Evidence is growing that we can prevent and even reverse memory loss, and the earlier we start, the greater our success.
This is an extremely important issue, as cognitive decline is the most expensive and debilitating disease in the US and the western world.
What makes this even more alarming is that the rates for memory loss are projected to double between now and 2030, just a decade away.
Memory loss is also the disease that people dread the most, even more than cancer, as nobody wants to lose their independence and become a long-term burden on their loved ones.
Sugar (and flour) consumption with consequential abnormal blood sugar control remains the #1 cause for memory loss and taking steps to improve insulin sensitivity seems fundamental to prevent this rapidly growing problem. Even mild elevations in blood sugar levels result in a dramatic increase in your risk for cognitive decline. However, blood sugar control is not the only cause and at least two dozen other factors contribute to cognitive decline.
Here are tips from my book, The Better Brain Solution, that will help improve your brain performance and decrease your risk for memory loss:
- Avoid consuming sugar and flour, such as sweets, bread, cereals, and crackers.
- Add daily activity, with a mixture of strength training and aerobic movement.
- Follow a Mediterranean diet, eating more vegetables, fruits, nuts, seafood, olive oil, beans, spices and herbs.
- Meet your brain nutrient needs, especially for long-chain omega-fats, vitamin B12 and natural folate, magnesium, vitamin D, and probiotics.
- Manage your stress proactively, adding meditation daily and a good night’s sleep.
- Avoid brain toxins, like tobacco, mercury, nitrosamines, and inorganic copper.
There are brand new tips to help you prevent and reverse memory decline in the latest book, The End of Alzheimer’s Program, by my colleague Dr. Dale Bredesen, MD. For people with early memory loss, it will help to restore brain function and quality of life. Dr. Bredesen has even helped some people reverse Alzheimer’s disease, something that was previously thought impossible.
Fasting is one of Dr. Bredesen’s simple to follow steps. Fast for at least 12 hours (and up to 15 hours) either every day or most days of the week. Basically, you avoid eating or drinking food and beverages starting at 8 pm at night and do not consume any calories until 8 am the following day. The time you chose to fast is up to you. Fasting helps prevent you from forming beta-amyloid, the protein that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Fasting also appears to help improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control.
Below you will find the interview I did with Dr. Dale Bredesen discussing his NEW book The End of Alzheimer’s Program.
The bottom line is that there are many steps that will improve your cognitive function and potentially prevent memory loss.
I wish you the best of health!
Steven Masley, MD, FAHA, FACN, CNS