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

Tom Bilyeu・2 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.

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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.

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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.

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