In addition to the deep dives we took into preventing and slowing the accumulation of the Alzheimer’s associated amyloid beta plaques

https://onebody.live/2018/04/07/attacking-alzheimers-assaulting-amyloid-beta-plaque-accumulation/

and the importance of acetylcholine

https://onebody.live/2018/04/16/attacking-alzheimers-addressing-acetylcholine/

for all aspects of brain function, but especially in the case of neurodegeneration or cognitive decline, we released a 15 part series of 60 second informative and actionable posts focused on attacking Alzheimer’s from no matter where you may find yourself on the brain health spectrum.

Proactive areas to address in your life range from diet, to exercise, stress, supplementation, sleep, and even exposure to EMFs and radiation.  This is a debilitating condition with most likely a multitude of mechanisms contributing to its existence and progression.  As such, the series below focuses on a multifaceted, truly holistic approach to stack your chips against not just Alzheimer’s, but all forms of neurodegeneration; hedging your bet towards enhanced clarity, focus quantity & quality of life.

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's Part I . .. Without a functioning #brain , what do we really have left? For various reason more than 5.3 million Americans & their families find themselves asking this question & dealing with the fallout from #neurodegeneration in the form #dementia diagnosed as #alzheimers #parkinsons and more. . .. We get asked constantly about #neurodegenerativedisease like Alzheimer's by patients, family, friends, & through the online #onebody community. It is a complex topic, with multiple theories, causes & thus strategies for prevention, slowing progression, and even reversing (yes, I said reversing) this potentially debilitating #disease . .. Seeing how if you reach 85 years old (and you better), you have a coin flips chance of developing Alzheimer's; & the fact that cognitive impairment is being seen in people at a younger & younger age these days, we will be devoting the next few weeks to Alzheimer's awareness, explanations, & strategies for proactive potential prevention, as well as doing all you can to slow the progression if you or a loved one are already showing signs or have received a diagnosis. . .. This disease strips you of you, altering #mood #memory #cognition #behavior and #personality ; ultimately resulting in #death (3rd leading cause of pathological demise behind cvd & cancer). Research shows #genetics only accounting for increasing the potential risk factor, but not an outright death sentence. . .. This means, despite what you may have been told, you are not a helpless victim of genetics. You have the power to influence the expression of your genes (#epigenetics ) and thus the responsibility to do so if you wish to play an active role in writing the story of your life. . .. The second "video" above gets you rolling with the concept of Alzheimer's being appropriately referred to as brain #diabetes or diabetes type 3. Type II #diabetics are ~4x more likely to develop Alzheimer's, making the strategies for preventing one, a powerful way to begin to hedge your bet against the other. . .. Let's talk about it. #learn #act #live

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART II . .. Alzheimer's and other forms of #neurodegenerative #diseases need to be looked @ with the acknowledgement and understanding of the undeniable #holistic nature of this #onebody . .. It, like most other diseases or conditions rarely is the result of a solitary cause, with a solitary solution. We get into trouble when we think this way, rather than taking a multimodal approach to a multifaceted condition. . .. While everyone is truly their own n of 1 experiment, there does exist the common, far reaching areas of potential dysfunction; the lowest hanging, but farthest reaching fruit if you will, that should be considered and addressed during your quest towards #prevention or slowing of progression of #alzheimers #dementia or any multilayered disease. . .. We spoke about it here and in more depth over @ onebody.live, so take your #proactive and #inquisative #mind over there for a deeper dive, but addressing #guthealth especially in the form of #intestinalpermeability or #leakygut is an imperative, foundational part of the process . .. In short, a leaky gut = a leaky and #inflamed #brain Something called endotoxemia can occur due to the presence of something called #lps outside of the #digestive tract. . .. This has been associated not only with Alzheimer's, but #multiplesclerosis #parkinsons #als #depression #anxiety #insomnia #cancer and more. It also can alter #neurotransmitter levels like #acetylcholine which is responsible for #memory #focus #learning and #cognition . .. This is something you may want to have at optimal levels if battling a condition that leads to deterioration of all those areas of cerebral function.

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART III . .. In part I, we referenced the undeniable correlation between #diabetes and #alzheimers risk. One of the major reasons for this has to do with #insulin . .. Insulin is one the #anabolic #hormones & is released by the #pancreas as part of the #digestive process; mainly in response to the breakdown of #carbs or #sugar in the form of #glucose . .. We can start to damage the body, #brain included when we provoke #insulinresistance or elevated levels (#hyperinsulinemia ) in general. . .. One of the most common structural abnormalities seen in the Alzheimer's brain, and a potent potential perpetuator of the process is the #amyloid #beta #plaque . .. The higher our insulin levels (resistant or not), the more we impair our body's ability to breakdown these brain disrupting plaques, and thus hedge our bet against #neurodegenerative #dementia and Alzheimer's. . .. We just posted a deep dive into these plaques, their potential role in Alzheimer's, & the logic behind the also included #proactive strategies to limit their formation over @ : . .. onebody.live: . .. Attacking Alzheimer's: Assaulting Amyloid Beta Plaque Accumulation . .. Join us. Join the proactive fight. Your brain, and quantity & quality of life may just depend upon it. . .. #memory #brainhealth #cognitive #ide #metabolic

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART IV . .. Whether you know someone with #alzheimers or another form of #dementia or #neurodegenerativedisease OR embrace the acknowledged role #epigenetics can play in your fate (the opposite of surrendering as a helpless victim of #genetics); acting upon this information can help save your #brain and thus #qualityoflife . .. When it comes to Alzheimer's, the finding of amyloid beta plaque accumulation in the brain is common; some even consider diagnostic. And while correlation doesn't equal causation, beginning to understand the origins of these #cerebral altering plaques, as well as what we can do prevent, remove and hedge our bet against them is about as #proactive as we can be at this point. . .. We went deep into all things Alzheimer's Amyloid Beta Plaque in a comprehensive write up over @: . onebody.live: . Attacking Alzheimer's: Assaulting Amyloid Beta Plaque Accumulation . where we discuss a plethora of strategies to limit the ill effects of one of, if not THE hallmark characteristics of this debilitating, and #personality #memory #function robbing disease. . .. The numbers don't lie. Whether you are young or old. Symptom free or not. Don't leave it up to chance. Don't wait the 20-50 years necessary for these intelligently formulated theories to be studied over long term with the standard randomized double blind placebo control studies. For those in their highly malleable 20-40s, but especially for the #babyboomers and above, it will be too late. . .. Take your life into your own hands and get proactive for the sake of you & those you love. The #knowledge & the #power is here for the taking. Join us in taking it & our lives into our hands.

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER'S PART V . .. One of the more relatively recent actionable acknowledgements when it comes to #neurodegenerative #dementia like #alzheimers #parkinsons or even #als has been a reduction in the brains capacity to utilize #glucose (#carbs #sugar) for fuel. . .. One of the life sustaining essentials for a #brain cell or #neuron is adequate #fuel . Without sufficient #energy supply the #braincell begins to slow down, reduce function, atrophy and eventually die. (Get a good description of this process and how to reduce its occurrence over @ onebody.live) . .. This reduction in the #brains ability to use the energy derived from that #carbohydrate rich #diet is seen in younger individuals even before MCI (mild #cognitive impairment) sets in, but especially in those with the Alzheimers linked #apoe4 gene. . .. Problem: inability to use present fuel source = cell starvation & death. . Solution: find an alternative, USEABLE fuel source . .. That alternative fuel source being implemented in more & more clinical trials and by those actually in the trenches is the #ketone (the product of burning #fatforfuel) derived from #intermittentfasting , a #ketogenic diet, #mct oil and to a lesser degree: #coconutoil ) or supplementing with straight #ketones in the form of #ketoneesters or #ketonesalts

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART VI . .. Have you been told you need to lower your total #cholesterol or the inappropriately named "bad" cholesterol: #ldl . .. While the concern of #cardiovascular #disease is valid, looking at these above mentioned parameters, especially in isolation may tell you it's time to find a new trusted healthcare practitioner. . .. The decades worth of disproven #lowfat at all cost advise is slowly starting to be publicly corrected, but not without a path of destruction left in its wake. . .. One of the main areas to suffer due to these #dietary practices, that in lieu of #healthy satiating #fats are usually loaded up with #carbs #sugars or #artificialsweeteners , has been the #centralnervoussystem , in particular the #brain . .. The brain is mostly fat & as we touched on yesterday, can actually use; some would postulate it prefers to use #fatforfuel in the form of #ketones . .. Lower cholesterol levels may make your physician happy, even if done so with a #sideeffect laden statin that not only can contribute to #cognitive decline, but liver dysfunction, low #testosterone , muscle & #jointpain and #coq10 depletion to name few… . .. But it has also been associated with increased #mortality , atrophy (shrinkage) of areas of the brain like the #hippocampus (responsible for #memory & #learning ) & increased cognitive decline. . .. If we talk about attacking #alzheimers or any #neurodegenerative condition from a #holistic #functionalmedicine approach, we obviously have to include #diet and #nutrition . .. Rethinking your stance on healthy dietary fats & altering your plate accordingly appears imperative for prevention & slowing of progression.

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART VII . .. It makes sense. Living things require some sort of fuel or #food in order to create life sustaining #energy . If the living thing loses that fuel source or the ability to convert it into the energy for life, it will become dysfunctional & eventually die. . .. This scenario is precisely what appears to progressively occur as we age, in those with the #apoe4 gene, & in those with #neurological degeneration or #disease like #alzheimers … in that there is a reduced ability of the living #braincell or #neuron to use #glucose derived from #carbohydrates like #sugar or #grains for the life sustaining fuel it needs to survive. . .. Enter the products of burning #fatforfuel , #ketones as a highly useable and thus glucose replacing fuel source for the starving #brain cells. . .. In this post we refer specifically to the hope implementing #mctoil as a clean source of #brainenergy … . We've taken a deep dive into #fats, #ketogenesis and #mct or #coconut oil in the past, so copy and paste the link below if you're thirsty for more: . .. https://onebody.live/2018/02/23/get-to-know-mct-oil-and-all-the-potential-benefits/ . .. … #keto #hope #diseaseprevention #brainrehab #brainfood

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART VIII . .. Everything does not have to complicated. We should not abandon simple concepts due to their simplicity, even when it comes to complex, multifaceted #neurodegenerative conditions like #alzheimers #parkinsons #huntingtonsdisease and #multiplesclerosis . .. Applying the tried & true concept of #useitorloseit is an intelligent, basic #brain saving strategy which does not involve additional #drugs #supplements or strict #diet . .. In order to harness the #empowering #neurological phenomenon known as #neuroplasticity , one must continue to challenge the brain with new #physical & #mental activities, stepping outside of the #comfortzone & continually embarking on new journeys and tasks, no matter how big or small, easy or difficult you may perceive them to be. . .. The key is to engage in new activities that involve things like #deepthoughts #creativity #movement #competition #learning #social interaction ; things that provoke mental & physical stimulation… . .. in order to intentionally queue the #braincell or #neuron to create a robust supply of #synapse (connections and thus the ability to communicate with other brain cells; creating more cognitive reserve or surplus ) tilting the scales for a longer quantity and healthier quality of #life especially if staring down a daunting #disease like Alzheimer's. . .. Which, to be honest, based on current statistics and trends, we ALL are or have the coin flip potential to be… so… Get proactive Stop waiting #moveit or #loseit #thetimeisnow

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART IX . .. We've discussed #brain chemicals in the past called #neurotransmitters & how those like #serotonin #dopamine & #gaba play a role in things like #depression #motivation and #attention & #anxiety , respectively. . .. When it comes to #alzheimers #dementia & #memory #focus #clarity & the ability to #learn , a neurotransmitter called #acetylcholine must be optimized. . .. Symptoms of low acetylcholine levels are virtually identical to those of early #neuro – degenerative Alzheimer's… . .. Additionally, for a 100+ year old #disease that has been tough to tame, one of the go to #drugs utilized to slow progression has been one that works by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors), thus aiming towards higher levels of this #neurological #chemical that improves #brainpower . .. Check out our deeper dive into acetylcholine over @ onebody.live: . Attacking Alzheimer's: Addressing Acetylcholine . for a summary of low acetylcholine signs & #symptoms as well as where to get it from #diet & #supplements . .. … #nutrition #brainfood #smart #biohacking #ketones

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART X . .. The often long list of current and past prescriptions patients present with can be a powerful diagnostic tool we can use to our advantage going forward. Understanding the #pharmacology behind the #drugs & how the #patient responded often shines the light on identifying underlying areas of #dysfunctional #physiology & #metabolism . .. In the case of #alzheimers and attempts being made at slowing the progression, namenda works by blocking #ndma receptors in the #brain . .. On the #holistic #functional approach to preserving #cognitive #vitality . .. we must acknowledge & appropriately act on the understanding that a #diet high in #carbohydrate can create an overload of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, leading to heavy stimulation of the aforementioned (and Alzheimer medication blocking) ndma receptor; leading to excititoxicity (also in #migraines & #seizures ) . .. leading to #braincell #damage dysfunction & death . .. Yet another strong, physiologically sound reason for a diet rich in high #healthyfat & #lowcarb … no matter what stage of the game you find yourself at. #actnow

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART XI . .. Yesterday we touched on how over #stimulation of the #neuron or #braincell by way of a #flooding of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate (the breakdown of all #glucose in the #brain ) can lead to excito- #toxicity as seen in #epilepsy #migraine & #alzheimers #braindamage . .. Today we piggy back on the ultimate take home #message in that the #carbohydrate #overload or #carbs in #abundance can also lead to #brainpower disruption in the form of damaging #ages (Advanced Glycation End Products) . .. These can be damaging to the entire body, but are particularly detrimental to the brain. Their accumulation can precipitate damaged #protein & the formation of the #dementia correlated amyloid beta #plaque . .. We've described these in details numerous times over @ onebody.live, so come #learn & #grow with us if you feel compelled. . .. Bottomline: consistent high carb #diet = formation of more AGEs = more damage to the entire #body , especially the brain. . .. #nutrition #eatsmart #holistichealth #functionalmedicine

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART XII . .. We've all heard that #stress can kill you. But why? How? . .. When the body perceives or experiences a stressor it triggers a chemical cascade that includes the endocrine (#hormones ) system & the #immune system. . .. This can be a physical stress: #training #overtraining #injury prolonged #sitting . .. A chemical stress: heavy metals like #mercury or #lead , #mold #pesticides or herbicides in our #environment or on/in our #foods . .. Or the most traditional sense of the word, the #emotional or #mental stress from our #job #relationships #finance concerns. . .. No matter what the form, & obviously our lives are usually packed with multiple stressful sources, it is imperative to acknowledge, address & attenuate these events, or how we respond/interpret them as much as possible. . .. One of the earliest chemicals released in the stress response via the #adrenals is #cortisol . .. In addition to contributing to #insulin resistance, a diminished #immunesystem , intestinal permeability (#leakygut ), & #hypothyroidism , excess, chronic cortisol can literally start to shrink a part of your #brain called the hippocampus ; that is responsible for #memory & #learning . .. Whether it be #meditation #prayer #reflection , whatever works for you, making the effort to find and implement ways to cope & respond to life's inevitable stressors is imperative for the life of you & your brain.

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART XIII . .. Many refer to #diet #exercise #stress & #sleep as the 4 main pillars of #health . .. Sleep issues like #insomnia which not only hamper your #slumber or #dream time leading to a #cranky #mood feeling tired & a lack of #energy & #focus . .. also can have a major impact on #inflammation & #brain health. Think of that coveted deep restorative sleep as being a necessary time for the brain to #recharge clean up & #detox all of the undesirable left overs from another days work. . .. Without a routine nightly clean up, #braindamage accumulates and dysfunction mounts, eventually manifesting as poor focus #concentration #memory #cognition & eventually #neurodegenerative conditions like #alzheimers #parkinsons or #ms ; even potentially contributing #cancer . .. Making sleep a #priority is essential for all, BUT especially if concerned about #mentalhealth , brain function & preventing or slowing the progression of any form of #dementia . .. #powernap #holistichealth

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ATTACKING ALZHEIMER's PART XIV . .. The #holistic dive into all things to hopefully or prevent of slow the progression of not just #alzheimers #dementia but all #neurodegenerative #disease continues with this fascinating example of #biohacking . .. Studies have illuminated that things like #sauna use, #exercise (or a combo of the two: think #yoga in the sauna, #bikramyoga or #hotyoga ); even brief bouts of extreme #cold or hypothermic conditions like a #coldplunge have been shown to prompt activation of something called Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) . .. Think of #heat #shock #protein as a vacuum cleaner, #detox or #cleanse for the #brain . .. Just as #sleep helps clean up all the metabolic damage inevitable incurred throughout the day, HSPs also clean up the waste… . .. ESPECIALLY in the form of damaged proteins; which can prevent accumulation of damaged proteins; the accumulation of said proteins being the pathogenies behind the Alzheimer's associated amyloid beta #plaques . .. You see what we did there? It's all about connecting the dots, going beyond the obvious & tapping into a deeper understanding of #metabolism & #physiology in order to #empower with more resources to #livelong & #livestrong

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