The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline

This part of my review is an update. My opinion of this book has changed. While a lot of my review is still accurate, and I based it on just diet and lifestyle changes without any products or services, Bredesen has turned his focus to unproven products and methods that are very expensive and do not seem to be beneficial. In other words, a lot of hogwash. Instead, I now highly recommend The Alzheimer's Solution by Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai. Unlike Bredesen's study of just 10 people, the Sherzais have studied thousands of participants over many years and are respected around the globe. There are no controversies with their program. Alzheimers cannot be cured. But it can be prevented or pushed back so we can enjoy life longer. Their program does not require the use of supplements or tests that prove nothing, like the Bredesen Protocol. It's all about lifestyle changes. Nutrition. Exercise. Stress reduction. Good sleep. And optimizing the brain through various techniques such as learning new skills. You can find all of their advice online for free or get their book. Also, Dr Sanjay Gupta has a book, Keep Sharp, that is very similar to what the Sherzais teach. Get either or both. But don't buy the Bredesen Protocol. I am hesitant to update my star rating just yet because it might make my review fall off the first page and I want people to read this. Please look for an alternative program. Original review is below ______________________ My mother, and roommate, has frontal lobe dementia and, they believe, Alzheimers. Watching her decline has been heart wrenching, and I'm constantly trying to find ways to make her life better. I worry not only about Mom, but about myself. I believe that I am on the same path. I first heard of the Bredesen Protocal last winter, when Maria Shriver discussed it on the Today Show. I quickly researched it as much as possible, but info was limited. I had a feeling a book was forthcoming, so I anxiously awaited it's release. I was worried The End of Alzheimer's would contain too much technical information that I might not be able to understand. I was very happy to see that it was written in a casual format that intentionally makes it easier for the rest of us. The details are clear, the tone is casual, and it's easy to follow. As I read through this book, I was surprised by how many points were familiar to me. That's me! I do that! Oh heck! It was as enlightening as it was scary. Living with Mom, I also live in fear because I know I'm on the same path she struggles down every day. That's my future. On page 97, Bredesen says "How to give yourself Alzheimer's. Live your life in a way that keeps your brain supplied with as many as possible of the 36 factors that influence whether APP gets cut into the destructive quartet or the beneficial duo. How to prevent it. Live your life in a way that minimizes the number of the 36 inducing factors in your brain." Those 36 factors are clearly laid out and I believe they are not difficult to control. Several years ago, I struggled with brain fog and often had difficulty remembering numbers for even a couple of minutes. I also was overweight and had heart problems. I reached a point where I thought I would die, so I wrote my will and made plans for my dogs after I was gone. Then I said enough was enough, and I dramatically changed my lifestyle. I cut out processed foods, ate lots and LOTS of vegetables and fresh fruits, especially leafy greens and berries. I ate wild caught fish, but no other animal products. My diet was low in grains. I used the USDA Super Tracker to make sure that my diet exceeded the RDA for every nutrient they tracked. There's a lot more to it, but I was eating all the time and I exercised every single day. Within a few weeks, I had much more energy. Within a few months, my brain was on FIRE! But then... I started a new job and everything about my lifestyle and schedule changed. Long story short, I fell back into old habits, abandoned my perfect diet and exercise program, and gradually regained weight. I also started losing clarity and life became more difficult. I recognize that. And I know that I alone can change that. I'm so very glad to have read the Bredesen Protocol because I know now, more than ever, the importance of getting back on track. I am making a serious effort to change my future. I believe this book can help. I have already marked my calendar and plan to follow up on this review in 3 months and again in six months. Mom may be too far along, I don't know, but it's worth trying for both of us. Dr. Bredesen states in the book that his protocol may not work for frontal lobe and other types of dementias. It has only been tested on Alzheimers. I feel that it's still very important to heed his advice, as Alzheimers often doesn't get a definite diagnosis until after death. ___________________- Note that the above is the original review. Please read my update at the beginning of the review.

A Spanish version is at the end (****Se presenta una versión en español al final.****) The author proposes a theory of Alzheimer’s disease and a protocol to stop or reverse it. According to the author, Alzheimer’s disease is a protective response to three different processes: inflammation, suboptimal levels of nutrients and other synapse-supporting molecules, and toxic exposures. He proposes a protocol called Recode to address these 3 issues. The protocol starts with a detailed exploration of the factors associated to Alzheimer’s in his theory. After that a personalized plan is developed to address: Homocysteine Levels, Insulin Resistance, Diet (See Ketoflex Diet), Exercise, Sleep (sleep apnea is critical), Stress, Brain Training, Inflammation (Resolve, Inhibit, remove), Gut Health, Hormonal Balance, Metal Homeostasis and Toxins. The book is not a scientific tome neither a detailed description of the Recode Protocol. But useful information is presented regarding: 1) Detailed Characteristics of the 3 Types of Alzheimer’s he proposes. 2) Measurable factors affecting Alzheimer’s and their optimal values (cognoscopy - chapter 7). 3) Ketoflex Diet. 4) General description of how a personalized Recode protocol addresses the factors (chapter 8). Apparently the author wrote the book for both patients and doctors. Sometimes too much scientific information is presented and lay people might be confused. The presentation of the information must be divided in two different books: one specifically for doctors, scientists and medical practitioners and another for patients. This book presents extremely valuable information for people treating the disease and suffering from it. I highly recommend it. *************************** El autor propone una teoría de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y un protocolo para detenerla o revertirla. Según el autor la enfermedad de Alzheimer es una respuesta protectora a tres procesos diferentes: inflamación, niveles sub-óptimos de nutrientes y otras moléculas que apoyan las sinapsis, y exposiciones tóxicas. Propone un protocolo llamado Recode para abordar estos 3 problemas. El protocolo comienza con una exploración detallada de los factores asociados a la enfermedad de Alzheimer en su teoría. Después de eso se desarrolla un plan personalizado para abordar: niveles de homocisteína, resistencia a la insulina, dieta (ver dieta Ketoflex), ejercicio, sueño (apnea del sueño es crítica), estrés, entrenamiento cerebral, inflamación (resolver, inhibir, extirpar), salud intestinal, equilibrio hormonal, homeostasis de los metales y toxinas. El libro no es un tomo científico ni una descripción detallada del protocolo Recode. Pero se presenta información útil sobre: (1) características detalladas de los 3 tipos de Alzheimer que propone; (2) factores medibles que afectan el Alzheimer y sus valores óptimos (cognoscopy-capítulo 7); (3) dieta Ketoflex; (4) Descripción general de cómo un protocolo Recode personalizado aborda esos factores (capítulo 8). Al parecer el autor escribió el libro tanto para pacientes como para doctores. A veces se presenta demasiada información científica y se puede confundir a las personas sin entrenamiento en el tema. La presentación de la información debe estar dividida en dos libros diferentes: uno específicamente dirigido a médicos, científicos y expertos de la salud y otro dirigido a pacientes. Este libro presenta una información extremadamente valiosa para las personas que tratan la enfermedad y las que sufren de ella. Lo recomiendo seriamente.

Dr. Bredesen, after years of research on the brain, and on Alzheimer's, published a paper on reversal of cognitive decline in 9/10 people, in 2014. I read the news articles on that study and eagerly purchased this book. The number of those helped has increased to about 200 according to what he wrote. The book was a little too arcane for me to follow, especially chapter 5, but I did glean the following - Alzheimer's can have several underlying causes, which he narrows down to three - inflammation, bad nutrition and trophic factors, and toxins. APOE4 genes, especially if doubled, vastly increases the risk of getting Alzheimer's. In order to get medically tested for these issues, you have to go through a slew of medical tests, outlined in the book. This is to personalize treatment approach. For example, if you don't have mercury toxicity, you don't have to treat for it. He did stress the multiplicity of interventions, and likened it to a house with 36 holes in the roof - you have to patch up all 36 to stop the leaks. That can be daunting, but it is far more hopeful to be told, in essence, to go climb a mountain, than it is to be told you are going to lose your mind and die and there's little to do about it. So, yes, if you want to treat cognitive decline, be prepared to do a lot of work, for the rest of your life. Be willing to get the medical tests he recommends. The importance of overcoming insulin resistance and lowering glucose levels was discussed. My only issue with the book is it was way too technical for me to completely understand. I did not understand some of his charts and notes, which I hoped would simplify matters. The food charts were very easy to read, though. It appears as though those trained in functional medicine would comprehend this book. Hence, I wish this book were in the hands of all family and internal MDs, of course including functional medicine practitioners, because the usual Alzheimer's drugs and "there's not much more we can do" days are over. The testimonies of people who have come back and maintained it for several years, included in the book, is just too compelling to think otherwise.

My mother is at mild cognitive impairment level and she said thisbook is very informative and she wish she'd have had it sooner but you dont know til you know.

I was recommended this book by a friend when my mother was diagnosed with moderate Alzheimers. The book is very eye-opening and made so much sense. I did have to skim over some of the medical parts that are a bit over the average person's head, but most of the book is very helpful. This also led to finding a doctor that is versed in this method. We found a doctor for my mom in Michigan that has studied this method and we took her there. It was a night and day difference between what the standard traditional doctors were telling us. Previous doctors hadn't done bloodwork or an MRI and just diagnosed her, gave her 2 pills that "might" slow it down and said there is no cure. I was in tears. Then, after we went to the new doctor who followed this protocol, they did bloodwork, an MRI, and mold testing. They did a timeline of my mother's life looking for triggers. The results? She was full of mold! She also had a normal brain according to the MRI with no shrinkage. As well as high insulin and a few other treatable issues. We have hope now. This time I had tears of happiness. She's on a new diet that she HATES and is taking a lot of supplements and a prescription to rid her of the mold. I have to keep reminding her, do you want your old diet, a cupcake, a cookie? Or do you want a healthy mind? So she snaps back in line and is trying hard to be healthier. Will there be a cost? Yes, but a majority of her testing was covered by Medicare. We had to pay for the office visits and her supplements. A small price for a better life. We are in the beginning phases here, but very hopeful. Read this book, find an integrative health doctor in your area that knows of this method and give it a try. Don't settle for what your traditional doctor tells you. They only know so much and aren't trained in treating the body as a whole. They are too concerned looking for a single pill that will be a cure to a problem that is much deeper than that. Our system is antiquated. Our diet and lifestyles need to change. If you or a loved one are questioning your memory. Get on the road to better health now. Most people wait too long. It's your mind, your memories, who you are. I can't recommend this enough.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. Bredesen for writing this book. I have a family member who is likely in the early stages of AD. After receiving no help from our regular doctors (not their fault), we sought out help from functional medicine providers specifically trained/knowledgeable about the MEND Protocol. As a result, I have learned a great deal about AD in the past 6 months, and having it all summarized concisely in one book is wonderful. I did previously understand the basics to his ReCODE program before reading this book due to my own research and interactions with doctors over the past 6 months, but I'm guessing it will be completely new and life-changing information to most readers. The program is solidly based on science and makes complete sense, but it is somewhat complicated and may seem daunting when you first learn about the lifestyle changes needed. Some things I really appreciate in this book: 1. Chapter 5 details what neurological processes occur to cause AD, and it's extremely complicated and fascinating. I really appreciate having this explained. 2. There are a lot of supplements needed to optimize each person's health, and it was refreshing to NOT be encouraged to purchase a specific supplement brand in which the author has a financial interest. 3. I loved chapters 10 and 11. There are MANY lifestyle changes to be made and it can be overwhelming. These chapters help provide the support and encouragement needed to make those changes. 4. Many people (doctors and regular folks), when first hearing about this approach, will think it is crazy. My family members did. And there will be lots of resistance and skepticism. Chapter 12 was great because it provides answers to the inevitable doubts such as, "If this program is so great why isn't everyone doing it?" Or, "Who knows what's even in the supplements?" With already being knowledgeable about this program, I probably have a slightly different take on this book. I pre-ordered it and read it in one day. I'm super happy to have it and am loaning it to my other family members right away. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, because let's face it - AD is sadly becoming an epidemic in our country. This book offers hope for those who are willing to make the effort.

I bought the Kindle version, even though it costs more, so I could search it. A printed version may be better for highlighting and note-taking in the margins. The book just goes on and on about all the different possible causes, tests you need to take, and supplements you may benefit from, but only if you need them. I had to put it down for a while and when I resumed reading, I had forgotten many of the previous terms. I wish it were better organized like a workshop manual with flow charts, and am hoping his new book fills that void. I've started by going into mild ketosis (intermittent fasting, avoiding all forms of added sugars, refined flour, and other high glycemic carbs.) I confirmed it at first with test strips. I was already taking turmeric and ginger, and now also take magnesium, zinc and D3. I don't lose my glasses as often as I was. I'm 71 and still work part time, also volunteer as a firefighter/ EMT. I think volunteer work, helping others, is crucial to mental health. Haven't finished the complete book yet, and when I do I'll have to re-read it, taking notes and maybe scheduling some tests.

Love the detail, the rationale for every recommendation given. This was a GREAT starter book to read and I dog-eared some pages I still use for reference as I tweak my diet and supplement regimen. It can get very expensive so I have to pick and choose what is essential for me. The only thing I am not crazy about is after reading it and getting engaged in online groups associated with his protocol they seem a bit cultish as if his way is the only way. And in turn it has led to lots of very biased sales-oriented "programs" and webcasts and expensive supplements so at some point you don't have time and money for all of it. I have found other resources too and there is lots of peer-reviewed literature on the successes his program has, AND the Mediterranean and MIND diets/ lifestyle etc. Do your research based on your specific health issues.