Alzheimer’s Disease: The Result of the Brain Trying to Protect Itself

Another trip to the bookstore; another stack of books purchased and ready to be consumed. This trip yields books on gut health, eating to avoid dementia, and of course, Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important for me to keep up with the latest information, because it is changing. What we knew about Alzheimer’s 20 years ago is almost antiquated. What we knew a mere 5 years ago isn’t exactly accurate today. So, I bust open a new pack of highlighters and read. Here’s what I found.

Alzheimer’s is the Result of a Protective Response in the Brain

According to Dr. Bredesen in his new book The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline (2017), Alzheimer’s disease is a result of the brain responding to particular threats. It does this because the brain usually wins the battle against outside threats and then goes on to function normally. We can thank our brain for doing this on a daily basis. The problem arises when the brain is bombarded by relentless, long-lasting, and multiple invaders. The brain simply cannot withstand that type of attack for a long period of time. What protects the brain then transforms into disease.

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Enemies of the Brain

Dr. Bredensen so simply lays out the case that Alzheimer’s is what happens when our brain attempts to protect itself from 3 specific threats: inflammation, decline in brain nutrients, and toxins. We are learning more and more about these three enemies of the brain (and body), especially inflammation and how harmful it is as we age. Inflammation can be derived from many sources including our diet and infection. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet is important for good brain and body health.

Another enemy of the brain involves the decline or shortage of important brain-supporting nutrients, hormones and other brain-supporting molecules. Toxins and biotoxins are the last threat that Dr. Bredensen discusses. Metals and poisons produced by microbes such as molds are also attacking the brain and when they are in abundance and in combination with inflammation and lack of brain nutrients, the brain loses the battle and Alzheimer’s disease is the victor.

What can we do to Fight Enemies of the Brain?

Recognizing that these three enemies are what’s behind the brain defending itself and then turning on itself is the first step. We must then identify specific things in our environment, diet and lifestyle that may work against our brain health. Then, think about ways of reducing them or eliminating them altogether. We must think about how to help our brain function optimally and do what we can to help it protect itself. More on this in an upcoming article and video!

Amyloid

After we modify our diet, behavior, and maybe even our environment, it’s time to remove another enemy of the brain – amyloid. Dr. Bredesen states “After removing the three kinds of threats, the next step is to remove the amyloid itself. Once you’ve eliminated the triggers for amyloid production plus the amyloid that has already been produced, you need to rebuild the synapses that the disease has destroyed” (p. 27).

Programmatics and Monotherapy

He then brings up the new field of programmatics which involves developing the best treatment plans for an individual based on identification of the threats and contributors of the disease. What pharmacology has delivered so far – the single pill treatment – has not been largely successful. Most Alzheimer’s medications will work for 3 to 6 months, show some mild effects, and then become virtually useless. Why is this? Taking one pill is considered monotherapy, and is ineffective in fighting multiple threats. One medication cannot go to battle with three enemies: inflammation, lack of brain nutrients and multiple toxins, and win.

Final Words on Alzheimer’s Disease

The more I learn about Alzheimer’s, the less I thought I knew about it. That’s why it’s important for me to keep researching through what has been called the most important disease of the 21st Century. Our brain is a magnificent computer protecting itself from invaders and viruses on a daily basis, and most of the time it wins. When there are too many incoming invaders, like inflammation, poor brain nutrition and biotoxins, the incredible brain becomes overwhelmed and in trying to protect itself, jump starts the process known as Alzheimer’s. Who knew?