Functional Medicine Dementia Care

 

Someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds with over 10 million new cases worldwide each year. But despite this shocking number, and the impact that dementia has on our lives and institutions, there are few if any effective treatments available within the conventional medical paradigm. 

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Is Alzheimer’s preventable?

More and more research studies show that diet and lifestyle are huge factors in preventing this disease. (1)

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Changes in the brain, including lower numbers of synapses, can occur years before the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear. These early synapse losses suggest a possible window of opportunity to prevent or delay dementia symptoms. (1)

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How does synapse loss lead to Alzheimer’s?

 

The brain communicates through a vast network of nerve cells. These nerve cells connect via junctions called synapses and make it possible to create and recall memories. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease (compared with the normal aging process), synapse loss is accelerated. (2)

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There are eight things that accelerate synapse loss: (3) 

• Head trauma 

• Stroke

• Hypertension

• Diabetes

• High Cholesterol 

• High Homocysteine 

• Low Exercise 

• Specific Genes

 

Nutrition’s Role in Alzheimer’s Disease

 

Synapse formations depend on proper nutrient absorption. As stated above, five out of the eight factors influencing synapse loss were nutrition related. (4) 

 

When synapse lose their ability to communicate, they die, and the brain begins to shrink. As more neurons die throughout the brain, a person with Alzheimer’s gradually loses the ability to think, remember, make decisions, and function independently.

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References

(1) What Do We Know About Diet and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease? (2019, November 27). Retrieved from National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-do-we-know-about-diet-and-prevention-alzheimers-disease

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(2) Synapses: the building blocks of memory. (2021). Retrieved from nutriciaresearch: https://www.nutriciaresearch.com/alzheimers-disease/synapses-the-building-blocks-of-memory/

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(3) Vreeland's, D. C. (n.d.). Alzheimer's disease: The Aging Brain. Retrieved from Functional Medicine University: https://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/members/1059.cfm