Preventing or Reversing Alzheimer’s Dementia – The Bredesen Protocol
Is it really possible to reverse or even prevent Alzheimer’s Dementia (AZD)?
Groundbreaking research by neurologist and medical doctor Dr Dale Bredesen and colleagues, using a protocol he has developed, is more proof that it is. Click here for the recently published 100 cases studies showing success with the protocol. After a long wait we finally also have the publication of a small successful clinical trial – Toups et al (Bredesen). (July 2022) Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease: Successful Pilot Project, which is very exciting as they showed cognitive improvements in 21 out of the total 25 patients (84%) on the protocol over the trial period.
Dr Bredesen has been researching the causes of Alzheimer’s for more than 25 years and has now been focused on translating his scientific discoveries into effective treatments for the reversal and prevention of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. He has been involved in the publication of over 220 academic research papers in the field of neurological research.
Dale Bredesen
Dale Bredesen is an international recognized expert in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s dementia, with a medical degree from Duke University, serving as a chief resident in neurology at the University California, San Francisco (UCSF) before joining Nobel Laureate Stanley Prusiner’s laboratory at UCSF as a postdoctoral fellow. He has since been a faculty member at UCLA, UCSD before directing the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute and becoming founding president and CEO for the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in 1998.
The Bredesen Protocol
Dr Bredesen’s approach uses mostly simple lifestyle, dietary and supplement interventions to manipulate multiple genetic and physiological systems and change the course of this devastating disease.
Some of these lifestyle and dietary changes involve:
- Following a lower carbohydrate predominantly ketogenic diet.
- Regularly fasting between 12 to 16 hours from your last to first meal of the day otherwise known as intermittent fasting.
- Doing some regular exercise such as walking, weight or resistance training and higher intensity exercise if suitable.
- Doing some form of stress management technique such as breath work, meditation, mindfulness, yoga etc.
- Removing foods that are more inflammatory or you have intolerance to such as gluten containing grains and dairy.
- The use of targeted supplements to address specific deficiencies, decrease inflammation, promote neural growth and detoxify heavy metals and other chemicals when indicated.
Patient Zero
Dr Bredesen’s research is the fruits of a patient he has called ‘Patient ZERO’ who has reversed her symptoms of Alzheimer’s after following his protocol for the last 7 years.
Patient ZERO has a family history of dementia. Her mother died from complications caused by the disease and seven years ago. Patient ZERO was showing such severe symptoms of Alzheimer’s that she had to give up work. She couldn’t find the light switch in her home, called her pets by the wrong names and could no longer drive.
Now she is back at work, driving again, and remember names, ideas and information.
Patient ZERO had gone off the protocol several times with symptoms returning so there is a real need to remain on the protocol but so far it is a sustainable recovery.
Early Assessment with a ‘Cognoscopy’
Dr Bredesen is not claiming any kind of cure for Alzheimer’s and he acknowledges that his protocol may not work in all cases. However he does say that with earlier detection of genetic risks factors such as ApoE4 and a cognitive assessment, he terms a ‘Cognoscopy’, similar to when we get a bowel check-ups at 50 years of age, Alzheimer’s should be a rare condition.
So far, his research suggests that early diagnosis of any onset is crucial. Initial severity of the disease and how likely a patient is to be able to adhere to the protocol makes a big difference too.
The challenges of 36 Holes
He says that his protocol represents a challenging path for patients with Alzheimer’s and their families and carers, not because the specifics are difficult but because of a critical number of points that need to be looked at and addressed. Some of the treatments do require expert advice and training as they are more involved such as the diagnosis of chronic underlying infections and toxicity.
Dr Bredesen says it like having “36 holes” in the roof of a house with the rain coming in, you need to plug up 10 – 20 holes or issues otherwise there is still too much rain coming in.
While patients may see almost immediate changes most times at least 3 to 6 months are needed for the biochemical improvement to become significant cognitive upgrading.
Not a Single Disease
AZD is not one single disease and Dr Bredesen has identified 6 major ‘sub-types’ of the disease.
These different sub-types or causes lead to the same end result and even share the same molecular on-off switches. However, the underlying factors are different and need to be treated in specific and different ways.
Often there will be a dominant factor or cause but almost always there will be more than one – meaning multiple areas need to be changed and improved.
This is also why there is currently no single drug or treatment that is effective.
The Sub-types:
- Type I – is inflammatory and tends be first diagnosed in your 60’s, it can run in families often with a ApoE4 gene present.
- Type II – is atrophic or loss of growth factors. It is usually diagnosed in your late 60’s to 70’s where there is a decrease in different hormones and factors that are critical for continuing neuronal growth and connections
- Type III – is toxic and is fundamentally a different problem, occurring often in your early 50’s. This type tends to affect more brain areas so more cognitive issues than just memory, you have more difficulty finding words and forming sentences, calculating numbers, recognising faces and objects.
- Type 1.5 – is a mix of type I and type II and is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes as well as the inflammation it causes.
- Type IV – a vascular form without being vascular dementia proper and is associated with type II
- Type V – is due to traumatic damage to the brain from head injuries, sporting impacts and other head trauma.
Practitioners trained in the Bredesen Protocol
There are only a hand full of Bredesen certified practitioners in Australia including Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Reversing Cognitive Decline Programs
Tim Jaeger is certified in the Bredesen Protocol and works with clients in regional Australia, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane.
Hello, thankyou for the post. The above paper puts Dr Bredesen’s treatment in laymen’s terms and is very welcoming.
Currently my wife is being treated by Natural Health Medicine for cognitive issues which are almost certain to be AZD /Dementia, although she has not as yet been officially diagnosed. The protocols involve lifestyle changes as identified in the paper above and she has been on them since July 1 2018. She has been on a variety of supplements and detox treatments which are quite laborious and can be quite expensive, however if this is what needs to be done then so be it.
Looking at the types that have been identified by Dr Bredesen it would appear that she is a mix of Type II and III. To that end it has been a process of elimination to determine the root cause of both bio toxins and other toxins such as heavy metals. Since commencing the Bredesen Protocols under the care of Natural Health Medicine general inflammation throughout her body has been reduced. She has been on a Ketogenic Diet since July last year and has lost almost 28 Kilograms in weight. Some of the other heavy metal markers although still high have been reduced. This process of elimination has tended to indicate that there is a propensity for the AZD to be toxin based, hence all the detoxing supplements she is currently taking. Although she is still displaying the symptoms of Type III, this process may be a long road home. However, at the very least there is some hope and treatment at the end of the tunnel.
From my perspective one of the most frustrating things to deal with is the lack of knowledge by some of our neurological/geriatric specialists, in not only understanding or researching the Bredesen Protocols but knowing who he even is. This not only creates conflict and confusion but increases stress levels for the patient and caregiver.
Going back to some of the success stories identified by Dr Bredesen one which comes to mind is a middle aged female by the name of Julie Gregory. She has been diagnosed as having AZD and was given no hope from the general medical fraternity whom she had seen. She was not able to remember what side of the road to drive on and could not recognise some of her family members or friends. This was until such time as she was introduced by a friend to the research and finding of Dr Bredesen. She was subsequently assisted in making an appointment and the rest is history. She has been on the protocols for some time now and has made a substantial recovery. She has reversed the symptoms and now lectures on her journey at medical forums on invitation by Dr Bredesen. Her lecture generally revolves around the protocol and the lengths at which she has had to change her lifestyle to make the ongoing treatment successful.
My one question is ‘How did she develop the cognitive strength,drive and mental articulation in order to brain train, meditate and exercise to put her on the front foot to reversal?’ It would appear to me that someone who was that far gone in relation to her symptoms would find it very difficult to embark on those things as it would also be for a caregiver to help her.
Natural Health Medicine has been outstanding in relation to the care and treatment they have thus far provided to us. We will continue on the journey for as long as it takes. The purpose of this post in response to the paper above, is to not only share some of my experiences but to also seek some feedback or ideas from readers.
Has anyone else experienced the same sort of issues in terms of motivating and pushing patients to undertake some of the protocols off their own back (obviously with some initial assistance) . This is to not only to get them to actually do them but also to realise the on-going importance of doing so.
I look forward to any feedback.
Regards
Joe
Hi Joe,
Yes it is a big question of how do we change and stay motivated. We all wrestle with this as individuals and as practitioners. It is made especially hard when you are losing the ability to focus, remember and communicate.
Very few of us can naturally do it but the rest of us have to have the support and help of the people around us. Whether it is making a public commitment that allows us to stay on course, joining or being part of a group that is doing the same thing, having the help of our friends and family or the coaching, counseling and education of a naturopath, clinical nutritionist or health coach they all can be part of a plan to renew and reset.
I too get disappointed with the uphill battle we sometimes face with medical doctors that have no interest in outcomes we achieve or are trying to achieve.
At the same time there are many caring, thoughtful doctors that support our investigations into the root causes of disease and when that happens it becomes a really great place to be for our clients.
Dementia is truly one of the hardest paths to walk, not only for those with the disease but for the many carers who suffer with their loved ones trying find answers and help.
Keep strong and stay close to the people you love and care for.
Tim
Good day everyone, My name is Lingard Ellis. I want to share my testimony on how my wife got cured of her Alzheimer’s disease through the help of solution health herbal clinic in South Africa, My wife started treatment with their clinic and bought the herbal remedies which they sent through couriers to our home address, Solution health herbal clinic is god sent.
Hi Lingard, it is great you had some success but Alzheimer’s Dementia is certainly not one single disease with a single treatment. This is why monotherapies do not work and why the Bredesen Protocol combines many inputs for a successful outcome. Also importantly we need to find the underlying causes and make sure we address these.
Read the book.
What is the Brisbane or Gold Coast contact re Cognoscopy?
Hi Gerald, I only know of one Bredesen Certified practitioner is Queensland. There may be other now as my last update from the ‘ReCODE’ people was a while ago.
I have had no personal contact with the practitioner so can’t make any specific comments here are her details:
Georgina Hale, M.D.
Hale Clinic
12 Pheasant Street Buderim, QLD 4556 Australia
Phone 07 5477 5495
haleclinicenquiries@gmail.com
Please if you need any other information please don’t hesitate to contact me, even book in a free 15 min consult to discuss where you are at and how we can help – https://jaegerhealth.com/rcd-15min-free/
I already have clients intersate and I’m current working with a client in Brisbane (reversal – with already some improvements) and the Gold Coast (prevention/ cognoscopy), so very exciting. We have access to all the lab testing we need to do via QML pathology in Queensland, and other specialist labs in Australia.
All the best
Tim