10 immediate ways to combat this ongoing brain function killer

Some years ago, my father-in-law began to show signs of dementia. When the family first took note of this, we were of course concerned, but not entirely shocked. He was in his mid-80s after all…

What was shocking was how quickly the symptoms devolved from mild to moderate to extreme. This was extremely difficult for my mother-in-law to accept. I remember her frustration one day when she said, “I thought dementia was supposed to develop slowly.”

In fact, it does develop slowly. In most cases — including my father-in-law — by the time symptoms are noticeable to others, the dementia has already been developing for years.

That’s why it’s essential to start dementia and Alzheimer’s prevention today.

Pouring fuel on the brain fire

You might have noticed that one of the key words repeated in the articles I send you is “inflammation.” And I expect by now, you also know why this word keeps popping up.

Inflammation plays a major role in chronic diseases — heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, gut disorders, vision problems — and is a driving force in these and many other health issues.

And that includes Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

One of the common features of Alzheimer’s in many patients is the aggregation of amyloid-beta protein plaques. Over many years, these plaques build up in the brain until they begin impeding the connections between neurons.

That alone is devastating, of course. But recent research reveals how inflammation makes this situation so much worse.

Scientists at Germany’s University of Bonn have been studying the way the brain’s immune system reacts to plaque progression. Recently, the Bonn team’s investigation demonstrated that when plaque builds up it activates an immune response that stimulates production of cytokines, which are powerful pro-inflammatory proteins.

When this inflammation flourishes it promotes more plaque aggregation, completing a cycle that leads to eventual disaster of neuro-degeneration.

In the journal Nature, the Bonn researchers say, “Our findings suggest that brain inflammation is not just a bystander phenomenon, but a strong contributor to disease progression.”

They also note that the mechanisms they’ve revealed offer a potential way to treat Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear.

In other words, they see their research as groundwork for an eventual drug. Honestly, that’s not a horse I would bet on. But in the meantime, they’ve given us an important confirmation that a key factor in Alzheimer’s progression is that notorious villain of health: inflammation.

One problem with multiple solutions

There’s a simple way to tell if your body is coping with inflammation. The next time your doctor orders a blood test, ask him to check your C-reactive protein (CRP). Your liver generates CRP in response to inflammation, so elevated CRP (more than 3.0 grams of CRP per liter of blood) indicates a health issue is setting off inflammation.

If your CRP is high, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re on the road to Alzheimer’s. But it’s a reliable tip that it’s time to take action.

In Dr. Fred Pescatore’s Drug-Free Protocol for Reversing Alzheimer’s and Dementia, he details a study that shows CRP’s value as a red flag warning. University of California researchers compared CRP levels to results of memory tests in aging volunteers. Those with elevated CRP scored lower on the tests compared with their peers who had no measurable CRP.

Volunteers in that study didn’t have Alzheimer’s or dementia (not yet, anyway), but memory loss was clearly evident. Dr. Pescatore has been discussing this connection for years. He says, “That’s why I always tell my patients inflammation is the silent culprit behind those annoying ‘senior moments’ which become more and more frequent as you age.”

But Dr. Pescatore has a solution to curb inflammation and those senior moments. In fact, he has 10 solutions, all packed into the nutritious, lifesaving power of flavonoids.

Dr. Pescatore explains that flavonoids are antioxidant compounds which give plant foods their color — such as the blue in blueberries, the purple in eggplant, and the green of cruciferous vegetables. And when you put multiple flavonoids together in your daily diet, they help keep your body’s inflammatory response in check — particularly the neuro-inflammation in your brain.

As I mentioned in a recent article, flavonoids deliver many benefits, including immune system support and regulation of blood sugar. In addition, Dr. Pescatore notes that flavonoids also keep the lines of communication between brain cells open. He says, “If your brain cells are ‘talking’ to each other, it helps keep your memory intact and your thinking clear. And those senior moments simply don’t happen.”

One recent study included more than 1,600 elderly men and women and observed their dietary flavonoid intake. Over the course of a decade, those with higher intake had better brain performance and experienced significantly less age-related mental decline than those with a lower flavonoid intake.

For many years, Dr. Pescatore has been teaching his patients about the importance of eating a flavonoid-rich diet and its ability to cool down an inflamed brain. Without further ado, here’s Dr. Pescatore’s list of TOP 10 superstar flavonoid sources:

  • Blueberries
  • Strawberries
  • Leafy green veggies
  • Artichokes
  • Eggplant
  • Cabbage
  • Tomatoes
  • Leeks
  • Tea
  • Dark chocolate

It’s that easy — and delicious! In just one pass through your grocery store’s produce section, you can treat yourself to the feast your brain cells crave.

From food to superfood

Dr. Pescatore recognizes that you might not always have on hand all of the high flavonoid foods, all the time. As he says, “There’s only so many blueberries and eggplant one person can eat!”

That’s why he recommends powering up your daily flavonoid regimen with supplements.

For instance, he says, “Quercetin is a flavonoid found naturally in foods like onions and garlic, and quercetin supplements are widely available, and can be found at most local pharmacies or health supplement retailers. I recommend 50 mg per day.

“Also, look for a powdered superfood blend. These beverage mix formulas are popping up everywhere these days, and more and more of them are starting to include berries in addition to other superfoods.”

Dr. Pescatore specifically recommends Barlean’s Greens powder — 1 tablespoon mixed with water twice a day.

You can learn more about curbing brain inflammation and other strategies to support brain health in Dr. Pescatore’s newly-released Drug-Free Protocol for Reversing Alzheimer’s and Dementia. To learn more about this protocol, or enroll today, click here.

 

SOURCES

http://www.lifeextension.com/News/LefDailyNews?NewsID=27567&Section=AGING
Inflammation drives progression of Alzheimer’s
Life Extension
December 29, 2017