The Neuro-Protective Lifestyle

The beta-amyloid deposits found within the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease are the result of a series of complex genetic-environmental interactions that occur over a life-time. In other words, for those genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease, a sedentary lifestyle (think decreased cerebral blood flow), combined with S.A.D. (aka the Standard American Diet) spells disaster.

The standard american diet is simply not nutritionally dense enough to prevent excess oxidative damage and the formation of highly reactive oxygen species within the brain. As a result, oxidative damage is so prevalent within the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), that no class of biomolecule, nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates can escape.

To make matters worse, the presence of ß-amyloid in the brain is so disruptive that additional free-radical formation occurs, resulting in even greater oxidative stress and rapid escalation of the neuro-inflammatory cascade.

An antioxidant’s willingness to sacrifice itself for the ‘greater good’ may very well represent the brains last line of defense in a life-long struggle to preserve cognitive function.

Most epidemiological (population-based) studies support a link between dietary antioxidant intake and a decreased incidence of dementia. Laboratory studies confirm that polyphenols such as quercetin (think berries, onions and broccoli) are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and have pronounced neuroprotective properties.

Of course, you can take polyphenols, or virtually any antioxidant for that matter in pill form, but consider this -

Naturally occurring phenolic acids are known to work in different cellular compartments and frequently exhibit synergistic properties making the potential antioxidant effect much greater. Also, naturally occurring polyphenols possess anti-inflammatory properties, an integral part of their neuroprotective potential.

Again, so why not just take a pill rather than eating an antioxidant-rich, nutrient dense diet ? A polyphenol-rich diet is the secret to preventing excess calorie consumption. Reducing oxidative stress by caloric restriction is the key mechanism behind slowing the aging process (at least in animals). Check out “Brain Health And The Seven Human Sirtuins” for a closer look at neurobiology of aging.

Putting polyphenols back into your diet is not as hard as you may think! I keep an alphabetized list of “unorthodox” polyphenol-rich foods in my head and try to balance my intake over the course of a month rather than day to day. Try it and see. An ounce of “awareness” can prevent a pound of ß-amyloid plaque formation.

Artichokes, apricots
Berries (all of em’)
Chocolate
Dill
Eggplant, elder flower
Flax
Guava, ginger, grapes
Hawthorn, honeydew melon
I can’t think of one
Java apple
Kiwi
Licorice (the real one)
Mango, milk thistle
Nuts, like almonds
Olive oil, oregano, oranges
Pomegranate, paprika, pumpkin
Question everything
Rhubarb, rose hips
Sweet potato, sesame seeds
Tea green and otherwise, turmeric
U think of one
Vanilla (not the synthetic extract)
Wine, watermelon
Xanthin’s (yellow foods - peaches, papaya)
Your turn
Zucchini

When I said ‘unorthodox’ I meant it.

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There are just some things you can do without - and the following four prescription medications are a great example.

Zyprexa
Risperdal
Seroquel
Abilify

Classified as “atypical antipsychotics”, these drugs are intended to treat schizophrenia and serious mood disorders. “Off-label” however, they are used as chemical strait-jackets to quiet disruptive patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In fact, antipsychotics are now the No. 1 class of drugs paid for by Medicaid.

While they may make the night-shift more manageable at the nursing home, multiple studies have confirmed a startling 54 percent increased risk of dying within 12 weeks of starting the medication. In other studies the risk was higher. In every case the risk was the same regardless of which atypical antipsychotic was prescribed.

In my experience, elderly patients do better with fewer medications. If an elderly patient develops behavioral changes, it may be a progression of the dementia or they may have a simple urinary tract infection or be in pain and not able to communicate it.

If you have a loved one already taking an antipsychotic medication, ask for the nursing home and the doctor’s help in establishing whether it is truly helping and not in fact harming the patient. Remind them of the potential risks involved (something they should already be familiar with) and ask them to review the patients current health status and check all medications being given for adverse effects or possible drug interactions. Alternative treatments are almost always available, so be persistent. You may save your loved one’s life.

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