You’ve probably heard the term “senior moment” or have even had a few senior moments yourself. As a society, we’ve come to believe that memory lapses are a natural consequence of entering our golden years. And it’s fair to say, it is common for people to experience cognitive decline with age.
But here’s the truth: It doesn’t have to be that way. The reality is that memory loss is not a normal part of aging and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, which are a major cause of age-related cognitive decline, are preventable to a significant degree.
In this post, we’ll discuss what cognitive decline is, why the current approach to addressing it has failed and what you can do to optimize your brain health and prevent impairment as you get older.
What is Cognitive Decline?
Cognitive decline is a decline in mental abilities like memory, reasoning and judgment, concentration and/or the ability to plan and complete complex tasks. Largely caused by neurodegeneration, such as what you see with Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline has been traditionally thought of as progressive.
What are the Stages of Cognitive Decline?
The process of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias begins decades before you’re diagnosed.
The disease typically happens in stages:
- Subjective Cognitive Decline
According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, this is the second stage of dementia (the first stage is no cognitive impairment). At this point, a person feels like they have symptoms (i.e., memory loss) but any changes in cognition aren’t notable to external observers and don’t interfere with daily living.
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
The next stage is referred to as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). People with MCI may struggle to perform executive functions, have memory loss and experience difficulty with complex tasks. While the deficits are mild, they are noticeable to individuals close to the person.
- Moderate Cognitive Decline (Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia)
Some people with mild cognitive impairment return to normal cognition or remain stable. In others, however, MCI progresses into moderate cognitive decline. This is when a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia can be made with a high degree of accuracy.
- Increasingly More Severe
With conventional medicine, cognitive decline can’t be stopped or reversed once Alzheimer’s disease sets in. It continues to get worse.
Normal Aging vs. Dementia: What You Should Know
Forgetting where you put your keys from time to time or occasionally having a word on the tip of your tongue that you just can’t quite recall can happen at any age. It’s often nothing to worry about and not usually a sign of cognitive decline.
If the blips in your memory get worse as you get older or you experience mild cognitive impairment, it doesn’t mean you have dementia but you should schedule an assessment with a physician.
As we said earlier, contrary to popular belief, memory loss is not a normal part of aging. There is time to change your brain and prevent neurodegenerative disease. The earlier you have an assessment, the more successful prevention will be.
If your memory loss is moderate to severe to the point where:
- It’s interfering with your day-to-day life and normal routine,
- You’re struggling when trying to learn new things,
- It’s difficult to do tasks you’re familiar with,
- People close to you notice the changes in your abilities,
Then your memory issues are similar to what people often experience in the early stage of dementia. It can still be reversed. Time is of the essence so consult with a brain health expert.
A New Way to Think About Brain Health
At Restore Wellness Centre, we apply Dr. Dale Bredesen, MD’s proven protocol for preventing and treating cognitive decline and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Bredesen spent 30 years researching cognitive decline. He pinpointed at least 36 different factors that influence whether the brain goes down the pathway that causes amyloid plaque buildup, tau tangles and, eventually, Alzheimer’s disease.
He compares the brain to a roof with 36 holes in it. While the size of each specific hole varies by person, the more holes you cover, the more successful you’ll be at fixing the problem.
Pharmaceutical companies continue to develop single pills to cure Alzheimer’s disease that, at best, will plug one or two holes. This mono-therapeutic approach will never be effective in helping the majority of people.
What Causes Cognitive Decline?
The 36 factors identified by Dr. Bredesen damage the brain to varying degrees. Over time, these “injuries” cause a downsizing in the brain’s ability that results in cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease.
Some of the key factors include:
- Inflammation (GI issues, viruses, aches and pains, periodontal disease, etc.)
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Diabetes
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Hormonal imbalance (thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, etc.)
- Exposure to viruses
- Toxic exposure (mold, lead, mercury, etc.)
- Shortage of cognition-supporting molecules
- Lack of sleep
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Chronic stress
- Genetics
How Can I Prevent Cognitive Decline and Optimize My Brain Health?
The good news in all of this is that because so many factors are involved, even if you’re genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease it doesn’t mean you’ll get it. Preventing or reversing cognitive decline is about controlling as many factors as you can. With enough “holes” covered, you’ll reach a tipping point that puts your brain on a healthy pathway.
At Restore Wellness Centre, we do this through a customized program that combines personalized, precision medicine with lifestyle changes. Each component is aimed at promoting neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to heal and grow new neurons and synaptic connections.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Assessment
Dr. Patterson will meet with you to assess your cognition and discuss your health history, lifestyle, challenges and goals.
Step 2: Blood work
You’ll have blood taken and we’ll send it for extensive laboratory testing that analyzes your genetics, inflammatory markers, metabolic health, vitamin and mineral levels, hormones, tropic support and more.
Step 3: Custom Treatment Plan
Dr. Patterson will evaluate your lab work to identify what will likely cause or is currently causing your cognitive decline. He’ll review your results with you in-depth and create a personalized treatment plan designed to prevent or reverse symptoms.
The specific recommendations will depend on your unique biochemistry and lifestyle. However, treatments fall within seven different strategies:
- Nutrition
You’ll get a nutrition plan that delivers brain-boosting vitamins and minerals. This supports brain health through multiple mechanisms, including reducing inflammation, increasing energy and enhancing metabolic health.
- Exercise
Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates brain chemicals that play an important role in supporting cognition. Depending on your level of health and needs, your plan will likely include a mix of cardio and strength training.
- Sleep
Dr. Patterson will help you optimize sleep, which is essential for memory consolidation, brain healing, immunity and overall health. He’ll also rule out obstructive sleep apnea and other conditions that reduce oxygenation and impact cognition.
- Stress Management
Stress is thought to be a factor in cognitive decline. A stress management practice helps you protect your brain. Based on your situation it could include HeartMath, yoga, mindfulness, meditation or other solutions.
- Brain Stimulation
Brain stimulation helps you “upsize” your brain by keeping it active. It can entail brain training exercises, neurofeedback, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other methods. You will also want to encourage new neuron development by engaging in learning activities and staying socially active.
- Detox
Avoiding toxins that impact your cognition is imperative. Relatively simple fixes like addressing mold in your home, swapping out your cleaning supplies and ensuring the water you drink is safe will go a long way in warding off neurodegeneration.
This part of the treatment plan also includes maintaining good oral and body hygiene to minimize inflammation and eating detoxifying foods like cruciferous vegetables, among other strategies.
- Supplementation
Supplements, hormone replacement therapy and, occasionally, medication could be needed to address deficiencies and conditions that cause neurodegeneration. Options such as peptide therapy show promise too. Most people who stick with the protocol find their need for supplements or medication decreases as they heal and improve their health.
Step 4: Follow Up
Dr. Patterson will monitor your health and progress and make any adjustments if needed. He’ll recommend a schedule for follow-up visits and blood work.
The Bottom Line
We need to change the way we think about age and cognition. Cognitive decline is not a normal sign of aging, and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias begin to develop decades before they’re diagnosed.
There is time to take control. With the right interventions and lifestyle changes, you can prevent or reverse cognitive decline and optimize your brain health.
Book an Assessment With a Brain Health Expert in Abilene, TX
If you’re ready to explore how you can protect your brain and cognition, schedule a no-pressure assessment with Dr. Patterson. Call Restore Wellness Centre at 325-400-3081 or request an appointment online today!