What Would You Do To Keep Your Brain?
I like to read, and the older I get, the more my reading list (and the pile of books next to my bed) grows. The vast majority of what I read is either on business/leadership or on faith, but occasionally a book on a wildly different subject crosses my path, and I feel compelled to add it to the mix. Such is the case with a book I just picked up called, “The End of Alzheimer’s- the First Programme to Prevent and Reverse the Cognitive Decline of Dementia”, by Dr. Dale Bredesen.
Some context: I was at lunch with a few people recently and one (slightly younger than me) was recounting the difficult situation with his mother who has severe dementia. It is a familiar story, and for people my age who have elderly parents, a worry even if our parents are currently ok. My grandmother had Alzheimer’s so I have seen first hand the devastation, not only to the individual but to the people around them.
This fellow at lunch was saying that he had come upon the Bredesen protocol — as described in this book- and had even spoken with some people who had actually reversed their dementia. However, it is quite a strict regime, and as such wouldn’t work for the level of care needed in his mother’s case. Something which really is gut wrenching for sure.
Our conversation turned to whether this protocol could be implemented as a preventative measure, and the supposition is that it indeed can be. I have recently witnessed a relative of mine, diagnosed with Diabetes, who was able to reverse the diagnosis and get off all medicines (much to the shock of his doctors who said it wouldn’t be possible)- but again this was a very strict regime that he put himself on to get this tremendous result. I am not a particular fan of fanatical exercise or diet programs for the sake of looks (although I am quite sure I could benefit from them, there is a level of vanity that I find unbecoming, so they aren’t a fit). However, if there is something I could do that would spare my own kids the pain and trauma of having to care for me in my later years with a potential for Alzheimers, it is worth it.
I haven’t yet read this book- but I wanted to put it out there that my intention is to either come up with a reason (once I do read it) why I don’t believe that this is valid, or in fact commit to following this protocol for 6 months to observe whether there is any change in my ability to process information, feel more energetic — or otherwise get enough value from it to make it worth continuing. Stay tuned for Part 2- my conclusion when I read this book!
