Content Library Podcasts Videos Episode 52

The Science of Preventing (and Reversing) Dementia

May 8, 2019 Episode 52 52m

Topics Overview

Overview

For so long, we’ve been told that memory loss and dementia are just a normal part of aging. Though we now know it doesn’t have to be that way, and that there are many measures we can proactively take to avoid cognitive decline with aging, there are still 6 million people in the US who have Alzheimer’s or pre-Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to rise to 15 million by 2060. But emerging research is helping us look at new ways to treat and even prevent devastating diseases like this, giving people a newfound sense of hope. Today’s guest on The Doctor’s Farmacy, Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, has spent the majority of his life pioneering this field. From the age of 8, he knew he wanted to be a doctor, and just ten years later at 18, he began researching Alzheimer’s. Dr. Sabbagh is a board-certified neurologist and considered one of the leading experts in Alzheimer’s and dementia. He is on the editorial board for the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and BMC Neurology and is now editor in chief of Neurology and Therapy and is the author of The Alzheimer’s Answer: Reduce Your Risk and Keep Your Brain Healthy, and The Alzheimer’s Prevention Cookbook: 100 Recipes to Boost Brain Health. Dr. Sabbagh’s latest book, Fighting for My Life: How to Thrive in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s, was just released. This episode is full of valuable information on brain health. I hope you’ll tune in to get empowered about the health of your brain at any age. PS - You can find Dr. Sabbagh's latest book, Fighting for My Life, right here.

Topics Covered

Lifestyle intervention research for dementia, including the FINGER and POINTER studies

(7:00)
How reducing inflammation in the body, treating the gut microbiome, and exercising can benefit the brain

(12:20)
Determining your risk of dementia through genetic testing

(17:05)
Diabetes and increased risk for dementia

(20:18)
Should the ketogenic diet be used to treat and prevent dementia?

(23:00)
Epigenetics and dementia

(25:30:00)
Cognitive killers, “dementigens,” and altering your risk factors for developing dementia

(29:55:00)
Is the Mediterranean diet most beneficial for the brain?

(32:22:00)
Preventive medication trials for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

(34:18:00)
The importance of early dementia assessment & diagnosis

(41:05:00)
How genetic testing might affect long term care coverage

(47:47:00)