Dementia is an epidemic in Arizona and America. Whether Alzheimer’s type dementia, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, Lewy Body dementia, mixed dementia or others, the result is the same. Loss of memory, declining mental function, loss of quality of life, and death. Neurodegenerative disease (most of which is Alzheimer’s or mixed type dementia) is the fastest growing cause of death in America. Dementia is the only major disease for which we have no effective drug treatment options.
Pfizer, a major American pharmaceutical giant, recently stated that they will be pulling out of Alzheimer’s treatment research. It has been 15 years since a new drug for Alzheimer’s was launched, reflecting one of the longest and most expensive losing streaks for Big Pharma. Now some in the industry are starting to question how long that commitment can last, after Pfizer announced it was pulling out of neuroscience research. Its decision means the race to find the first medicine to slow or halt Alzheimer’s type dementia must now proceed without one of the biggest forces in drug development.
John LaMattina, a former head of research and development at Pfizer, interprets the decision as a portent of things to come, and predicts other large drug makers will eventually follow suit.
What if the Solution was Not a Drug?
The FINGER study in Finland (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25771249) showed remarkable improvements in the high-risk older group studied through Lifestyle Change. Dr. Dale Bredesen, neuroscience researcher and former professor of medicine at UCLA wrote the ground-breaking book, “The End of Alzheimer’s” documenting the 30 years of research in his lab and others showing that Alzheimer’s type dementia is really many diseases. The research shows at least 36 documented root causes of the neurodegenerative disease process. We don’t “get” Alzheimer’s type dementia like we get the flu. We develop it over many years – usually decades – as a result of our lifestyle failing to fit our unique genetic and epigenetic needs.
It’s not just genetic. That’s right. Our genes do NOT determine our health. They influence our health. It is the interaction of our lifestyle choices, our environment, and our genes known as epigenetics that determines which genes turn on and which stay turned off. For the majority of human diseases, our lifestyle choices far outweigh our genes in determining our health and wellness. This is Great News!
Our understanding of the root causes of dementia and what we can do about it has expanded greatly. Yes, we can live with a healthy mind and body for a lifetime. In the areas of the world documented in the excellent book, Blue Zones (https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150412-longevity-health-blue-zones-obesity-diet-ngbooktalk/), it is NORMAL to live to age 100 and beyond with high level Wellness of body and mind. This is done through lifestyle, not a drug.
Discover Magazine did an excellent summary article in December 2018 issue entitled: “Alzheimer’s Under Attack – Armed with big data, researchers turn to customized lifestyle changes to fight the disease”. Dr. Leroy Hood, biomedical pioneer & chief science officer for one of our nation’s largest non-profit health care systems, says, “Alzheimer’s is a really complex disease that has been utterly intractable.” He goes on to say, “Taking a systems approach reflects my own conviction that these complex diseases almost never respond to a single drug.”
It takes a systems approach process to solve the multiple pieces of the puzzle behind each person with dementia. More importantly, we need to solve the unique puzzle of each sufferer of brain decline since we are each different. This is not a “one size fits all” approach since, in my experience, there is no one size that fits all. Often medical research studies look for what single factor (usually a drug) creates a benefit in a large study group creating statistical significance for the study group – not individuals. This model fails to address the fact that each of us is unique with a dozen or more “root causes” behind our brain degeneration and dementia. This current double-blind placebo-controlled research model is ill-suited to complex, chronic neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. These complex diseases have multiple lifestyle-related causes different for each individual and multiple interventions are needed for synergistic therapeutic benefits. Medical studies typically study just one drug or intervention at a time which is just not enough to shift the direction of an unusually difficult, complex disease process like dementia.
Dr, Timothy C. Gerhart, D.C., DABCI, Dip. Ac., BCN is the author of 4 books on lifestyle approaches to brain and body Wellness and practices in Peoria, Arizona. His most recent book, “Living Free of Dementia – Solving the Puzzle to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline” is scheduled for release in March 2019.
His other books are: “7 Secrets to Wellness, Change Your Brain, Transform Your Life, & Why Am I Not Right Since My Concussion”. Dr. Gerhart understands that the word “doctor” means “teacher” and is available to present to groups to teach the approaches he uses to prevent and reverse cognitive decline.
It is possible that the foods you are eating can be part of the reason why. Sometimes we might even be on a “healthy” diet, but our gut and brain are reacting to some of our food choices – particularly foods we eat frequently. Our foods can either nourish us or create inflammation.
What is the difference between a food sensitivity and food allergy?
A food sensitivity, or food specific IgG reaction, can be more difficult to diagnose than a food allergy because it triggers a delayed immune response or inflammatory reaction. Once the body perceives a certain food or drink as a threat, it produces a range of inflammatory responses that can take 72 hours or more to appear in the body and brain.
A food allergy can trigger immediate, sometimes life-threatening reactions presenting in symptoms such as hives, stomach cramps, or the more extreme symptoms of not being able to breathe, or even anaphylactic shock.
Why get tested for food sensitivities?
Food sensitivities can be very disruptive and debilitating to an individual’s life.
Is it important for you to understand your personal food sensitivities so that you can create health, energy. low inflammation, and general well being in your body? Then, a food sensitivity test that measures your IgG reaction to certain foods is a great place to start!
At Renovare Wellness by Design and Renovare Brain Wellness we create a customized Therapeutic Lifestyle Change program called TLC to address the puzzle pieces below which support maximum brain and body wellness!
This includes addressing your food sensitivities. We have health coaches available to help you create eating plans specific to your sensitivities and guide you through your journey.
Give us a call today at 623.776.0206 to schedule your food sensitivity testing or to schedule a consultation.
A program to support Leaky Gut repair and Microbiome diversity restoration that includes 6 months of Wellness Mentor support. The program also includes 6 months of the Microbiome Labs specialty supplements for this program.
This matters since disruption of the gut microbiome has been implicated in anxiety, autism, depression, dementia, obesity, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune disease, IBS, Type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, GERD, systemic infection, and many others.
This program includes 6 months of:
Mega Sporebiotic – an ultra-effective, newly available spore-based probiotic that research shows:
Improves Leaky Gut 60% in 30 days
Increases gut healing Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA’s) by 40%
Increases microbiome diversity – critical to gut health & healing
Encourages growth of 4 critical keystone strains of bacteria
Boosts levels of the most bioavailable anti-oxidants known to science
Aids in digestion & Improves regularity
Helps control bacterial overgrowth
Detoxifies the intestinal tract
Reduces inflammation & pain to support brain health
The holiday season can filled with hustle and bustle, creating much stress in our bodies. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a quick, effective technique to help reduce this stress? Well there is! Intentional, deep breathing can help shift your body and emotions into a state of peace and relaxation.
One simple technique is called the 4-7-8 breathing technique. This technique is explained in the below video by Dr. Andrew Weil.
Intentional deep breathing has many health benefits:
Detoxifies and Releases Toxins
Releases Tension and Calm Nerves
Improves Quality of the Blood
Strengthen the Lungs
Elevates Moods
Can help lower blood pressure
Helps your digestive system
Releases endorphins throughout the body.
Endorphins are feel-good, natural painkillers created by our own bodies.
Increases oxygen which provides energy,
Learning a few techniques and taking just a few moments each day to practice some deep breathing exercises can decrease stress, relax your mind and body and help you sleep better too!
Neuroinflammation or the Brain on Fire is the Root mechanism for Alzheimers, Parkinsons and many of our brain diseases. When our brain is on fire, our brain begins to degenerate. We lose volume and our brain begins to shrink from the inside and outside.
When we tip one way we are making neural connections in the brain, when we tip the other we are removing neural connections in the brain. This moves us towards Alzheimers and other types of dementia.
The research shows us 36 factors that influence towards Alzheimers or towards brain health. They include:
insulin sensitivity
vitamin D – critical for brain health
essential fatty acids
brain derived neurotropic factors
how well our mitochondria works to make energy
glutathione (an essential molecule for antioxidant balance)
improving blood flow to our brain
Reducing oxidative stress
neurotransmitter hormone balance
optimizing our cortisol and stress hormones
improving GABA which is calming to our brain
enhancing detoxification.
How do we help people with Neurodegeneration? We help them by dealing with root issues – not covering up symptoms. We work by solving the puzzle of why we are having our issues. We use a functional medicine, functional neurology approach
Dementia is an epidemic in Arizona and America. Whether Alzheimer’s type dementia, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, Lewy Body dementia, mixed dementia or others, the result is the same. Loss of memory, declining mental function, loss of quality of life, and death. Neurodegenerative disease (most of which is Alzheimer’s or mixed type dementia) is the fastest growing cause of death in America. Dementia is the only major disease for which we have no effective drug treatment options.
Dr, Timothy C. Gerhart, D.C., DABCI, Dip. Ac., BCN is the author of 4 books on lifestyle approaches to brain and body Wellness and practices in Peoria, Arizona. His most recent book, “Living Free of Dementia – Solving the Puzzle to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline” is scheduled for release in March 2019. 
A program to support Leaky Gut repair and Microbiome diversity restoration that includes 6 months of Wellness Mentor support. The program also includes 6 months of the Microbiome Labs specialty supplements for this program.
Neuroinflammation or the Brain on Fire is the Root mechanism for Alzheimers, Parkinsons and many of our brain diseases. When our brain is on fire, our brain begins to degenerate. We lose volume and our brain begins to shrink from the inside and outside.
