Alzheimer's
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Alzheimer's disease was officially recognized a hundred years ago, but there's still no effective medical approach for it. Alzheimer's can be a devastating disease that can make a person disappear a little bit at a time. Eventually the person that you knew is no longer there which can be a hopeless experience. There is new understanding about this condition that has led to new approaches to help arrest and even reverse it. Most of you have heard of beta amyloid plaque which many thought was the cause of this disease. This plaque has been found on MRIs and used to be a way of judging the outcome of this disease. A drug was discovered that can reduce this beta amyloid plaque and was rushed into testing. The surprising results were that it accelerated the disease. The trials were quickly abandoned and a new understanding emerged of what was actually going on in the condition.
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It has since been discovered this plaque is actually the body's defense against damage to the brain. Beta amyloid plaque is now understood as being in antimicrobial peptide. In other words is part of the body's immune system against damage. Recent studies have shown that while the adaptive immune system has limited access to the brain, the central nervous system can still mount a robust response to invading pathogens, antimicrobial peptides and the innate immune system. Vitamin D has been found to be one of the protective nutrients in controlling the damage to the brain. Even though vitamin D is not a cure-all for Alzheimer's, studies have shown it to benefit not only Alzheimer's but Parkinson's disease.
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Studies have also found that the herpes simplex virus (the cold sore virus) is one of the different organisms that can initiate damage to the brain. This particular virus has been found in 90% of adults even though they don't show outbreaks of cold sores. But there are usually other factors besides this virus alone that sets up the process of damage within the brain. Chlamydia (chlamydophila penedumoniae) is also another microorganism found in the brain.
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Microglia are a type of glial cell that are the resident macrophages (cells that consume microorganisms) of the brain and spinal cord, and thus act as the first and main form of active immune defense. These cells are found around the damaged area of the brain in Alzheimer's. These cells are activated in inflammatory chemistry and can be triggered by viruses, excitatory proteins, a lack of vitamin D and obesity.
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Studies show that obesity is a contributing factor to brain disease due to the inflammatory chemistry that is overdeveloped. So part of the process of preventing neurodegenerative disease is controlling inflammation and oxidation stress.
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In a UCLA study, patients made dramatic lifestyle changes. They avoided simple carbs, gluten and processed foods. They increased their fish intake, took yoga and meditated. They were instructed to take melatonin, get adequate sleep, incorporate vitamin B-12, vitamin D-3 and fish oil. Within six months, nine of the 10 memory-loss patients saw a noticeable improvement in memory. One patient, who was in the late stages of Alzheimer's, did not show improvement.
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Inflammation and tissue toxins are obvious contributors to Alzheimer's. The dietary recommendations and the nutritional support recommended tend to be directed towards reducing inflammation.
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Following your body type diet is crucial in controlling inflammation. Also the latest research on sleep indicates this is how your brain detoxifies itself.
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Spending time in meditation or prayer can have a calming affect on your nervous system. Chiropractic adjustments are a very effective way to reduce stress to the nervous system and maintain proper nerve function as well as organ and glandular function. Also regular chiropractic adjustments enhance immune function which can be important with Alzheimer's. Exercise is a way of controlling cortisol which is a stress and inflammation producing hormone from the adrenal glands.
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Some of the nutrients that can be helpful for Alzheimer's and focus on the Nrf2 antioxidant response pathway : vitamin D, coconut oil (MCT Oil), CoQ10, Alpha lipoic acid, phosphatidylserine, acetyl l-carnitine, l-lysine (for the herpes virus), curcumin, caloric restriction (improves mitochondria function), pterostilbene (from resveratrol) , sulforaphane (from broccoli, Brussels sprouts or cabbages) , green tea extract, garlic, DHA, glutathione, SOD (superoxide dismutase), nutrients for detoxification, exercise (20 minutes per day), sunshine, and a anti-inflammatory diet.
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Vega testing is an excellent way to determine which of these products your body might need. Nobody needs all of these. Also non-GMO foods and organic foods would be smart if you're dealing with advanced memory issues. The use of Stevia over artificial sweeteners would be recommended and artificial food coloring and other food additives could be an issue. Eat foods in their natural state.
Drugs that damage the brain
Statin cholesterol-lowering drugs, antidepressants, beta blockers, diuretics, tamoxifen, methotrexate, anti-inflammatories, oral contraceptives, antibiotics, nighttime pain relievers, antihistamines, and other sleep aids, such as: Excedrin PM, Tylenol PM, Nytol, Sominex, Unisom, Benadryl, Dramamine and vaccines.
LINK:VEGA TESTING- a look at the body’s computer