Alzheimer's Disease: The EARLY WARNING SIGNS & How To Reverse It | Richard Johnson & Dale Bredesen

Tom Bilyeu2 minutes read

Alzheimer's is a major concern, with promising cognitive improvements shown in recent trials. Monitoring inflammation, metabolic changes, and energy status is vital for brain health and Alzheimer's prevention.

Insights

  • Alzheimer's disease is a significant concern, with more Americans projected to die from it than from COVID-19.
  • Participants in a recent Alzheimer's disease trial showed cognitive improvements, increased gray matter, and hippocampal volumes, slowing age-related decline.
  • A cognoscopy involving blood tests for glucose and inflammation, cognitive assessments, and MRIs can aid in early Alzheimer's detection.
  • Fructose consumption, insulin resistance, and inflammation are key factors in Alzheimer's development, emphasizing the importance of diet and metabolic health.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What are the early signs of Alzheimer's?

    Memory loss and executive function difficulties.

  • How can inflammation be assessed?

    Through tests like hsCRP.

  • What is the role of ATP in Alzheimer's?

    ATP levels drop early, affecting brain energy.

  • How can a ketogenic diet benefit health?

    Improves metabolic flexibility and ketone production.

  • What are the risks associated with fructose consumption?

    Triggers hunger, leptin resistance, and foraging behavior.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Alzheimer's Concern: Cognitive Improvements and Early Signs"

  • Alzheimer's disease is a significant concern, with more Americans projected to die from it than from COVID-19.
  • A recent trial published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease showed an 84% improvement in individuals with cognitive decline.
  • Participants in the trial not only showed cognitive improvements but also had larger gray matter and hippocampal volumes.
  • The protocol used in the trial slowed down the decline associated with normal aging.
  • A cognoscopy involves three components: blood tests focusing on glucose, inflammatory markers, and metabolic syndrome; an online cognitive assessment; and an MRI with volumetrics.
  • Blood tests should include checking for insulin resistance, glucose levels, and features of metabolic syndrome.
  • Inflammatory status can be assessed through tests like high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).
  • Alzheimer's disease is linked to issues with the innate immune system and energy production in the brain.
  • Early signs of Alzheimer's can include memory loss and executive function difficulties.
  • MRI with volumetrics can reveal abnormal brain shrinkage compared to age-related norms, indicating potential issues.

15:39

Detecting Inflammation: CRP and Alzheimer's Connection

  • Systemic inflammation may not present with a fever or abnormal white blood cell count, but low-grade inflammation can still be present in the body, often seen in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
  • CRP (C-reactive protein) is a crucial test to detect inflammation, with an elevation in CRP indicating increased risks for heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, and potentially Alzheimer's.
  • Inflammation in the brain is an early sign of Alzheimer's, and C-reactive protein may be a risk factor for the disease.
  • The cognoscopy score includes looking for inflammation, metabolic changes like insulin resistance, and monitoring energy status, focusing on ATP as active energy and fat as stored energy.
  • In Alzheimer's, ATP levels in neurons drop early on, leading to a low energy state in the brain, affecting glucose uptake and ATP production.
  • Neural exosomes can be used to measure insulin resistance in the brain, indicating cognitive decline and energy deficits.
  • Temporal and parietal reduced glucose utilization in the brain signifies an insulin-resistant state, where the brain struggles to use glucose or ketones for energy.
  • Transitioning to a high-fat, low-carb diet can improve metabolic flexibility and ketone production, alleviating chronic inflammation and pain.
  • High protein intake on a ketogenic diet can raise uric acid levels, potentially causing inflammation and gout, but ketones can suppress inflammation to some extent.
  • Ketones block the excretion of uric acid in the kidneys, leading to temporary increases in uric acid levels, which can be managed over time with dietary adjustments.

31:01

"Keto diet, ketones, and Alzheimer's risk"

  • Uric acid increase on a keto diet is countered by anti-inflammatory ketones, reducing inflammation caused by uric acid.
  • Despite the benefits of ketones, some individuals on low-carb diets still experience gout attacks.
  • A distinction is made between a keto diet and a plant-rich keto diet, with the latter being recommended for brain health.
  • A plant-rich ketogenic diet with fasting periods is advised to elevate ketones and avoid a pure meat diet for optimal health.
  • The apoe4 gene, linked to Alzheimer's risk, necessitates caution with a carnivorous diet due to potential vascular issues.
  • Phytonutrients from plants are crucial for reducing inflammation and lowering Alzheimer's risk compared to a high meat diet.
  • The switch refers to a biological change triggering weight gain, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome, often seen in animals preparing for hibernation.
  • Fructose is identified as a major trigger for the switch, leading to weight gain, with high carb diets and certain foods like red meat and salt contributing to fructose production.
  • Red meat consumption is associated with Alzheimer's risk, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet rich in phytonutrients and low in high-carb foods.
  • Understanding the impact of fructose production in the brain and its connection to diet choices is crucial for overall health and disease prevention.

46:28

Fructose's Impact on Brain Health and Energy

  • Fructose, not red meat, is identified as the cause of brain issues in a carnivore diet due to its conversion to glucose.
  • Uric acid from red meat may hinder glucose conversion to fructose in a low-carb diet lacking glucose.
  • Plant products are generally preferable over red meat in a regular diet, but on a carnivore diet with minimal carbs, the issue may not arise.
  • Excessive salt consumption with glucose can lead to fructose conversion, particularly affecting brain fructose levels.
  • High salt diets have been linked to increased fructose production in the brain, potentially impacting cognitive health.
  • Glucose infusion in individuals can elevate brain fructose levels, potentially contributing to Alzheimer's risk.
  • Insulin resistance is highlighted as a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's, affecting a substantial portion of the population.
  • Fructose consumption, especially in large quantities from fruits, can trigger hunger, leptin resistance, and foraging behavior.
  • Fructose intake can lower ATP production, leading to increased fat storage and reduced energy levels.
  • Fructose is unique in lowering ATP levels in cells, impacting hunger, foraging, and energy conservation mechanisms.

01:02:29

Fructose, Alzheimer's, and Brain Health: Key Connections

  • Certain brain regions are crucial for attention, self-control, and impulsivity.
  • Stimulation of a specific brain region in animals leads to foraging behavior.
  • Fructose consumption in animals and humans reduces blood flow to the frontal cortex, temporal cortex, and hippocampus, affecting glucose utilization and insulin resistance.
  • Fructose aims to reduce brain activity and conserve energy, as the brain consumes 20% of the body's energy.
  • Chronic fructose intake diminishes self-control, promoting impulsivity and foraging behavior.
  • Alzheimer's patients often exhibit wandering behavior, akin to foraging, due to chronic stress and unresolved issues.
  • Alzheimer's development is linked to repeated activation of the innate immune system, driven by insults like fructose consumption.
  • Chronic stress, driven by various factors including diet, leads to Alzheimer's by activating the innate immune system excessively.
  • Fructose consumption triggers inflammation and reduces energy production, akin to a survival response under stress.
  • Polyphenols offer protection against Alzheimer's by reducing inflammation and supporting mitochondrial function, crucial for maintaining brain health.

01:18:17

Factors and Treatments for Low-Power Mode

  • Glucose is not the only way to put the body and brain in a low-power defensive mode; various factors like diet, viruses, bacteria, or concussions can trigger this state.
  • Prolonged low-power mode can lead to Alzheimer's symptoms, where individuals seem absent but are alive due to chronic low energy levels.
  • There are methods to reverse low-power mode effects, with cases showing significant improvements in cognitive function and engagement.
  • Identifying individual contributors to low-power mode is crucial, with factors ranging from glucose and fructose intake to oral hygiene, mold exposure, and pathogens.
  • Wearables and continuous glucose monitoring can help track physiological changes, indicating issues like hypoglycemia from high-carb diets.
  • A protocol for addressing low-power mode involves identifying and addressing inflammation, pathogens, and metabolic flexibility issues.
  • Specific blood tests like phosphotal-181 and neurofilament light can provide insights into brain health and potential risks.
  • Six subtypes of Alzheimer's are identified, including inflammatory, atrophic, glycotoxic, toxic, and concussion-related, each requiring tailored treatment.
  • Improving metabolic flexibility by balancing glucose and ketone levels is crucial for stabilizing energy and cognitive function.
  • Addressing innate immune system activation and preventing microthrombi formation through supplements like nattokinase and pycnogenol can aid in Alzheimer's treatment.

01:33:12

Optimal Sodium Levels and Hydration Guidelines

  • Serum sodium levels between 136 to 140 indicate lower risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes, dementia, and aging compared to levels around 144.
  • Increased water intake can reduce serum sodium levels, associated with less fructose production, blocking obesity and diabetes.
  • Drinking water before consuming high-salt foods like french fries can lower serum sodium, preventing glucose to fructose conversion.
  • Monitoring urine color can indicate hydration levels; dark yellow signifies dehydration, clear urine indicates overhydration, slightly yellow is optimal.
  • Serum sodium levels should ideally range from 138 to 142, indicating adequate water intake; levels above 142 suggest insufficient hydration.
  • Marathon runners should be cautious with water intake to avoid intoxication and seizures due to imbalanced serum sodium levels.
  • The average person should aim for eight to ten glasses of water daily, correlating to about two and a half liters of urine output.
  • Estrogen levels play a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease, with a rapid drop in hormones increasing the risk, especially in women.
  • Menopause-related hormonal changes in women can lead to increased risks of obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular issues.
  • Uric acid levels, influenced by estrogen, can impact metabolic health, with post-menopausal women facing heightened risks due to increased uric acid levels.

01:48:59

"Apes' mutation aids migration and survival"

  • European apes migrated back to Africa and Southeast Asia, overcoming local apes due to mutation during starvation.
  • Mutation allowed European apes to adapt to new diet, leading to survival and migration.
  • Inhibiting urocase in lab rats increased sensitivity to sugar and led to health issues.
  • Resurrected gene in human liver cells showed less fat production from fructose with urocase.
  • Higher uric acid levels from mutation aided in fat production from fructose.
  • Blocking fructose metabolism may have positive effects in modern context.
  • Lack of enzyme linked to no diabetes or obesity, potential longevity benefits.
  • Early detection and intervention in Alzheimer's stages crucial for prevention and reversal.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.