Alzheimer’s Prevention May NOW be Possible: New Study Show’s How

If you attended one of my classes in the past 5 years, you heard me talk about the various things that can contribute to age-related cognitive/memory decline, and Alzheimer’s. And you heard me advocate for a combined approach involving good nutrition and physical exercise to reduce insulin resistance and stress; plus mental and social activities to promote brain growth and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s.

For many years there have been a number of insightful doctors and other health care professionals who have advocated such an approach. Some of us have even claimed that combination  could/should prevent the development of Alzheimer’s. But we were a bit hesitant to declare that, because…well, it had never been proven in any good, well controlled large scale study. But NOW THAT IS HAPPENING!

Last month at the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference in Copenhagen, an exciting new study was presented that is destined to change the focus of Alzheimer’s research and medical practice, and gives new hope to millions!
The study is called the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER). In this new controlled trial out of Finland, involving more than 1200 seniors, it was demonstrated for the first time (in a major study) that this type of combined approach could in fact improve mental performance. Moreover, it was dramatically demonstrated to reduce risk for, and probably “prevent” Alzheimer’s in most cases, even in those at high risk for the disease.

In this study researchers randomly assigned older individuals, ages 60-77, at high risk for developing Alzheimer’s, to a combined lifestyle intervention or to normal health care. The objective was to see if the various behaviors previously linked to better brain health could actually stave off cognitive decline. After two years the results revealed those who adhered to the healthy lifestyle, not only stopped declining, but showed improvements in their mental abilities, including memory, judgment and planning, and psycho-motor speed on a multitasking test. Instead of their brain slowing down they actually were able to think and function faster, better!

“We were surprised that we were able to see a clear difference already after two years,” noted Dr. Miia Kivipelto, one of the study directors from the Karolinska Institute of Sweden.

So now you may be wondering: What did this ‘combined lifestyle intervention’ consist of?  Well, basically it included what we talked about in class! i.e.  1. nutritional guidance to better manage metabolic and vascular risk factors i.e. obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, 2. physical exercise, 3. cognitive/mental training, and 4. social interaction.

Unfortunately the details of the study were not revealed in their conference address, nor are they yet published. But with the help of a good contact in the Alzheimer’s Association’s library in Chicago I was able to get my hands on some of the preliminary findings they used in coaching the experimental group.

In a 2004 study in Sweden conducted by one of the teams that led this investigation, they showed the synergistic value of a combined approach involving physical and mental activity and social interaction. But what that study lacked was a good dietary component.

Numerous studies have shown malnutrition to be a main if not the main contributor to cognitive decline in seniors. The primary pathway you may recall from Dr. Craft’s research, is through “insulin resistance” which results in high blood sugar, protein damage, obesity, and high blood pressure (all documented risk factors for dementia).

So in this preliminary study they looked at what these seniors were eating and how that correlated with their scores on various cognitive tests. The strongest correlation with cognitive performance was found with the consumption of vegetables (but not fruit), and intake of vitamin E. In their words “Those with higher vegetable consumption had better performance in total score and [on a timed psycho-motor “Trail making test”]. Similarly, increasing vitamin E intake was associated with better performance in both the total score and the TMT. Furthermore, higher consumption of fish, and higher intake of folate, respectively, were associated with better TMT scores.

Of added note was the finding that higher caloric intake (which in Europe and this test they call “E” for Energy) from fat and lower caloric intake from carbohydrates were associated with better performance. Their Conclusions: “Higher intakes of energy (calories) and vitamin E, and higher vegetables consumption were associated with better cognitive performance among older adults at risk for dementia.”[1]

So what is the take home for us? Eating more nutrient dense whole foods with folate and  fiber such as green leafy and other vegetables, beans, peas, etc. plus more healthy fat, from fish (like the Omega-3’s) avocado’s, coconut and olive oil, for example, fewer carbs (bread, pasta) and sugar, and more foods or supplements high in antioxidants like vitamin E, provides the nourishment needed for maintaining a healthy brain and improving cognitive function in seniors at risk for Alzheimer’s.
Moreover, this is especially helpful when taken in conjunction with regular physical and mental exercise and social interaction. Plus, the social interaction was found of be of significant value in helping these seniors stay on course with this healthy lifestyle.

As Dr. Craft noted in her video such a plan should help to improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, reduce damage to proteins that can harm the brain, and help people better control their weight, as well as their risk for cardio vascular events. And that was validated in this study.
Light exercise, especially after a meal helps in the digestion and assimilation of these nutrients. We also know it helps reduce insulin resistance, as well as obesity and improves circulation of these nutrients to the brain. It is also one of the best things a person can do to lower their blood pressure, without drugs.
Mental activity further improves circulation in the brain. It also puts a requirement on the brain to better utilize this good nutrition, to build new brain structures and connections.
Finally, one of the biggest obstacles to this lifestyle is building and maintaining these new habits. That’s where others come in. When we embark on such a quest with others who have similar interests the research shows we usually help each other to stay on course and persist in these healthy habits.

As Dr. Kivipelto, one of the lead researchers in this study recently stated: “These findings show that prevention is possible, and….With so many negative trials for Alzheimer’s drugs reported lately, it’s good that we may have something that everyone can do now to lower their risk.”
So are these people now insured against getting Alzheimer’s? Of course not. If they fall off the program, injure their brain, consume heavy metals, start binging on diet sodas, or contract a virus that affects the brain, they could still end up with Alzheimer’s. But for now it’s plain to see that if their cognitive health and memory is improving they are much less likely to fall prey to Alzheimer’s.  Plus, investigators are planning to follow this group for the next 7 years at least, to verify that fact. But even now from this short study, it’s plain to see, when the markers are moving in the opposite direction, that indeed prevention of Alzheimer’s is possible.

Of course you have had that formula for a couple of years now. What have you done with that knowledge? Have you applied it? Has it helped you and yours maintain a healthier brain? If not, consider this blog as a bit of social encouragement to try it!

This is now proof you can share, that this combined approach can in fact improve brain health and cognitive performance in seniors and reduce risk for age-related cognitive decline, if not Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, you will recall that I told you about a formula used in our UMass study which likewise was shown to enhance cognitive performance in a sample of  seniors. But our cohort had already been diagnosed with serioud cognitive impairment. The study on this formula, now called Perceptiv™,  will also be coming out in the near future, and once again I will be telling you, “See I told you so.” As I have already seen those outcomes.

By the way, Dr. Shea, who developed that formula has been advocating the Finland protocol for the past decade. I lament to think of all the suffering that could have been spared had more people just listened to his informed counsel back then.
But unfortunately other research, which he and others conducted, showed that once cognitive (memory) impairment has progressed beyond MCI, it may be impossible to overcome that with a change in diet and activities alone. Something more powerful is then needed to overcome those destructive deficits. And that is where a supplement like Perceptiv™ can be very helpful, and speed to recovery process.

Testimonials since our study show that Perceptiv not only improves memory and mood, it can also improve reflexes, and stamina. One 69 year old client of mine recently ran in a 5K race and eclipsed her previous best time (of the last 5 years) by 20 minutes!  As I tell people this little synergistic antioxidant formula does a lot more for your brain and body than just improve memory.

Sadly I recently learned some of you have been buying this directly from their website, where you had to pay 15-30% more than it costs through me. You see because I was one of the investigators I can now obtain bottles at a significant savings for myself, those who were in our study and others of my choosing,  like you! And what little I earn from that goes to help support this site. So if you are interested just send me an email, and I will explain the discount, and have bottles sent to you.

To learn more about Perceptiv go to. http://www.thinkperceptiv.com/clinical-studies-perceptiv/

If you or someone you care about would like to reduce their risk for Alzheimer’s or other age related cognitive decline, you might want to send them a link to this article. It’s a good blueprint for a brain healthy lifestyle! We will talk more about that, with more specifics in the months to come.  But don’t delay, we know this works!  Do it today! 

David R. Larsen, MFHD
Memory Dynamics
Researcher, teacher and consultant

[1]  Lehtisalo J, Lindstrom J, Ngandu T,  Diet And Cognition: Baseline Associations In The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study To Prevent Cognitive Impairment And Disability (FINGER) Poster Session, 2013 Alzheimer’s Associations International Conference in Paris.