foods we can indulge to our hearts content Dr. Bredesen says. Green Light foods are: Mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, green leafy vegetables, Lettuce, Kale, Spinach, Wild Caught Fish: Salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, Probiotic foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, jicama, leeks, Sweet Potatoes, rutabagas, parsnips, green bananas, herbal tea, green tea and black tea, and last but not least, onions and garlic. There are so many tips, and good information in this book it is worthy for all of us to read as Alzheimers isn’t just hereditary disesase but a dietary and lifestyle one as well. Good for you, Dr. Bredesen! Oh and on that no sugar thing, he does at least give us sweet lovers one reprieve – ice cream made with coconut milk. Though he cautions we should also keep track of our insulin levels while admitting that blood test strips aren’t cheap. He is thorough and has two websites he lists in the book: www.drbresdesen.com
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