Build a Better Brain: Reverse Cognitive Decline, Dementia & Alzheimer's with Dr. Dale Bredesen
10/09/23 • 80 min
This episode is truly a thought-provoking conversation about Alzheimer's and its unique impact on women with none other than the legendary Dr. Dale Bredesen (who is making his fourth appearance on the show). Dale Bredesen, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Caltech and his medical degree from Duke University. He served as resident and chief resident in neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and as postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Professor Stanley Prusiner. He was a faculty member at UCLA from 1989 to 1994 and was then recruited by the Burnham Institute to direct the Program on Aging. In 1998, he became the founding president and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and adjunct professor at UCSF. In 2013, he returned to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as director of the Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and he is currently a professor.
Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Bredesen delve into the fascinating topic of Alzheimer's as a preventable condition, emphasizing that this is the first generation with the power to make Alzheimer's truly optional. They explore the shift in the common presentation of Alzheimer's, particularly in women, highlighting the rise of subjective or mild cognitive impairment in 52-year-old women.
As always, Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Bredesen provide actionable solutions for preventing and managing Alzheimer's, covering diet, exercise, sleep, supplementation, and testing. They introduce innovative blood tests, discuss the importance of a "cognoscopy," and even touch on dental health's role in brain health.
Resources Mentioned:
Reversal of Cognitive Decline: 100 Patients - https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/reversal-of-cognitive-decline-100-patients-2161-0460-1000450-105387.html
Transcriptional Effects of ApoE4: Relevance to Alzheimer’s Disease - Transcriptional Effects of ApoE4: Relevance to Alzheimer’s Disease
ReCODE: A Personalized, Targeted, Multi-Factorial Therapeutic Program for Reversal of Cognitive Decline. - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34680464/
Could Alzheimer's disease be a maladaptation of an evolutionary survival pathway mediated by intracerebral fructose and uric acid metabolism? - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36774227/
Reversal of cognitive decline: a novel therapeutic program - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25324467/
Reversing the effects of Alzheimer's Disease: Dr. Ron Geyer on NeuroEPO - https://medicine.usask.ca/news/2023/reversing-the-effects-of-alzheimers-disease-dr.-ron-geyer-on-neuroepo.php
Dr. Bredesen’s TedX talk - https://youtu.be/TzJSCttlQmc?si=sEC_psvctDR0XRkz
Dr. Bredesen’s books - https://www.apollohealthco.com/books/
KetoFLEX 12/3TM - https://ketoflex.apollohealthco.com
Evanthea Dementia Reversal Trial - https://www.dementiareversaltrial.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drdalebredesen/
Episode Overview:
0:00:00 Introduction
0:05:42 Welcome to Dr. Dale Bredesen
0:11:59 Factors driving the shift in Alzheimer's disease onset age
0:15:41 COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease risk
0:21:28 The importance of addressing chronic conditions
0:24:01 The role of metabolic health in cognitive decline
0:25:40 The role of diet in Alzheimer's disease
0:26:54 The postmenopausal women and cognitive decline
0:35:05 Alzheimer's disease and genetic factors
0:36:53 How we could confuse perimenopause with Alzheimer's
0:44:39 ApoE4 and the evolution of hominids
0:47:42 ApoE4 and its pro-inflammatory effect
0:51:23 The limitations of targeting neurofibrillary tangles and plaques
0:54:23 Evaluating the efficacy of drugs for Alzheimer's treatment
1:04:39 Exploring the use of supplementation in the trial
1:05:45 The seven fundamentals for maintain good brain health
1:13:57 Importance of sleep hygiene and nasal breathing
1:18:38 Tailoring sleep habits to circadian rhythms and environmental factors
We’d like to thank our sponsors:
Go to neurohacker.com/better to try Qualia Senolytic with a 100 day money back guarantee, and code BETTER will get you 15% off your order.
Right now Levels is offering you an additional two free months off of the levels annual membership when you use the link levels.link/better.
If you want to try Beam Minerals for yourself, head over to beamminerals.com/better for 20% off of the entire store.
This episode is truly a thought-provoking conversation about Alzheimer's and its unique impact on women with none other than the legendary Dr. Dale Bredesen (who is making his fourth appearance on the show). Dale Bredesen, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Caltech and his medical degree from Duke University. He served as resident and chief resident in neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and as postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Professor Stanley Prusiner. He was a faculty member at UCLA from 1989 to 1994 and was then recruited by the Burnham Institute to direct the Program on Aging. In 1998, he became the founding president and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and adjunct professor at UCSF. In 2013, he returned to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as director of the Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and he is currently a professor.
Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Bredesen delve into the fascinating topic of Alzheimer's as a preventable condition, emphasizing that this is the first generation with the power to make Alzheimer's truly optional. They explore the shift in the common presentation of Alzheimer's, particularly in women, highlighting the rise of subjective or mild cognitive impairment in 52-year-old women.
As always, Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Bredesen provide actionable solutions for preventing and managing Alzheimer's, covering diet, exercise, sleep, supplementation, and testing. They introduce innovative blood tests, discuss the importance of a "cognoscopy," and even touch on dental health's role in brain health.
Resources Mentioned:
Reversal of Cognitive Decline: 100 Patients - https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/reversal-of-cognitive-decline-100-patients-2161-0460-1000450-105387.html
Transcriptional Effects of ApoE4: Relevance to Alzheimer’s Disease - Transcriptional Effects of ApoE4: Relevance to Alzheimer’s Disease
ReCODE: A Personalized, Targeted, Multi-Factorial Therapeutic Program for Reversal of Cognitive Decline. - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34680464/
Could Alzheimer's disease be a maladaptation of an evolutionary survival pathway mediated by intracerebral fructose and uric acid metabolism? - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36774227/
Reversal of cognitive decline: a novel therapeutic program - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25324467/
Reversing the effects of Alzheimer's Disease: Dr. Ron Geyer on NeuroEPO - https://medicine.usask.ca/news/2023/reversing-the-effects-of-alzheimers-disease-dr.-ron-geyer-on-neuroepo.php
Dr. Bredesen’s TedX talk - https://youtu.be/TzJSCttlQmc?si=sEC_psvctDR0XRkz
Dr. Bredesen’s books - https://www.apollohealthco.com/books/
KetoFLEX 12/3TM - https://ketoflex.apollohealthco.com
Evanthea Dementia Reversal Trial - https://www.dementiareversaltrial.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drdalebredesen/
Episode Overview:
0:00:00 Introduction
0:05:42 Welcome to Dr. Dale Bredesen
0:11:59 Factors driving the shift in Alzheimer's disease onset age
0:15:41 COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease risk
0:21:28 The importance of addressing chronic conditions
0:24:01 The role of metabolic health in cognitive decline
0:25:40 The role of diet in Alzheimer's disease
0:26:54 The postmenopausal women and cognitive decline
0:35:05 Alzheimer's disease and genetic factors
0:36:53 How we could confuse perimenopause with Alzheimer's
0:44:39 ApoE4 and the evolution of hominids
0:47:42 ApoE4 and its pro-inflammatory effect
0:51:23 The limitations of targeting neurofibrillary tangles and plaques
0:54:23 Evaluating the efficacy of drugs for Alzheimer's treatment
1:04:39 Exploring the use of supplementation in the trial
1:05:45 The seven fundamentals for maintain good brain health
1:13:57 Importance of sleep hygiene and nasal breathing
1:18:38 Tailoring sleep habits to circadian rhythms and environmental factors
We’d like to thank our sponsors:
Go to neurohacker.com/better to try Qualia Senolytic with a 100 day money back guarantee, and code BETTER will get you 15% off your order.
Right now Levels is offering you an additional two free months off of the levels annual membership when you use the link levels.link/better.
If you want to try Beam Minerals for yourself, head over to beamminerals.com/better for 20% off of the entire store.
Previous Episode
How to Maximize Recovery, Performance and Resilience with Kristen Holmes
In this episode, Dr. Stephanie delves into the fascinating world of recovery optimization. Dr. Stephanie is joined by the incredible Kristin Holmes, the VP of Performance Science at Whoop, who boasts an impressive athletic and academic background. Together, they explore various aspects of recovery, from heart rate variability (HRV) to the influence of light, sleep patterns, and even menstrual implications on metabolism. Kristen touches on insulin resistance and the science behind it, offering valuable insights for listeners of all ages. This engaging conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to recover like a boss and maximize their human potential.
As Vice President of Performance Science, Principal Scientist at WHOOP, Kristen drives thought leadership by engaging with industry-leading researchers and partners to better understand individual and team biometric and performance data across high-stakes verticals to drive product innovation, strategy, and coaching.
Kristen blends her academic and applied background in athletics, coaching, performance technology, psychology, and exercise physiology to drive research, partnership, and product development initiatives to strengthen WHOOP as a leader in Human Performance.
Links in episode:
Whoop podcast - https://www.whoop.com/us/en/thelocker/whoop-podcast-all-episodes/
Carol Dweck growth mindset - https://youtu.be/hiiEeMN7vbQ?si=YJ6PoV0lE7akVE5h
Sean Achor’s work on happiness - https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work?language=en
Dr. Ken Wright’s work on sleep - https://www.colorado.edu/iphy/people/faculty/kenneth-p-wright-jr
Alcohol's Effect on Sleep, Recovery and Performance - https://www.whoop.com/us/en/thelocker/podcast-43-alcohol-affects-sleep-recovery-performance/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kristen_holmes2126/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-holmes/
IG post about HRV https://www.instagram.com/p/CtCAMDuAMZm/?hl=en
Episode Overview:
0:00:00 Maximizing Circadian Alignment and Health Basics
0:05:14 The Importance of Recovery for Fitness and Performance
0:09:03 Components of Recovery: Sleep and Training
0:14:36 The Paradox of Seeking Strength while Avoiding Discomfort
0:20:47 HRV and Age: Decline and Factors
0:24:10 Age and Sympathetic Dominance in HRV
0:30:32 The Importance of Aligning with Natural Light-Dark Cycles
0:33:08 The Importance of Maintaining a Consistent Sleep-wake Schedule
0:37:01 Exercise and food as levers to offset irregular sleep-wake schedules
0:41:21 The Role of Light in Influencing Sleep Patterns (including in teenagers)
0:45:15 The Vicious Cycle of Fragmented Sleep and Blue Light Exposure
0:45:39 The Impact of Cortisol on Sleep Quality
0:49:57 The Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation and Diabetes Risk
0:54:33 Adjusting Eating Window for Better Metabolic Health
0:57:40 Strategies to Mitigate Negative Effects of Poor Sleep
1:02:30 Sleep Extension and Nap for Sleep Deprivation during Events
1:06:12 Alcohol Consumption and its Effects on Sleep
1:13:29 The Effect of Prosecco on Sleep Quality
1:13:39 Alcohol's Impact on Detoxification and Sleep
1:17:38 Sleep Debt's Impact on Psychological Safety and Relationships
1:20:49 The Timing of Sex for Better Sleep
1:22:00 Sex as a Sleep Promoting Behavior
1:25:16 The Evolving Dynamics of Sex and Sleep
1:29:01 Sleep: A Foundation for Health and Vitality
We'd like to thanks our sponsors:
Become the best version of yourself and get 15% off of all NED products with the code Dr. Stephanie. Go to helloned.com/drstephanie
Go to www.nootopia.com/bettergenius and use code BETTER during checkout to save 10% off any order.
Next Episode
Sleep Optimization, Recovery, & Performance with Dr. Kirk Parsley
Dr. Kirk Parsley has a remarkable background, joining the Navy SEALs straight out of high school at just 17 years old. During his SEALs tenure, he spent a decade living at the pinnacle of physical and mental health. Later, he pursued a medical career, graduating in 2004 and interning in obstetrics and gynecology, followed by a Navy residency in hyperbarics and diving medicine.
In this episode, Dr. Parsley explores the profound impact of sleep on various aspects of our lives. They discuss its influence on exercise performance, appetite, food choices, cardiovascular health, and insulin resistance. The conversation also delves into menopause, perimenopausal sleep-related changes, and hormonal considerations. Dr. Parsley and Dr. Stephanie share their thoughts on the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and discuss key hormones like testosterone, progesterone, and estrogens.
Additionally, the episode explores common sleep remedies and Dr. Parsley's natural supplementation solutions found at https://docparsley.com/stephanie-estima/
Bio:
Kirk is certified in Hyperbaric Medicine, Anti-Aging Medicine, Hormone Replacement Therapy, and is currently pursuing national certification in Psychedelic Medicine Therapies. He dedicates a significant portion of his time to advising non-profit organizations that support the SEAL community and providing healthcare guidance and treatment to veterans. Operating his practice and supplement business from Austin, Texas, Kirk is an avid outdoorsman and fitness enthusiast. When he's not working or working out, you can usually find him in nature, continuously enhancing his medical skills.
Resources mentioned:
Website: https://docparsley.com
Free Stressless Sleep Guide: https://docparsley.com/stephanie-estima/
https://www.instagram.com/kirkparsley/
https://www.instagram.com/sleepremedy/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/docparsley/
https://www.facebook.com/DocParsley/
https://www.youtube.com/@docparsley418/
Episode Overview:
0:00 Intro
0:04:13 Dr. Parsley's expertise in sleep physiology
0:07:17 Sleep as repair and preparation for the body
0:12:58 Lack of sleep affects cognition, emotions, and mental health
0:17:12 The fight or flight response and its effects
0:25:33 Regulating appetite hormones and fuel partitioning
0:26:29 Sleep cycle: repair, transformation, and memory consolidation
0:35:35 The impact of an overactive amygdala
0:43:21 Evening rituals for better sleep
0:47:18 Components of sleep rituals: light, GABA, and temperature
0:51:11 Creating a to-do and to-worry list before bed
0:54:37 Sleep changes and menopause
0:59:02 Insulin and blood glucose: impact on hunger and stress
1:02:09 Interactions between hormones and the complexity of hormone replacement therapy
1:08:07 The WHI's impact on women's health and hormone replacement therapy
1:16:24 The impact of muscle mass on sleep
1:23:07 The drawbacks of Z-drugs for insomnia treatment
1:26:07 The dangers of using sleep drugs like Ambien and alcohol
1:29:27 The negative effects of sleep drugs on sleep quality
1:31:34 From SEAL doctor to sleep expert
1:35:02 Ambien and the discovery of sleep issues
1:38:42 Creating a sleep supplement for the SEAL teams
1:42:28 Tea vs. capsules: absorption and dosage
We'd like to thank our sponsors:
MELLO MAGNESIUM
Want to grab my absolute fave magnesium supplement at 15% off? Go to https://glnk.io/lq6q/4
COLLAGENIUS
Better skin, a sharper brain and chocolate?! Sign me up.
Head over to https://nootopia.com/bettergenius and use code BETTER during checkout to save 10% off any order.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/better-with-dr-stephanie-59945/build-a-better-brain-reverse-cognitive-decline-dementia-and-alzheimers-34609185"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to build a better brain: reverse cognitive decline, dementia & alzheimer's with dr. dale bredesen on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy