The Alzheimer's Energy Crisis
Cutting edge research over the past 5 years has shown a powerful connection between the brain and gut to prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. With smart nutrition, we can heal our brain and energize the nervous system.
But if our lifestyle is filled with processed foods full of artificial ingredients, refined carbohydrates, and sugar; over time our brains begin to face an energy crisis.
On this episode of Wellness Force Radio we're learning from Amy Berger, the author of “The Alzheimer's Antidote” and nutrition counselor at Tuit Nutrition, LLC. Amy is uncovering the different parts of the brain that have a connection to Alzheimer's, and shining light on how a low-carb/high-fat diet can help fight chronic neurodegenerative diseases, memory loss, and cognitive decline.
Even if Alzheimer's doesn't run in your family, this episode is full of great advice for preventing disease while keeping a strong and healthy mind.
Food by itself is not a cure for metabolic problems or chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. However, if we eat more nutritious foods with plenty of B12 vitamins, healthy fats, and clean non-CAFO sources of animal protein, we can ease the symptoms of Alzheimer's, brain fog, and dementia.
The Early Prevention of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's has been referred to as Type 3 Diabetes because those with the condition tend to have very high insulin levels.
In a standard blood test, our insulin and glucose levels can appear to be normal. To gain a more accurate measure of our insulin levels, we must specifically ask our doctor for a fasting insulin test.
There are methods to improve our levels, such as using intranasal insulin. However, we shouldn't only rely on short-term fixes to help our brain.
Rather than hastily turning to insulin treatments, we should focus on re-sensitizing the blood brain barrier. If we begin to make lifestyle changes as early as our 30s and 40s, we can improve our chances of prevention.
We don't have to train like a professional athlete to reduce our chances of developing Alzheimer's. Regular cardio, lifting weights, or even simple exercises like walking can keep our brains strong. It has also been shown that a low-carb, high-fat Ketogenic Diet can foster massive improvements in our brain health.
The Importance of B12
Along with having high insulin levels, many Alzheimer's patients are also deficient in the B12 vitamin.
B12 is vital for proper brain function and improving communication between neurons.
To ensure we have adequate levels of b12, we can add the following foods to our diet:
- Red meat
- Egg yolks
- Fatty seafood
- Shellfish
- Lamb
- Beef
- Pork
- Goat
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
- Nuts
- Seeds
For vegetarians and vegans, some forms of algae or supplements can be helpful to ensure proper B12 intake.
Listen To Episode 120 As Amy Uncovers:
- Why Alzheimer's Disease is commonly referred to as Type 3 Diabetes.
- The power of a ketogenic diet for maintaining brain health.
- Why insulin and glucose levels are so high in Alzheimer's patients.
- The different parts of the brain that contribute to neurodegenerative disease.
- Why we shouldn't rely on a quick fix to improve brain health.
- The importance of getting enough B12, and how to discover if we are deficient.
- How to identify a decline in brain health.
- The difference between simple brain fog and the early stages of Alzheimer's.
- Why the ApoE4 gene may affect the development of Alzheimer's.
- Learn about gluconeogenesis and the metabolic process in the brain.
- How to approach dietary changes to improve brain health.
- How exogenous ketones and MCT oil can affect cognitive function.
Top 3 Takeaways From The Show
- Alzheimer's is an energy crisis in the brain. Neurons that are affected by Alzheimer's have lost their ability to gather energy from glucose and so they starve and lose functionality. When atrophy begins, the connections between brain neurons weaken. That is when memory loss, clouded thinking, and personality changes can begin.
- The brain is like a hybrid car that can run on different sources of energy. Besides glucose and fats, the brain can also run on ketones. Many people have seen improvement in brain function by following a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet.
- The ApoE4 gene is currently being studied as a marker for the development of these cognitive diseases, but it doesn't necessarily mean we will develop a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's. Lifestyle, diet, and exercise are important factors. With regular exercise and a healthy diet, we can help our minds stay sharp and strong.
Power Quotes From Amy Berger
Tweet This- “Alzheimer's is a problem with how the brain is receiving metabolic energy. When your body gets tired, you can be sluggish, cranky, or clumsy, and make mistakes that you don't normally make. So, when the brain doesn't have enough energy, it does the same.” – Amy Berger
- “Many people who have Alzheimer's are also insulin resistant, which leads to higher levels of insulin in the body. That's why Alzheimer's is commonly referred to as Type 3 Diabetes.” – Amy Berger
- “Alzheimer's itself is not a rapid onset disease. It builds over the course of decades so it's important to be pro-active.” – Amy Berger
- “Brain fog is an indicator of an energy problem in the brain.” – Amy Berger
- “The ApoE4 gene does not cause Alzheimer's, but it does increase susceptibility for its development. The most important things to remove from your diet are refined carbohydrates and grains. Focus on adding more healthy fats to your diet from nuts, seeds, and quality sources of animal protein.” – Amy Berger
About The Alzheimer's Antidote by Amy Berger
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 is startlingly similar to a half-century ago. Despite decades of research and millions of dollars invested in uncovering the causes and developing treatments for this devastating illness, progress has been slow, with each new “blockbuster” drug proving to be as big a disappointment as the ones that went before it. Today, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is a death sentence.
However, there may be ways to prevent, delay, and possibly even reverse the course of this crippling neurodegenerative disease. In The Alzheimer’s Antidote, Certified Nutrition Specialist Amy Berger presents a multi-pronged nutrition and lifestyle intervention to combat Alzheimer’s disease at its roots. Berger’s research shows that Alzheimer’s results from a fuel shortage in the brain: As neurons become unable to harness energy from glucose, they atrophy and die, leading to classic symptoms like memory loss and behavioral changes.
This is a revolutionary approach―one that has been discussed in the scientific literature for years but has only recently been given credence in clinical settings, thanks to extremely promising studies wherein Alzheimer’s patients have experienced complete reversals of the condition. Medical and scientific journals are full of research showing alternate ways to fuel the starving brain, but no one has been bringing this essential information to the people who need it most―until now.
In a culture obsessed with miracle medications, the pharmaceutical route for tackling Alzheimer’s has been a massive failure. Pills and potions don’t address underlying causes, and regarding Alzheimer’s, they typically fail to improve even the symptoms. As a metabolic problem, the only effective way to treat Alzheimer’s may be a multifaceted approach that fundamentally reprograms energy generation in the brain. The good news is, the secret is as simple as switching to a low-carb, high-fat diet.
The Alzheimer’s Antidote shows us that cognitive decline is not inevitable, but if it does occur, we don’t have to sit idly by and wait helplessly while it progresses and worsens. Amy Berger empowers loved ones and caregivers of Alzheimer’s sufferers, and offers hope and light against this otherwise unnavigable labyrinth of darkness.
About Amy Berger
Amy Berger is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and the author of the book “The Alzheimer's Antidote”.
She is a US Air Force veteran who now specializes in using low-carbohydrate nutrition to help people reclaim their vitality through eating delicious, wholesome foods, and teaching them that achieving vibrant health doesn’t require starvation, deprivation, or living in the gym. Her motto is, “Real people need real food!”
You can read her blog at www.tuitnutrition.com, where she shares information on a wide range of health and nutrition related topics, such as insulin, metabolism, weight loss, thyroid function, and more.
Resources Mentioned by Amy & Josh
- Visit Amy's official website at Tuit Nutrition
- Connect with Amy via Twitter
- Buy your own copy of “The Alzheimer's Antidote” by Amy Berger
- Get a blood test done with WellnessFX
- Learn more about your genetics with 23andMe
- Read “Good Calories, Bad Calories“ by Gary Taubes
- Learn more about the work of Dr. Steven Gundry
- Check your ketone levels with Ketonix
- Read the article, Neuroplasticity: The 10 Fundamentals of Reviewing Your Brain by Debbie Hampton
- Listen to WFR 080 with Dr. Murdoc Khaleghi: Bulletproof from a Blood Test
- Check out WFR 084 with Dr. David Perlmutter: The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan
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