Dr. Weeks’ Comment: We face an epidemic of cognitive challenges in America including dementia and my patients often wish to understand the scientific rationale of our corrective protocols for optimizing memory, concentration and cognition, I have created a white paper on dementia detailing the related peer-reviewed, scientific literature and the clinical rationale of each remedy in our memory-enhancement protocol. You may share this with your family members. It might interest you and your family to learn that, in addition to memory challenges from aging alone, there are four types of dementia: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. To clarify your diagnosis, contact the Weeks Center for Corrective Health to request certain tests before we tailor your own corrective protocol to optimize your cognition.
To your health,
Dr. Brad
White paper on DEMENTIA
Dementia is a progressive loss of cognitive function evidenced by memory failures, disorientation and confusion. It is dehumanizing in that the person suffering with dementia increasingly becomes isolated not only from the world but more importantly, from her or himself. Without memory, we humans can lose a sense of identity and purpose. Often the family members actually suffer more than does the demented patient.
The current incidence of dementia in America alone is estimated to be impairing the lives of over 6 million people. On the other hand, the industry supporting people with this dreaded illness is robust. In America alone, Alzheimer’s disease cost $321 billion yearly and that number is expected to grow to top $1 trillion by 2050.
To date, medical doctors delivering the standard of care medications and researchers seeking new drugs admit that there is no prescription pharmaceutical drug which can be considered sufficiently beneficial to merit enthusiastic endorsement. Equally sadly, research on preventing this dreaded disease is meager since prevention is never a profitable venture and for investors including the NIH, return on investment drives most scientific research. Even more tragic, most medical doctors offering the standard of care dismiss lifestyle interventions while continuing to write prescriptions for expensive drugs like Aricept or Nemantadine which many of them admit privately to colleagues that they themselves would not give to their own family members should a wife or husband develop dementia. Sadly, these conventional drugs don’t work sufficiently and their side-effects make the risk benefit ratio unfavorable.
Therefore, safe, effective and cost-effective lifestyle interventions (cognitive exercises, diet, supplements, sleep hygiene and meditation) need to be evaluated and utilized when the risk benefit ratio is favorable. As is the case with all civilized and humane medical care, the principle of informed consent is essential whereby the practitioner fully educates the patient (or the guardian) regarding treatment pros and cons so that informed consent can be freely given. In that spirit, the following brief report will describe the Corrective Health principles of optimizing function and some of the various agents which comprise corrective protocols which can help prevent, retard the progression and in some instances reverse the symptoms of dementia.
Genetics (for example, the pro-inflammatory ApoE4 allele) play a significant role in the development of dementia but clinically speaking, epigenetics (environmental interventions) can optimize cognitive function, regardless of genetic predispositions. Otherwise stated, “genes load the gun, but the environmental factors pull the trigger”. Epigenetic factors which create an anti-inflammatory status in the brain are optimal since, at its core, dementia is a disease driven by inflammation of fatty brain tissue. Inflammation of the brain tissue can derive from toxic food-like products (especially rancid oils), toxic metals like aluminum and mercury and infectious processes (especially herpes simplex 1 – see https://weeksmd.com/2018/06/alzheimers-and-the-role-of-herpes/ and https://weeksmd.com/2019/02/catching-alzheimers-dementia/.
Another humane edict in medicine is “primum non nocere” (“first do no harm”). Corrective Medicine options, for example, what we list below, have no significant negative side-effects. So now let us together consider some practical, and what I term “centsible” corrective treatment options which are safe, effective and cost-effective.
A non-exhaustive list of
CORRECTIVE REMEDY OPTIONS
Brain Exercises (“Use it or lose it!”)
Make a habit of challenging your cognitive function: crossword puzzles, Sudoku, card or board games, conversations, journaling and, when appropriate, paying bills and shopping.
“Experts think the extra mental activity from education may protect the brain by strengthening connections between its cells. Neither education nor brain exercises are a sure way to prevent Alzheimer’s. But they may help delay symptoms and keep the mind working better for longer.”
Physical exercises:
Anything to increase circulation and reduce inflammation such as walking, dancing, gardening, singing…
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/exercise/early-middle-dementia
Home therapies
Far infrared (FIR) sauna
https://www.menshealth.com/health/a44079133/saunas-benefit-brain/
Yoga
“In a single-blind controlled study of the effects of yoga on elderly populations, researchers found that the group who practiced yoga “showed significant improvement in immediate and delayed recall of verbal and visual memory, attention and working memory, verbal fluency, executive function, and processing speed.”
Meditation
“Recent research has found that short daily practice of mind-body therapy may help alleviate some of the signs and symptoms that often precede dementia.”
Smelling Essential oils (Lavender)
“In a small, randomized control trial researchers found that when cognitively normal individuals were exposed to the scent of an essential oil for 2 hours every night over 6 months, they experienced a 226% improvement in memory compared with a control group who received only a trace amount of the diffused scent.”
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200448/full
NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS
Agent: Coconut (medium chain triglycerides) for Dementia
“Although coconut oil may offer several benefits in acting as an energy fuel for the brain, more research is necessary to confirm its safety and efficacy in the prevention and treatment of this condition.”
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Coconut-Oil-and-Dementia.aspx
see also:
Agent: Lithium for dementia
“A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that lithium’s GSK3-β inhibitory effect prevents tau phosphorylation in mouse models of tauopathies.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31156173/
“Moreover, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that lithium’s GSK3-β inhibitory effect prevents tau phosphorylation in mouse models of tauopathies. Clinical data have been inconclusive, partly due to methodological limitations.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31724518/
“Lithium as a mood stabilizer has been used as the standard pharmacological treatment for Bipolar Disorder (BD) for more than 60 years. Recent studies have also shown that it has the potential for the treatment of many other neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, through its neurotrophic, neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2800957/
and
https://weeksmd.com/2008/08/low-dose-lithium-protects-the-brain/
Agent: Vitamin D3 for dementia
“vitamin D exposure was associated with significantly longer dementia-free survival and lower dementia incidence rate than no exposure”
“According to mixed-model analysis, vitamin D group had significant increase in full scale IQ during follow-up period.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31296588/
Agent: Progesterone (Calm Cream™) for dementia
Calm Cream™ 1 pump on inner wrist, rub wrist to wrist in AM and before sleep
https://weeksmd.com/2014/06/progesterone-nerve-diseases/
and
“In conclusion, the results obtained in the present study show neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of progesterone in the myenteric plexus of MPTP mice that are similar to our previous findings in the brain. Progesterone is non-feminizing and could be used for both men and women in the pre-symptomatic stages of the disease.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31430407/
In an additional experiment, progesterone was administered for 5 days following MPTP treatment. Ilea were collected on day 10 of treatment and microdissected to isolate the myenteric plexus. Dopaminergic neurones were reduced by approximately 60% and pro-inflammatory macrophages were increased by approximately 50% in MPTP mice compared to intact controls. These changes were completely prevented by progesterone administered before and after MPTP treatment and were normalised by 8 mg kg-1 progesterone administered after MPTP.
“Several steroids, such as 17β-estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and allopregnanolone, can regulate neuroinflammatory responses. Here, we review the role of neurosteroids in neuroinflammation in the context of MS, AD, PD and TBI and describe underlying molecular mechanisms. Moreover, we introduce the concept that synthetic neurosteroid analogues could be potentially utilized for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in the future.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31513776/
Agent: DrDetox™ (clinoptilolite) for dementia
“further preclinical and clinical research on zeolites, in specific on the ZC and its modified forms as a potential agent for promoting human brain health and overall well-being.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6515299/
“The paper discusses the application of natural zeolites from clinoptilolite group for mercury removal”
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892687504000585
re lead detox
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8292361/
Agent: Super Ubiquinol Co Q 10 for dementia
“The review aims to summarize clinical and experimental effects of CoQ10 supplementations in some neurological diseases such as migraine, Parkinson´s disease, Huntington´s disease, Alzheimer´s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich´s ataxia or multiple sclerosis.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35199552/
“Applications of antioxidants to modulate oxidative stress could be a strategy in treating PD.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32650609/
Agent: Melatonin (high dose 60+ mg) for dementia
“In this review, we discuss and evaluate the neuroprotective functions of melatonin in AD pathogenesis, including its role in the classical hypotheses in cellular and animal models and clinical interventions in AD patients, and suggest that with early detection, melatonin treatment is qualified to be an anti-AD therapy.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5652010/
Agent: Black Cumin Seed (in SOUL and CORE) for dementia
“Black cumin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuron-protecting properties are likely responsible for the brain-boosting results.”
https://www.prevention.com/health/memory/a20455833/a-new-memory-booster/
“The current study demonstrates the role of NS in enhancing memory, attention and cognition. Therefore, whether NS could be considered as potential food supplement for preventing or slow progressing of Alzheimer disease needs further investigations.”
Agent: Unadulterated omega 6 seed oils
We know that flushing out bad quality inflammatory oils (rancid commercial vegetable oils) with good quality oils (MCT, and unadulterated organic non-GMO seed oils) can be highly beneficial.
Agent: Nitric Oxide for dementia
“Nitric Oxide can act as both protecting and aggravating factor in Alzheimer’s Disease. Nitric Oxide induces neuro plasticity, neuroprotection, neurogenesis, long-term potentiation, and myelination. Drugs based on Nitric Oxide have shown promising results in Alzheimer’s Disease. Nitric Oxide can via sundry ways ameliorate memory formation.”
Agent: Organic, non-GMO, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense seed nutrition
Watch this re optimizing health with seed nutrition https://www.dropbox.com/s/o0ckd8y69v3ogo2/Path%20to%20optimal%20nutrition%20and%20less%20medications.webloc?dl=0
MEDICATIONS
Cholinesterase inhibitors (Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine)
“Patients with dementia of mild to moderate may be the most likely to derive clinical benefit, which is typically modest and must be balanced with the risk of adverse effects.”
“Given the possibility that memantine may be disease modifying. However, in some patients with advanced dementia, it may make sense to discontinue administration of medications to maximize quality of life and patient comfort.
“While aducanumab appears highly effective in reducing brain amyloid levels, it is uncertain that patients benefit clinically from treatment. In addition, aducanumab has known risks that require close monitoring with clinical and imaging assessments. At present, we suggest against the routine use of aducanumab for patients with AD.”
Even the newest approved medication for Alzheimer’s Lecanemab (approved July 2023) which is enthusiastically received by my colleagues, is not impressive:
“There is no evidence this or any treatment can restore or reverse lost memories or cognitive function due to Alzheimer’s disease… The manufacturers of lecanemab announced they are setting the price of the drug at $26,500 a year.”
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments/lecanemab-leqembi
And this new agent has worrisome side-effects:
“But whether the drug is the “breakthrough” some are calling it, a small step in the right direction, or a yet another disappointment remains to be seen… About 20% of the patients who showed a slowing of cognitive decline on the drug has brain swelling … So those patients couldn’t continue to take the drug.”
SUMMARY
Cognitive deterioration is inevitable as we age, but there are many safe, effective and cost-effective agents which, by correcting disease-promoting imbalances, can retard and, in some instances, reverse the ravages of dementia. Optimizing cognitive performance in a safe, effective and cost-effective manner can help us optimize our enjoyment of our lives.
Dr. Bradford S. Weeks, M.D.
Aug 21th 2023