Looking at Alzheimer's

Larry A. Law

Deaths from Alzheimer's more than doubled between 2000 and 2019. In 2023, nearly 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease. Today, 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or dementia—the death toll exceeds the total of breast- and prostate cancer combined. Officially, it's the sixth-leading cause of death, but a 2014 study suggests that it is actually one of the top three (just behind heart disease and cancer). The discrepancy being how death certificates underreport the disese because they record the more immediate cause of death (pneumonia or heart attack) rather than listing the underlyings causes. 

Contributing Factors

Research published in September 2023, linked high serotonin outside brain cells to dementia. The study suggested that the prevention of this problem could be as simple as eating extra salt (real sea salt, not the refined, processed kind). 

Prolonged exposure to estrogen was linked to Alzheimer's severity in a study published in October, 2021. Nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer's patients are women. Long exposure to estrogen can lead to cancer. Avoiding estrogen replacement therapy and minimizing exposure to estrogen in products like plastic containers and food packaging, skin and hair care products, and makeup is helpful.

Poor mitochondrial function resulting in poor energy production is a definite component. The aging process itself appears to be a root cause. Young people typically don't get Alzheimer's. After you hit the age of 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer's doubles every 5 years. Your risk reaches nearly one out of three by the time you're 85.  

Gum disease is linked. Nearly half of adults above the age of 30 have gum disease and 70% of those age 65 and older have periodontal disease. The key bacteria  involved is Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) which causes chronic periodontitis. Research indicates that this bacteria can make its way to the brain and cause neuroinflammation contributing to Alzheimer's. 

How to Lower Risk

Opitmal mitochondrial function depends on your diet. Dr. Mercola suggests ditching all processed foods, fast foods, and most restaurant foods as they are all loaded with or cooked in seed oils--linoleic acid (LA) is a huge problem for health. Focus on organic, whole and minimally processed foods. 

For reducing gum disease, knowledgeable dentists suggest avoiding mouthwash and other similar dental products that are disinfectants or antibacterial as they kill off the good (commensal) bacteria. Other helpful things that can be done include avoiding processed food, genetically engineered (GMO) food, emulsifiers in food, plastic drinking containers, and avoiding mouth breathing/dry mouth. Of course, the sugar nutrients we talk about in our class are essential for supporting the immune system. You can learn more about them in my book, There's An Elephant in the Room—Exposing Hidden Truths in the Science of Health.