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Jul 23 min read

Prevention and Treatment of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment with Dr. Izabella Kogan

skeletal inflammation — Prevention and Treatment of Dementia

When I graduated from med school 30 years ago. Dementia was one of the most threatening diagnoses. Just two subtypes were known as Vascular and Alzheimer's dementia and there were two types of treatment on market medications like Aricept and Memantine. There was a concept that an amyloid protein destroys nerve cells, ruining personalities and taking away our loved ones. Over the last few years, the work of neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen has changed that paradigm. Dr. Bredesen has developed a RECODE protocol that helped to reverse Alzheimer's disease in hundreds of people.

What did Dr. Bredesen discover ?

The main idea is that dementia is not caused by one pathogen. Our medicine likes simple connections. For example, if patients have strep throat they need Penicillin. Using a twenty-first-century approach, Dr. Bredesen has found that treating Alzheimer’s is analogous to repairing a roof with 36 holes. Treating the disease requires addressing many aspects of the body at one time, as you would when repairing holes in a roof. The more holes you cover, the more success you have at fixing the problem.

Several subtypes of dementia were found:

Inflammatory: Anything that contributes to chronic inflammation can contribute to dementia. For example, changes in oral microbiome, chronic dental and sinus infection, leaky gut, chronic herpes or Epstein Barr infections play a role in memory decline. I suggest treating all herpes outbreaks, visiting the biological dentist, and clearing all dental infections in order to protect your most valuable asset, your brain. Typically taking a high dose of Omega 3 - 2 to 4 grams a day for one to two months is enough to resolve inflammation.
Glycotoxic: Dementia is called type 3 Diabetes. The science shows that virtually all people with Alzheimer's dementia have insulin resistance in their brains. When cells are not responsive to insulin they are not able to utilize glucose and die. Keeping blood sugars between 5 to 7 mmol/l and Hb a1C around 5,5 is paramount for the prevention of cognitive decline. Support for insulin sensitivity can be enhanced by berberine, NAC, zinc, magnesium, and metformin.
Trophic: This type of dementia is caused by nutrient deficiency. The main nutrient is oxygen. Uncontrolled hypertension eventually results in blood vessels narrowing and so-called microangiopathic brain atrophy. It is desirable to keep your BP around 120/80 to protect your brain. Sleep apnea is a commonly overlooked cause of dementia. A lot of time patients are not comfortable with CPAP machines. There is a wonderful attachment called V com, 30 dollars on Amazon. It makes CPAP treatment very tolerable and comfortable. Other pieces of the trophic puzzle are hormones like estrogen and testosterone, and nutrients like DHA, omega 3, Vit D, B complex.
Physical exercise increases BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Physical exercise 30 min a day x 6 days a week is brain protective. EWOT - exercise with oxygen at Queens Medical Center helps to improve cerebral blood flow.
Toxic: Unfortunately we all live in an ocean of toxicity. If you don't eat organic you will ingest pesticides like glyphosate on a daily basis. Nonorganic rice and chicken contain Arsenic. Most of us have mercury amalgam filings, which are neurotoxic and cancerogenic. The amount of mercury in one amalgam is enough to kill all fish in a small pond. I would suggest seeing a dentist certified in SMART protocol (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Treatment.) The water we drink, 5G Wi-Fi signals, and black mold in our washroom put stress on our neurons. To detox I would suggest filtered water 1 to 4 liters a day. Sweating from exercise or sauna. The was one study from Finland that showed that a sauna taken 4 times a week reduces the risk of dementia by 50%. Detoxifying food like Brussels sprouts, kale, lemon, ginger, and beetroot.