As long as people continue to try, there is hope. Imagine if everyone gave up.
I have read a book called 'The End of Alzheimers' by Dr Dale Bredesen who is a Professor of Neurology in California. The book explains why there is no cure for dementia and, I'm afraid to say, unlikely to be one. However, it has a protocol of treatment strategies - tailored to the individual, which have had very positive results on patients where he works. The strategies are not straightforward and not fully achievable in the UK without the aid of an unconventionally trained GP (a functional doctor).
But the message is based on looking at your diet, exercise, sleep patterns, baseline blood chemistry, your genes etc - on the basis that a lot of dementias (and other diseases) stem from an inflammatory response which the body is trying to protect itself from, but doing it badly. So, remove or reduce the sources of inflammation and the brain will respond. And starting treatment or prevention as early as possible is also the message.
There are certain things we can all do without medical tests and the book is definitely worth reading just to find out more about dementia itself.
It's sad to hear someone describe my enthusiasm as 'misguided'.
Yes, I am enthuastic about this book, and no-one's hopes should be unduly raised, but, as a former carer, I am keen to find ways to try and prevent dementia in myself as well as trying to help others, which is understandably the reason behind me posting about this book in the first place.
There have been recent posts here about cannabis use for dementia which shows people are desperate for help.
Ultimately, it is just a book, not a drug, so it won't do anyone harm to read it, if they wish to; it's just a choice, which I was trying to highlight - no-one is being forced to buy it and forum users can make their own minds up. Even if anyone thinks my enthuasiasm is unwarranted, I don't feel discouragement is fair either.
I read Dr Bredesen book - he is not a charlatan but a highly qualified Head of Neurology in San Francisco. His approach is one of 21st cenrury Medicen - like what is currently happening in individualized chemotherapy cancer treatment . No longer one size fits all . The reason his protocol is not more broadly known as yet is down to lack of $$$$ making potential for drug companies . The ‘ cure ‘ for Alzheimer’s is a Trillion dollar goldmine - and drug companies want a simple drug based solution - which looks highly unlikely given the complicated brain science.
[I have started parts of the protocol for my husband. On recent blood tests, his pattern fits the common Sugar too high/ Homocysteine/ too high profile. We have changed to the High Fat/ Low Carb diet, and are finding it easy enough, despite the lack of bread/ grains/ pasta/ potatoes. I have seen and heard of Diabetic patients reversing their Diabetes on this diet + exercise alone, so am hopeful that we can achieve something - hopefully stall the progress of his Dementia. We are seeing a Practitioner trained in the Bredesen Protocol next week, and hopefully will be starting on a Supplement programme as well. I was wondering if you have heard of anyone else who is trying the Protocol and if so, have they reported any changes/ improvements ?
And from what I understand of this program is that I am sure any care home would need to employ extra staff to make sure that everything was done to requirements. I understand that each person has their own specialized program so apart from the increased costs of the supplements, I can't see care homes investing in the extra staff to implement it. Then there is also the issue of monitoring the program and the absolute imperative of measuring and recording the results. And of course, care homes would be required to make sure that the relevant staff are trained appropriately and updated as things change.Hello @idedwards
I`m not surprised you are unable to find any ReCODE friendly care homes. All these new theories are experimental and no care home would dare take the risk of trying out new practices on their residents, especially in the litigious society we now live in.
I am always struck by how how there never seems to be a commonality about who develops Alzheimer's and who doesn't. My husband has been a vegetarian for donkeys years, never smoked and as a younger man was very fit and active (ran marathons, played football, tennis etc). He enjoyed alcohol but hasn't had a drink for years, never used drugs and has always maintained a healthy weight. He has suffered heart trouble for about 16 years including a cardiac arrest 5 1/2 years ago followed by AD 5 years ago.if you follow the guidelines he should never have developed either. But his mother had Alzheimer's though much worse than he does.If you read back on this and similar threads you will see that there are a few newbies who come on and say it is wonderful and how its improved their PWD no end, but they never post again and I (cynically) wonder whether its really true or whether its just advertisement! Then you get other people like yourself, Joe, who are obviously genuine say that they are going to give it a try and come back and let us know whether it works. They may come back, once , after a couple of months and say its going fine, but there has never been anyone come back long-term and report any improvement and most people never come back at all. Cynically, I suspect this is because it simply doesnt work.
I dont see any reason not to give a keto diet a go and try the other things, but dont spend a lot of money on it.
Hi JoeHi all,
My Dad has recently been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers and my friend recommended the Dr Bredesen 'The End of Alzheimers' book. I have started reading it and am considering getting my Dad on to the Recode Protocol, or a version of it - a mild keto diet, more exercise, structured sleep and frequent saunas (I read about a trial in Finland that suggested saunas can help prevent dementia.) My thought is that even if these changes do nothing to help reverse Alzheimers symptoms my Dad may feel more healthy which is a win in itself.
I am wary of contacting a Recode practitioner and getting fully onboard as they seem rather expensive for a largely unproven treatment.
Has anyone given the protocol or a version of it a go? I saw a post from Country Lady a while back but nothing since. I would be keen to hear others thoughts or experiences. I am also happy to provide updates on how my Dad gets on if anyone is interested.
Joe