How to prevent & reverse dementia: Psychiatrist Kat Toups, M.D. | mbg Podcast

the mindbodygreen podcast・2 minutes read

Retirement can increase the risk of dementia due to reduced brain stimulation. Lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, and oral health are crucial for maintaining brain health and reducing the risk of cognitive decline.

Insights

  • Retirement can increase the risk of dementia due to decreased brain stimulation, but it is not a death sentence; identifying and addressing various causes like metabolic diseases, infections, and hormonal imbalances can help manage dementia effectively.
  • Maintaining good oral health, including a microbiome test and personalized care, is crucial in preventing conditions like dementia, heart disease, and arthritis; lifestyle modifications like a ketogenic diet, regular exercise, and brain training play a significant role in improving brain health and cognitive function.

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Recent questions

  • What are common causes of dementia?

    Metabolic diseases, inflammation, stress, infections, toxins, hormonal imbalances.

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Summary

00:00

"Retirement, Dementia, and Todd's Recovery Journey"

  • Retirement is considered a risk factor for dementia due to decreased brain stimulation.
  • The speaker, Todd, is a highly recommended guest, introduced by mutual friend JJ Virgin.
  • Todd's background includes running a clinical trials Research Center and specializing in Alzheimer's.
  • At 50, Todd experienced cognitive decline similar to his dementia patients, leading to a three-year recovery journey.
  • Todd's cognitive issues included memory loss, difficulty using a computer, driving problems, and auditory processing issues.
  • Todd's recovery involved studying functional medicine and applying modules to himself, leading to brain function restoration.
  • Todd emphasizes that dementia is not a death sentence and can be addressed through identifying and fixing various causes.
  • Common causes of dementia include metabolic diseases, inflammation, stress, infections, toxins, and hormonal imbalances.
  • Todd highlights the impact of infections like Lyme disease on cognitive decline and the role of oral health in dementia.
  • Studies show a clear connection between oral microbiome health and dementia, with biologic dentists now offering testing for this link.

15:42

Microbiome Test: Key to Oral & Overall Health

  • A microbiome test can identify different strains of pathogens in the mouth, linking them to various health issues like dementia, heart disease, and arthritis.
  • Good oral health involves more than just white teeth or cavity-free; it includes a microbiome test to assess the oral environment.
  • Factors affecting oral health include oral hygiene routines, immune system strength, diet, and inflammation levels.
  • Dental offices can now conduct microbiome tests to analyze the types of microbes present in the mouth, aiding in personalized oral health care.
  • Intimate partners can exchange oral bacteria, impacting each other's oral health, highlighting the importance of considering shared pathogens.
  • Basic oral hygiene practices like brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups are essential, along with a microbiome test and a diet tailored to individual needs.
  • In a dementia clinical trial, patients using antimicrobial toothpaste and dental rinse showed improved oral health, emphasizing the role of oral care in overall health.
  • A ketogenic diet was a key component of the dementia trial, promoting fat burning for brain health and increasing brain-derived neurotrophic levels for new synapse connections.
  • Exercise and meditation were mandatory in the trial to enhance brain health, with a focus on heart rate variability through methods like heart math for calming and healing benefits.
  • Patients in the trial followed a comprehensive exercise program including strength, cardiovascular, balance, and high-intensity interval training, supported by a team of health coaches for optimal results.

31:14

Preventing Alzheimer's: Exercise, Brain Training, Diet

  • Exercise recommendations include strength training, core work, and balance training to prevent muscle loss and falls with aging.
  • Participants were asked to exercise at least 25 to 30 minutes six days a week, with a preference for 45 to 60 minutes.
  • Brain training, including heart math and brain training exercises, was incorporated daily to aid neuroplasticity.
  • Individuals with the E4 allele gene have a higher risk for Alzheimer's due to increased amyloid secretion in response to brain injuries.
  • The amyloid hypothesis, focusing on eliminating amyloid in the brain, has been a central theme in Alzheimer's research despite drug studies showing limited clinical improvement.
  • Brain training, such as Tango dancing and programs like Brain HQ, can stimulate different brain areas and improve cognitive function.
  • Adequate sleep is crucial for brain detoxification and regeneration, with chronic sleep deprivation posing risks for brain health.
  • Sleep apnea, even in non-traditional candidates, can lead to oxygen deprivation in the brain, causing long-term damage.
  • Diet, sleep, and exercise are highlighted as key factors for healthy aging, with midlife hearing loss identified as a modifiable risk factor for dementia.
  • Personal success stories in reversing dementia and maintaining cognitive gains through comprehensive approaches excite researchers in the field, with ongoing studies exploring new biomarkers and interventions for brain health.

46:50

Advancements in Brain Health and Detoxification

  • The field of study is expanding to include various factors for study and treatment, leading to optimism about its future.
  • Academic centers are encouraged to embrace these advancements to make them more accessible through healthcare systems.
  • Lifestyle modifications, rather than a single pill, are seen as the key to improving brain health.
  • Hormones play a crucial role in brain health, with studies showing significant impacts on brain degeneration.
  • Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, especially for estrogen and testosterone, can benefit brain health.
  • Toxins, including heavy metals and mold toxins, are highlighted as detrimental to brain health.
  • Detoxification methods like sweating, sauna, and liver support are recommended to reduce toxin levels.
  • Testing for toxin levels is suggested as a practical indicator of one's ability to detoxify, with genetic testing also mentioned as a potential tool for understanding detoxification capabilities.
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