Are You Chronically Forgetful? Do You Have Brain Fog? Part 2: Prime Cognition, Featuring The Bredesen Protocol
Welcome to Part 2 of our article on Prime Cognition Featuring the Bredesen Protocol!
Two weeks ago we mentioned various types and causes of brain fog and Alzheimer’s, including some general examples of protocols which may be used. We also mentioned the head of our Prime Cognition program: Annmarie McManus, PA-C, IFMCP who recently gave a talk at Eastern University regarding brain health!
Part 2 of this series will discuss some ways you can further optimize your brain health.
Some Prime Cognition Recommendations:
Check your home’s ERMI (Environmental Relative Mold Index) score!
-This score informs you if you may be exposed to certain molds or mycotoxins. Ideally, the score should be less than two, higher could mean that the exposure is potentially harmful.
2. Diet Recommendations--we personalize these for you, and may recommend a Keto or Mito diet.
-Sometimes a ketogenic diet is recommended to improve brain function. As you age, your brain gets better at using ketones rather than glucose, so a ketogenic diet can help prevent or reduce Alzheimer’s disease. Insulin resistance can also be a leading factor towards brain decline, and a keto diet decreases blood sugar and increases insulin sensitivity, preventing negative symptoms associated with insulin resistance in the brain. This diet is not for everyone! Speak to your provider before starting a diet.
3. Consider MCT (Medium chain triglycerides) Oil.
-This oil is composed of fatty acids. One of the three ways to generate ketones in your body is to through taking MCT oil. The other two ways are breaking down fat in your own body and taking ketone salts/ esters. MCT oil induces mild ketosis, but it can impact your cholesterol levels, so make sure you track your cholesterol at a baseline before taking MCT oil.
4. Practice Intermittent Fasting
-This technique can remove amyloid proteins which are associated with Alzheimer’s. Amyloid is a type of misfolding event where the proteins unfold from their soluble forms to their insoluble forms, which can cause deposits. If you have the Alzheimer’s gene, it is recommended to fast overnight for 14-16 hours. If the gene is not present, it is recommended to fast for 12-14 hours. The gut needs 4 hours to digest, the liver needs 8 hours to detox. The fasting hours can and should include the time you spend sleeping! Always be careful when fasting, depending on your health condition. BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) is a growth hormone for the brain. This hormone increases with intermittent fasting!
5. Evaluate your microbiome through a validated stool study--to personalize probiotic recommendations
-Your microbiome, when in balance, is profoundly anti-inflammatory. Not everyone should take probiotics or probiotic foods, for example Kimchi, miso, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Foods containing prebiotics include Jicama, asparagus, onion, garlic, and Jerusalem artichokes.
At Philadelphia Integrative Medicine, we perform a “cognoscopy” which is recommended for anyone over the age of 40!
Cognoscopies include blood work, genetic testing and simple cognitive assessments to determine potential contributors. See where you stand and get started on active prevention.
It may be possible to make Alzheimer’s a rare disease within the current generation!
Contact Philadelphia Integrative Medicine today. Don’t wait until you’re symptomatic.
Join our Prime Cognition Membership Program at Philadelphia Integrative Medicine, led by our Institute for Functional Medicine certified PA-C Annmarie McManus. Annmarie is certified in Bredesen Cognition protocol. Optimize your brain health and prevent cognitive impairment!
Click the following link for more information on our Prime Cognition program and access to a wonderful talk by Annmarie McManus on brain health: https://philly-im.com/prime-cognition/
Please join us for a lively, FREE discussion on Prime Cognition and optimizing brain health at Eastern University on November 14th! It will be led by Annmarie McManus, PA-C, PT, IFMCP. and Georgia Tetlow MD, ABIOM. & Click the following link for more information: https://philly-im.com/event/prime-cognition-11-14
Or schedule your a 20 minute free consultation or an appointment with Annmarie McManus, MMSc, PA-C, PT, IFMCP. Not quite ready to schedule and have questions, quickly get in touch with us today!
Written by Dani Mortimer, Clinic Manager
References:
Bredesen, Dale. “A New Approach to Treating Alzheimer's.” Goop, Goop, 13 Sept. 2018, goop.com/wellness/health/a-new-approach-to-treating-alzheimers/?utm_source=social-email&utm_medium=social-earned&utm_campaign=onsite-share-button.
Rambaran, Roma N, and Louise C Serpell. “Amyloid Fibrils.” Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2634529/.