How to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
There is an almost universal fear of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. And for a good reason since in the end stages you lose control of all your faculties and your even your identity. As with many age-related diseases, there is a wait and see mentality that permeates medical practice. Periodic testing is important however, no consideration is given to prevent age-related diseases. The gold standard test for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is a PET scan. The PET scan utilizes a radioactive tracer administered prior to a CT or an MRI.
Here are a few things to consider decreasing your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. First you must understand that the brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and glucose (blood sugar.) What controls the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain is the cardiovascular system, pulmonary system (lungs), and your ability to metabolize carbohydrates. Too much or too little of oxygen and glucose can be detrimental to brain health. It’s important to take control of any medical challenges of these systems. A great deal of improvement can be made with simple lifestyle changes and medical intervention. If serious consideration in changing lifestyle (eating, exercise, sleep, stress reduction etc.) medical intervention maybe minimal or eliminated.
In recent years there’s been great interest in the research of the gut-brain connection. A healthy balance of probiotics in the gut is important for not only for general health but a healthy brain. There is crosstalk between the gut and the brain via the vagus nerve. In fact, it is believed that there’s more information coming from the gut to the brain then vice versa.
Another gut brain connection involves the protection against injurious ingested foods(toxins) entering our circulation. When this part of our immune system has broken down it is termed a leaky gut. The brain has a similar barrier call the blood brain barrier. Research has shown that when there is a leaky gut, often there is a leak in the blood brain barrier allowing toxins into the brain.
This is a simplified explanation for these processes but worth considering for overall health as well and brain health. My point is why wait and see, do something. It’s easier to prevent than to fix. This is not in lieu of periodic testing.
There is a lot to consider and a lot of self-proclaimed experts on the Internet with no real understanding except for making money. I did stop practicing functional medicine for various reasons however, I feel like I must do something. I am offering a scaled down version a functional medicine that’s easily “digested” focusing on YOUR health concern at an affordable one-time fee. I think it might be good to block out all the bogus healthcare chatter and work together to start you on the right foot.
If you are interested, you can call my office at 516-922-1699
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