Can Cutting Out Sugar Reverse Dementia

How Much Weight Can I Lose By Cutting Out Sugar

How much weight you could lose by cutting sugar out of your diet depends on several factors including diet, exercise, and lifestyle. If you follow a typical Western diet that is high in sugar, you get little-to-no exercise, and you live a high-stress sedentary lifestyle, you could expect dramatic results if you quit sugar for two weeks.

Following these guidelines for healthy weight loss, you could expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.

Signs Of Early Alzheimers Disease May Include:

• reduced judgment and decision-making skills
• asking the same questions repeatedly
• resistance to changes in routine
• wandering or getting lost in familiar places
• having trouble with money and bill payment
• frequently losing or misplacing things
• reduced drive and ambition

• making repetitive statements or motions
• difficulty reading, writing, and using numbers
• difficulty with logical thinking and thought organization
• difficulty learning or keeping new information
• difficulty completing tasks that involve multiple steps
• increased anxiety, agitation, and anger that might include outbursts of yelling or crying
• inappropriate behaviors such as undressing in public, aggression, or out-of-character vulgar language.
• wandering and getting lost frequently
• hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia
• symptoms that get worse in the late afternoon

People with severe Alzheimers lose their ability to communicate and care for themselves. At this stage, people with Alzheimers often spend most of their time in bed and need assistance with nearly all tasks.

The Mediterranean And Mind Diets And Alzheimers

One diet that shows some promising evidence is the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, and other seafood unsaturated fats such as olive oils and low amounts of red meat, eggs, and sweets. A variation of this, called MIND incorporates the DASH diet, which has been shown to lower high blood pressure, a risk factor for Alzheimers disease.

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Early Identification And Accurate Diagnosis Can Improve Patient Outcomes

Takeaways:

• Some causes of dementia can be reversed through proper identification, intervention, and treatment.
• Nurses play an essential role in improving the lives of many older adults by recognizing and treating reversible forms of dementia.

As a nurse, youll likely care for older adults who present with memory concerns that may lead you to suspect dementia. However, several medical conditions mimic dementia and can be misdiagnosed as Alzheimers disease or a related dementia. These conditions frequently are reversible if diagnosed and treated. An early and accurate diagnosis can reduce the emotional toll on the individual and their caregivers that would result from a misdiagnosis and also save substantial healthcare costs.

In this article, we review seven common reversible causes of dementia and identify their signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatments. Some dementias can be reversed by resolving the underlying cause, so screening for cognitive impairment is an important first step.

Does Sugar Make Dementia Worse

A study that was recently found that even without having the pre-existing condition of diabetes, sugar and dementia are still directly correlated and that a blood sugar level above normal can contribute to an elevated risk of contracting dementia.

Sugar and Alzheimers can go hand-in-hand. Thus, not having diabetes does not protect you from developing dementia easier when enjoying an increased intake of sugar. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor the amount of sugar you are eating daily, especially for readers who have had a history in their genetic family of dementia, or have struggled with eating/health problems related to sugar in the past, including sugar cravings, which can lead to elevated blood pressure and an abnormal blood sugar level.

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Try Intermittent Fasting And Ketosis

Besides eating a healthy diet, Dr. Bredesens patients fasted for 12 hours every night, starting 3 hours before bedtime.

They also consumed coconut oil because the medium-chain triglycerides within coconut oil enhance the production of ketones, an alternative source of energy for brain cells.

When your body and brain are running on ketones rather than glucose, youre in a state of ketosis.

And ketonesand MCT oil have been shown to significantly improve cognition and memory in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease .

Researchers have also found that ketones and fasting can enhance autophagy, which is a process in which your body cleans itself and removes debris .

And this autophagy process can reduce amyloid beta, the main component of amyloid plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease .

So if youre trying to prevent dementia or reverse cognitive decline, intermittent fasting and ketogenic dieting should definitely be considered.

As Ive discussed before, fasting and ketones can also increase your brains growth hormone, help you overcome brain fog, and support your brains mitochondria.

I personally fast for about 12 hours most days, and follow a ketogenic diet every now and then.

I also take Optimal Ketones, which are exogenous ketones that get my body into a state of ketosis more quickly. They immediately increase my mental clarity.

Alzheimers Diet: 16 Foods To Fight Dementia + What To Avoid

The best diet for Alzheimers is Dr. Bredesens KetoFLEX 12/3 diet, which is a keto diet mixed with metabolic flexibility. It encourages 12-hour fasting periods every day, including at least 3 hours of fasting before bedtime.

This slightly-flexible ketogenic diet can lower your risk of developing Alzheimers disease or dementia. In the earliest stages of mental decline, an Alzheimers diet may even reverse cognitive decline.

This revolutionary diet also encourages 12-hour fasting periods so the body has more time to repair cell damage. Make sure to not eat within 3 hours of going to bed either.

What are the benefits of an Alzheimers diet? The benefit of an Alzheimers diet is taking control of your own health, based on science. Eating foods like green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts, and even an occasional glass of red wine can reduce your chances of developing Alzheimers.

Can Alzheimers be reversed with diet? In the earliest stages of cognitive decline, adhering to an Alzheimers diet may reverse cognitive decline. Unfortunately, theres no surefire Alzheimers cure. However, we have personally observed patients whose cognitive decline was reversed after making specific lifestyle changes, including changing their diet.

Can dementia be reversed with diet? Advanced dementia cannot be reversed with a healthy diet. However, the KetoFLEX 12/3 diet shows promise in slowing general cognitive decline and early stages of dementia.

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If You Live In England

Your GP may invite you to an NHS Health Check, or you can book an appointment by contacting them.

This NHS Health Check is available to anyone aged 4074 who lives in England and does not already have diabetes, heart, kidney or circulation problems. It is designed to find any early signs of these conditions and stop them getting worse. Ideally, you should have this check-up every five years.

After your health check, you can discuss any concerns with a healthcare professional and get advice on looking after your health, including reducing your risk of dementia.

If you already have any of these conditions, its still important to have regular health check-ups. However you dont need to book an NHS Health Check specifically.

Diet And Supplements For Alzheimers Disease

Theres no diet or supplement that can reverse Alzheimers, but theres some evidence that diet can play a role in preventing Alzheimers disease.

Specifically, there seems to be a link between the Mediterranean diet and memory. Since high blood pressure is known to be an additional risk for Alzheimers, the MIND diet is sometimes recommended. The MIND diet is a variation of the Mediterranean diet that blends it with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet.

Following the MIND diet involves cooking with olive oil and eating more:

• leafy green vegetables

• fast food and convenience items

Evidence to support following a Mediterranean or MIND diet to improve memory and cognition isnt definitive. Studies have been done, but they arent conclusive. These diets wont reverse any Alzheimers symptoms, and its still unclear whether theyll reduce your risk.

However, the foods suggested in these diets have high nutritional value. This could offer benefits for your overall health in addition to the possibility of lowering your risk for Alzheimers.

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The Connection Between The Digestive System And The Brain

Researchers are learning how the biochemical processes of food intake and digestion interact with changes in the brain. They are finding that the gut microbiome the community of viruses, bacteria and other microbes in the digestive system may influence the onset and progression of Alzheimers disease.

Studies in mice and humans show that the composition of the gut microbiome in Alzheimers and mild cognitive impairment is different from that in cognitively normal beings.

Changes in the gut microbiome as people age have been linked to disruptions in the immune system, persistent inflammation and chronic diseases, including neurological disorders such as Alzheimers. Researchers are exploring how these changes are related to each other and to brain changes related to Alzheimers, including neurodegeneration and the accumulation of toxic proteins beta-amyloid and tau.

Identifying the good and bad gut microbes associated with Alzheimers could help scientists learn more about the biology of the disease and develop a new way to predict and potentially treat it.

Tips To Reduce Sugar Cravings And Consumption

Reducing sugar intake and controlling the cravings sounds like a herculean task. These tips might help you control your sugar cravings and limit your consumption. It will be daunting at first, but with time and persistence, it gets easier. Remind yourself that even good behaviors need some time for your body to adapt. So, how to reduce sugar intake gradually?

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Supplements For Alzheimers Disease

There are many supplements and products that claim to be able to slow down, reverse, cure, prevent, or treat Alzheimers disease. None of these claims are backed by research or supported by the FDA.

Currently, there are only two supplements that have any studied benefit:

Omega-3 fatty acids

Studies have shown that docosahexaenoic acid , the omega-3 fatty acid found in certain kinds of fish, might reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimers.

However, there havent been enough studies to fully support this claim, and the FDA doesnt recommend DHA as a treatment or as a preventive supplement against Alzheimers.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is a lipid or fat found in the membranes around nerve cells. Like DHA, a few small studies have shown promising results, but they dont offer enough evidence to support it as a treatment or preventive option for Alzheimers.

Currently, the FDA allows products with phosphatidylserine to carry the following

Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the sun.

Every tissue in your body has vitamin D receptors, including the brain, heart, muscles, and immune system. This means your entire body needs it to function properly and a deficiency can lead to costly physiological and psychological consequences, including dementia and cognitive decline.

Research shows that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a substantially increased risk dementia and Alzheimer disease .

That’s why I highly recommend checking your Vitamin D levels. You can order the test yourself here. It’s one of the most important tests you can take for your health.

The participants in Dr. Bredesens study took between 2,000 to 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3 every day.

Vitamin D can also help you overcome brain fog, and increase your brains growth hormone.

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Read More From Yogauonline And Dr Mark Hyman

Mark Hyman, MD, believes that we all deserve a life of vitalityand that we have the potential to create it for ourselves. Thats why he is dedicated to tackling the root causes of chronic disease by harnessing the power of Functional Medicine to transform healthcare. Dr. Hyman and his team work every day to empower people, organizations, and communities to heal their bodies and minds, and improve our social and economic resilience. Dr. Hyman is a practicing family physician, a ten-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in his field. He is the Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. He is also the founder and medical director of The Ultra Wellness Center, chairman of the board of the Institute for Functional Medicine, a medical editor of The Huffington Post, and was a regular medical contributor on many television shows including CBS This Morning, Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, and The View, Katie and The Dr. Oz Show.

Pillar #: Healthy Diet

In Alzheimers disease, inflammation and insulin resistance injure neurons and inhibit communication between brain cells. Alzheimers is sometimes described as diabetes of the brain, and a growing body of research suggests a strong link between metabolic disorders and the signal processing systems. By adjusting your eating habits, however, you can help reduce inflammation and protect your brain.

Manage your weight. Extra pounds are a risk factor for Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia. A major study found that people who were overweight in midlife were twice as likely to develop Alzheimers down the line, and those who were obese had three times the risk. Losing weight can go a long way to protecting your brain.

Cut down on sugar.Sugary foods and refined carbs such as white flour, white rice, and pasta can lead to dramatic spikes in blood sugar which inflame your brain. Watch out for hidden sugar in all kinds of packaged foods from cereals and bread to pasta sauce and low or no-fat products.

Enjoy a Mediterranean diet. Several epidemiological studies show that eating a Mediterranean diet dramatically reduces the risk of decline from cognitive impairment and Alzheimers disease. That means plenty of vegetables, beans, whole grains, fish and olive oiland limited processed food.

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Build New Brain Synapses

Another goal of Dr. Bredesens program was to promote the synthesis of new brain synapses in the participants.

As a result, he recommended oral administration of Citicoline and omega-3 fatty acids, which are the structural components of synapses, and have been shown to support the brains of people with neurodegenerative diseases who have experienced synaptic loss .

Citicolineis the most bioavailable form of choline, an essential B vitamin that most people dont consume enough of, because very few foods in the Western diet contain it.

Not only does it promote the synthesis of new brain synapses, it also has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, and enhances the synthesis and release of acetylcholine and dopamine two neurotransmitters that are critical for optimal brain function and mental health .

Unfortunately, many prescription drugs are anticholinergic, meaning they reduce acetylcholine in the brain.

The commonly-prescribed antidepressant Wellbutrin is anticholinergic, meaning it inhibits the physiological action of acetylcholine. I took Wellbutrin for multiple years and experienced gradual cognitive decline during that time.

In fact, one of the participants in Dr. Bredesens study worked with her doctor to reduce her daily dose of Welbutrin because of its known anticholinergic effects.

I personally take Citicoline every day now. I find it improves my focus and mental energy. You can also find some choline in beef liver and egg yolks.

Risk Factors For Dementia & Alzheimers

Scientists know that genetics, environment, and lifestyle affect your risk of developing Alzheimers disease and dementia.

Alzheimers and dementia risk factors include:

• Age: As you get older, youre at greater risk of developing dementia and Alzheimers.
• Genetics: If you have a family member with dementia, you are more likely to have dementia, too. Additionally, having certain versions of genes, like apolipoprotein E 4 , increases your risk of developing Alzheimers.
• Education: People with less education have a higher chance of getting Alzheimers.
• High risk for cardiovascular disease: The same factors that affect your heart health, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, also increase your Alzheimers risk.
• Head trauma: Youre more likely to develop Alzheimers if you suffer a head injury that makes you lose consciousness.
• Alcohol abuse: Patients with alcohol-use disorder are more likely to have impaired cognition and develop Alzheimers disease.
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Can You Reduce The Risk Of Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers disease is likely a result of multiple factors such as genetics, age, lifestyle, and environment. Researchers are currently working on identifying some of the genetic risk factors for Alzheimers.

For now, everyone can take steps to control the known lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimers disease. These include:

Stay Mentally And Socially Active

Engaging in mental or social activities may help to build up your brains ability to cope with disease, relieve stress and improve your mood. This means doing these activities may help to delay, or even prevent, dementia from developing.

Find activities you enjoy that challenge your brain, and do them regularly. This could be puzzles or crosswords, but there are also many other activities you could do.

Anything that engages your mind, processes information and develops your thinking skills is good for the brain and reducing your risk. For example:

• any kind of adult education or learning
• arts and crafts
• playing a musical instrument or singing
• doing brainteasers, such as puzzles, crosswords or quizzes
• playing card games, chess or board games
• reading books, or becoming a member of a book club
• creative writing or keeping a diary
• learning a new language.

If you use a smartphone or tablet you might enjoy apps that can provide mental stimulation. These include puzzle, memory or board game apps.

Social activities are also good for the brain, making them a great way to reduce your risk of getting dementia. This includes interacting with other people online as well as in person. This means its important to try to keep in touch with the people who matter to you, such as friends and family.

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