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The End of Alzheimer's Program (Export): The First Protocol to Enhance Cognition and Reverse Decline at Any Age
The New York Times Best Selling author of The End of Alzheimer's lays out a specific plan to help everyone prevent and reverse cognitive decline or simply maximize brainpower.
In The End of Alzheimer's Dale Bredesen laid out the science behind his revolutionary new program that is the first to both prevent and reverse symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Now he lays out the detailed program he uses with his own patients. Accessible and detailed, it can be tailored to anyone's needs and will enhance cognitive ability at any age.
What we call Alzheimer's disease is actually a protective response to a wide variety of insults to the brain: inflammation, insulin resistance, toxins, infections, and inadequate levels of nutrients, hormones, and growth factors. Bredesen starts by having us figure out which of these insults we need to address and continues by laying out a personalized lifestyle plan. Focusing on the Ketoflex 12/3 Diet, which triggers ketosis and lets the brain restore itself with a minimum 12-hour fast, Dr. Bredesen drills down on restorative sleep, targeted supplementation, exercise, and brain training. He also examines the tricky question of toxic exposure and provides workarounds for many difficult problems. The takeaway is that we do not need to do the program perfectly but will see tremendous results if we can do it well enough.
With inspiring stories from patients who have reversed cognitive decline and are now thriving, this book shifts the treatment paradigm and offers a new and effective way to enhance cognition as well as unprecedented hope to sufferers of this now no longer deadly disease.
In The End of Alzheimer's Dale Bredesen laid out the science behind his revolutionary new program that is the first to both prevent and reverse symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Now he lays out the detailed program he uses with his own patients. Accessible and detailed, it can be tailored to anyone's needs and will enhance cognitive ability at any age.
What we call Alzheimer's disease is actually a protective response to a wide variety of insults to the brain: inflammation, insulin resistance, toxins, infections, and inadequate levels of nutrients, hormones, and growth factors. Bredesen starts by having us figure out which of these insults we need to address and continues by laying out a personalized lifestyle plan. Focusing on the Ketoflex 12/3 Diet, which triggers ketosis and lets the brain restore itself with a minimum 12-hour fast, Dr. Bredesen drills down on restorative sleep, targeted supplementation, exercise, and brain training. He also examines the tricky question of toxic exposure and provides workarounds for many difficult problems. The takeaway is that we do not need to do the program perfectly but will see tremendous results if we can do it well enough.
With inspiring stories from patients who have reversed cognitive decline and are now thriving, this book shifts the treatment paradigm and offers a new and effective way to enhance cognition as well as unprecedented hope to sufferers of this now no longer deadly disease.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
952 people are currently reading
956 people want to read
About the author
Dale E. Bredesen
27 books103 followersDale Bredesen, M.D., is internationally recognized as an expert in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. He graduated from Caltech, then earned his M.D. from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. He served as chief resident in neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) before joining Nobel laureate Stanley Prusiner’s laboratory at UCSF as an NIH postdoctoral fellow. He held faculty positions at UCSF, UCLA, and the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Bredesen directed the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute before coming to the Buck Institute in 1998 as its founding president and CEO. He is the chief medical officer of MPI Cognition.
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December 27, 2020
This sequel to The End of Alzheimer's is an attempt at a complete guide to a healthy lifestyle.
Alas, science is still too primitive to enable an impressive version of that. So what we end up with is this guide that would overwhelm anyone who tries to follow it thoroughly, while still lacking the kind of evidence that would convince a skeptic.
Bredesen provides some guidance about which advice is most valuable - primarily the changes needed to reduce insulin resistance. That still leaves lots of ideas for which it's hard to guess which ones I ought to worry about.
Evidence
The strength of the evidence is somewhat like the evidence against smoking that was available in 1960, or the evidence in favor of masks in March 2020.
The mainstream medical establishment seems more resistant to imperfect evidence than it was in 1960.
This book pays little attention to convincing skeptics or to motivating readers to care about the health benefits that it offers. Most people should read The End of Alzheimer's before deciding whether they care enough to wade through this book.
Exercise is one area where his advice is backed by better evidence than I expected. A meta-analysis of 19 studies of people at risk for Alzheimer's concluded:
New Tidbits
Some examples of new ideas in the book that I found interesting:
* we should brew green tea at no more than 170 degrees to maintain its healthy qualities
* canned tomatoes are especially risky due to the effects of their acidity on BPA
* it's probably healthier to sleep on one's side. The evidence cited is a rather tenuous, but plausible inference from rats
He's added more types to his attempts to decompose Alzheimer's into useful diagnostic categories. That looks like progress, as I can now identify one (vascular) as closely matching my guess about what I'd be at risk for if I were careless about my lifestyle.
Benzodiazepine use is clearly correlated with cognitive decline. It seems unlikely that we'll get anything resembling an RCT on this, but careful controls lend some support to the concern that benzodiazepine is causing the decline.
Changes in his Protocol
His homocysteine advice seems more plausible now. He's removed the suspicious advice to try methionine restriction as a last resort. But he sticks with his target of 7 or lower. I have increasing reason to doubt that that target is feasible for me, and likely for many other people. I guess that other, apparently unrelated, parts of his protocol (SIBO treatment?) may end up enabling me to hit that target. Or maybe his advice to try higher doses of TMG and choline will help. But I suspect I'll end up settling for a target of 8.
He changed his recommended pregnenolone blood levels from a maximum of 100, to a minimum of 100. I'd like to know why.
My Doubts
Bredesen highly recommends Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep". A critic says the book is riddled with scientific and factual errors. OTOH, Bill Gates says This book put me to sleep. I can easily imagine that Walker's advice helps most of the people who read it, even if his justifications for the advice are crappy. I'm inclined to guess that Bredesen was right to recommend it, but wrong to not qualify that recommendation.
Bredesen encourages prayer: "some research has also demonstrated that prayer can even positively affect outcomes.", citing a paper which speculates that prayer could produce meditation-like benefits. The paper has good links to support the benefits of meditation, but the link to prayer seems to be just a guess. The paper is mainly about both positive and negative outcomes for people who were prayed for, leaving me confused as to what Bredesen wants us to get out of the paper.
He's more cautious about fruit than I think is healthy. He lists 22 fruits that he recommends, and discourages us from eating others. Maybe that caution is appropriate for people who are recovering from insulin resistance, but I'm pretty sure it's healthy for the rest of us to eat almost any type of whole fruit. Bredesen seems to place too much weight on the Glycemic Index, when a more appropriate measure of risk would say it's safe to eat sugar if accompanied by decent amounts of fiber and other nutrients.
I'm pretty sure these fruits should be considered healthy: baobab, pumpkin, figs, and pretty much any berry. I like berries that he likely hasn't heard of: saskatoonberries, salmonberries, and cloudberries. However, it's hard to get those without added sugar.
Conclusion
He has apparently made slow progress at expanding the network of doctors who understand his protocol - see Josh Mitteldorf's experience. I don't plan to use that network, as I'm getting health support via a somewhat similar functional medicine group.a
It will require plenty of time and attention to get value out of this book. The risk / reward ratio looks good for pretty much all of Bredesen's ideas. I expect that most people over about 55 or 60 will be able to get some benefits from trying out his advice, even though some unpredictable fraction will end up being wastes of time. A small fraction of readers will likely get big benefits.
P.S. Ignore the foreword (written by Perlmutter). Medicine is not polarized between reductionism and holism. The dichotomy I see plaguing Alzheimer's research is closer to the tension between High Modernism and something more Bayesian. Perlmutter is misusing the term reductionism. Bredesen is trying to follow Einstein's advice that "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.", and is being resisted because the degree of simplicity that he's been able to achieve so far doesn't match the demands of standard medical practice. Scientism might be a better word to describe what Perlmutter is trying to oppose.
Alas, science is still too primitive to enable an impressive version of that. So what we end up with is this guide that would overwhelm anyone who tries to follow it thoroughly, while still lacking the kind of evidence that would convince a skeptic.
Bredesen provides some guidance about which advice is most valuable - primarily the changes needed to reduce insulin resistance. That still leaves lots of ideas for which it's hard to guess which ones I ought to worry about.
Evidence
The strength of the evidence is somewhat like the evidence against smoking that was available in 1960, or the evidence in favor of masks in March 2020.
The mainstream medical establishment seems more resistant to imperfect evidence than it was in 1960.
This book pays little attention to convincing skeptics or to motivating readers to care about the health benefits that it offers. Most people should read The End of Alzheimer's before deciding whether they care enough to wade through this book.
Exercise is one area where his advice is backed by better evidence than I expected. A meta-analysis of 19 studies of people at risk for Alzheimer's concluded:
Overall, there was a modest favorable effect of exercise on cognitive function (d+ = 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26–0.68)
New Tidbits
Some examples of new ideas in the book that I found interesting:
* we should brew green tea at no more than 170 degrees to maintain its healthy qualities
* canned tomatoes are especially risky due to the effects of their acidity on BPA
* it's probably healthier to sleep on one's side. The evidence cited is a rather tenuous, but plausible inference from rats
He's added more types to his attempts to decompose Alzheimer's into useful diagnostic categories. That looks like progress, as I can now identify one (vascular) as closely matching my guess about what I'd be at risk for if I were careless about my lifestyle.
Benzodiazepine use is clearly correlated with cognitive decline. It seems unlikely that we'll get anything resembling an RCT on this, but careful controls lend some support to the concern that benzodiazepine is causing the decline.
Changes in his Protocol
His homocysteine advice seems more plausible now. He's removed the suspicious advice to try methionine restriction as a last resort. But he sticks with his target of 7 or lower. I have increasing reason to doubt that that target is feasible for me, and likely for many other people. I guess that other, apparently unrelated, parts of his protocol (SIBO treatment?) may end up enabling me to hit that target. Or maybe his advice to try higher doses of TMG and choline will help. But I suspect I'll end up settling for a target of 8.
He changed his recommended pregnenolone blood levels from a maximum of 100, to a minimum of 100. I'd like to know why.
My Doubts
Bredesen highly recommends Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep". A critic says the book is riddled with scientific and factual errors. OTOH, Bill Gates says This book put me to sleep. I can easily imagine that Walker's advice helps most of the people who read it, even if his justifications for the advice are crappy. I'm inclined to guess that Bredesen was right to recommend it, but wrong to not qualify that recommendation.
Bredesen encourages prayer: "some research has also demonstrated that prayer can even positively affect outcomes.", citing a paper which speculates that prayer could produce meditation-like benefits. The paper has good links to support the benefits of meditation, but the link to prayer seems to be just a guess. The paper is mainly about both positive and negative outcomes for people who were prayed for, leaving me confused as to what Bredesen wants us to get out of the paper.
He's more cautious about fruit than I think is healthy. He lists 22 fruits that he recommends, and discourages us from eating others. Maybe that caution is appropriate for people who are recovering from insulin resistance, but I'm pretty sure it's healthy for the rest of us to eat almost any type of whole fruit. Bredesen seems to place too much weight on the Glycemic Index, when a more appropriate measure of risk would say it's safe to eat sugar if accompanied by decent amounts of fiber and other nutrients.
I'm pretty sure these fruits should be considered healthy: baobab, pumpkin, figs, and pretty much any berry. I like berries that he likely hasn't heard of: saskatoonberries, salmonberries, and cloudberries. However, it's hard to get those without added sugar.
Conclusion
He has apparently made slow progress at expanding the network of doctors who understand his protocol - see Josh Mitteldorf's experience. I don't plan to use that network, as I'm getting health support via a somewhat similar functional medicine group.a
It will require plenty of time and attention to get value out of this book. The risk / reward ratio looks good for pretty much all of Bredesen's ideas. I expect that most people over about 55 or 60 will be able to get some benefits from trying out his advice, even though some unpredictable fraction will end up being wastes of time. A small fraction of readers will likely get big benefits.
P.S. Ignore the foreword (written by Perlmutter). Medicine is not polarized between reductionism and holism. The dichotomy I see plaguing Alzheimer's research is closer to the tension between High Modernism and something more Bayesian. Perlmutter is misusing the term reductionism. Bredesen is trying to follow Einstein's advice that "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.", and is being resisted because the degree of simplicity that he's been able to achieve so far doesn't match the demands of standard medical practice. Scientism might be a better word to describe what Perlmutter is trying to oppose.
August 28, 2020
EXCELLENT
Great follow to his first book published in 2017.
That book and working with a Function Medicine M.D. who trained with Dr Bredesen,
I have followed the Protocol now for 3 years with terrific results:
No more “Senior Moments”
At 76, Great Confidence in my physical Health and mental acuity going Forward.
Look up his CV :
Cal Tech undergrad with honors,
M.D. from Duke,
Research with Dr. Stanley Prusiner, who received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for Brain Research.
Founded the Buck Institute for Aging Research (had a Lab there for many years)
Set up The UCLA Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Research
. . . . and more . . .
Check out the many interviews with him on YouTube
Great follow to his first book published in 2017.
That book and working with a Function Medicine M.D. who trained with Dr Bredesen,
I have followed the Protocol now for 3 years with terrific results:
No more “Senior Moments”
At 76, Great Confidence in my physical Health and mental acuity going Forward.
Look up his CV :
Cal Tech undergrad with honors,
M.D. from Duke,
Research with Dr. Stanley Prusiner, who received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for Brain Research.
Founded the Buck Institute for Aging Research (had a Lab there for many years)
Set up The UCLA Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Research
. . . . and more . . .
Check out the many interviews with him on YouTube
November 9, 2021
I would like to have seen some actual day-to-day meal planning of what one can eat on this diet. That may just be me who needs something more concrete. What does a breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner look like? The science was all well and good but the practical side of me needed more detail on the foods and meal planning.
November 17, 2020
Interesting and informative with accessible science-based explanations to accompany the suggestions for diet changes, supplements and lifestyle modifications. One thing this is lacking are convenient tables/lists to refer to for specific supplement recommendations.
June 15, 2021
cognitive decline statistic,
R&D, FDA mine cures simplistic,
but a few as such align with holistic.
A protocol is bold,
to overhaul healthcare mold and much been told;
No Alzheimer drugs should be sold,
though gadgets and supplements bankrolled.
I suggest:
sow TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) in medical schools,
allow treatment only with integral rules and tools.
A reference guide I behold
comprehensive, yet no set standard gold.
A humanistic plan to carry one's life long controlled,
A hedonistic man may merry all along before fold.
R&D, FDA mine cures simplistic,
but a few as such align with holistic.
A protocol is bold,
to overhaul healthcare mold and much been told;
No Alzheimer drugs should be sold,
though gadgets and supplements bankrolled.
I suggest:
sow TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) in medical schools,
allow treatment only with integral rules and tools.
A reference guide I behold
comprehensive, yet no set standard gold.
A humanistic plan to carry one's life long controlled,
A hedonistic man may merry all along before fold.
August 11, 2022
¡Hola! Hoy os traigo una nueva reseña gracias a la colaboración de Edición Anticipada, del libro “El fin del Alzhéimer” y a Penguin Random House por el envió del ejemplar.
No soy muy dada a leer este tipo de libros, pero cuando te toca esta enfermedad de cerca como es el Alzhéimer te lees todo lo que sea necesario para poder entender esta maldita enfermedad. Y poder ayudar a tus seres queridos que la padece y de paso si es posible a ti misma para poder detectarla cuando comienzas a tener los primeros síntomas.
El libro te presenta un programa elaborado por el Dr. Bredesen que me ha parecido muy interesante y todos deberíamos de leerlo para tenerlo en cuenta en un futuro. Ya que todos estamos predispuestos a padecer esta enfermedad por diferentes factores.
El libro nos muestra como está actualmente la investigación sobre el deterioro cognitivo (que en la actualidad todos llegamos a sufrirlo en mayor o menor medida), así como darnos unas pautas concretas y bastantes sencillas para revertir esos efectos.
El test que el Dr. Bredesen nos muestra te hace preguntarte si comemos bien, hacemos el ejercicio adecuado e incluso si dormimos como deberíamos.
Lo que hace que nos haga reflexionar, en como nos afectara a nuestro cerebro el estilo de vida que llevamos. Eso sí, sin perder la atención medicina tradicional.
Alzheimer:
Deterioro Cognitivo.
Causas:
Deficiencia hormonal, o desequilibrio nutricional, exposición a toxinas culinarias, estrés, dormir mal.
Soluciones:
Realizarse exámenes de intolerancia a la glucosa, ejercitar el cerebro, llevar una vida tranquila, dormir y comer bien.
Este libro, no prometerá curaciones milagrosas, ni dietas milagros. Si no todo lo contrario lo que hace que recapacitemos el estilo de vida que tenemos y lo predispuestos que estamos a padecer la enfermedad. Eso si siempre orientándote por tu médico de familia por supuesto. Y para que llevemos una vida más saludable.
“El Alzhéimer no tiene cura, pero este programa experimental del Dr. Bredesen me da ha entender que hay algo que podemos hacer para cuidar nuestro cerebro y mantener dormido el alzhéimer e incluso poder revertir sus efectos gracias a cambiar nuestra nutrición y estilo de vida”.
Es un libro muy completo, está bien escrito, es fácil de entender, aunque hay algunas partes más técnicas. Explica todo sobre el Alzhéimer de una manera bien detallada, lo que lo va provocando y como va poco a poco sucediendo todo. Pero lo que más me ha gustado, es que nos enseña trucos, actividades, cosas que hacer para no llegar a tener la enfermedad si se tiene predisposición a ella o si estas empezando.
Desde trucos, que alimentos tomar para ayudar a tu salud y a tu cerebro, ejercicios de memoria, etc.
Todo de una forma muy detallada junto con datos y estudios probados, por los pacientes del Dr. Bredesen que nos irán relatando sus experiencias. Da esperanza a los enfermos basándose en datos y casos reales que defienden sus afirmaciones.
Lo negativo que he encontrado en el libro:
Fuera de Estados Unidos es muy difícil encontrar ayuda para seguir el método del Dr. Bredesen.
En mi país (España) no hay nadie capacitado para seguir este método, ya que sus pruebas son demasiada novedosas para hacer los análisis sanguíneos correspondientes y llevar el correspondiente seguimiento. Son pruebas caras y que se basa en pruebas de Estados Unidos.
También la suplementación que recomienda según el caso y en el cambio de dieta suele ser bastante cara.
En definitiva, si tienes cerebro, tienes que leer este libro. Su autor sólo desea que nadie tenga que morir padeciendo Alzheimer y no se deja nada en el tintero. Es un libro básico para cualquier persona que padece perdidas de memoria de cualquier índole. Es imprescindible y de uso obligado si te preguntas que podemos hacer con esta terrible enfermedad llamada Alzhéimer. Gracias al método experimental del Dr. Bredesen conoceremos esta enfermedad y como podemos detectarla a tiempo, e incluso con él poder revertirla. Llevando un estilo de vida más saludable. EL Dr. Bredesen detalla de forma precisa como debemos seguir el protocolo para ver mejoría en las personas afectadas.
Una lectura 100% recomendable para todo el mundo, pero principalmente a cualquier cuidador o familiar cercano de personas con Alzhéimer, demencia senil, etc. Tiene que leer estos avances probados por el Dr. Bredesen para detener e incluso revertir la pérdida de memoria.
https://emimimundomisreglasmisopinion...
No soy muy dada a leer este tipo de libros, pero cuando te toca esta enfermedad de cerca como es el Alzhéimer te lees todo lo que sea necesario para poder entender esta maldita enfermedad. Y poder ayudar a tus seres queridos que la padece y de paso si es posible a ti misma para poder detectarla cuando comienzas a tener los primeros síntomas.
El libro te presenta un programa elaborado por el Dr. Bredesen que me ha parecido muy interesante y todos deberíamos de leerlo para tenerlo en cuenta en un futuro. Ya que todos estamos predispuestos a padecer esta enfermedad por diferentes factores.
El libro nos muestra como está actualmente la investigación sobre el deterioro cognitivo (que en la actualidad todos llegamos a sufrirlo en mayor o menor medida), así como darnos unas pautas concretas y bastantes sencillas para revertir esos efectos.
El test que el Dr. Bredesen nos muestra te hace preguntarte si comemos bien, hacemos el ejercicio adecuado e incluso si dormimos como deberíamos.
Lo que hace que nos haga reflexionar, en como nos afectara a nuestro cerebro el estilo de vida que llevamos. Eso sí, sin perder la atención medicina tradicional.
Alzheimer:
Deterioro Cognitivo.
Causas:
Deficiencia hormonal, o desequilibrio nutricional, exposición a toxinas culinarias, estrés, dormir mal.
Soluciones:
Realizarse exámenes de intolerancia a la glucosa, ejercitar el cerebro, llevar una vida tranquila, dormir y comer bien.
Este libro, no prometerá curaciones milagrosas, ni dietas milagros. Si no todo lo contrario lo que hace que recapacitemos el estilo de vida que tenemos y lo predispuestos que estamos a padecer la enfermedad. Eso si siempre orientándote por tu médico de familia por supuesto. Y para que llevemos una vida más saludable.
“El Alzhéimer no tiene cura, pero este programa experimental del Dr. Bredesen me da ha entender que hay algo que podemos hacer para cuidar nuestro cerebro y mantener dormido el alzhéimer e incluso poder revertir sus efectos gracias a cambiar nuestra nutrición y estilo de vida”.
Es un libro muy completo, está bien escrito, es fácil de entender, aunque hay algunas partes más técnicas. Explica todo sobre el Alzhéimer de una manera bien detallada, lo que lo va provocando y como va poco a poco sucediendo todo. Pero lo que más me ha gustado, es que nos enseña trucos, actividades, cosas que hacer para no llegar a tener la enfermedad si se tiene predisposición a ella o si estas empezando.
Desde trucos, que alimentos tomar para ayudar a tu salud y a tu cerebro, ejercicios de memoria, etc.
Todo de una forma muy detallada junto con datos y estudios probados, por los pacientes del Dr. Bredesen que nos irán relatando sus experiencias. Da esperanza a los enfermos basándose en datos y casos reales que defienden sus afirmaciones.
Lo negativo que he encontrado en el libro:
Fuera de Estados Unidos es muy difícil encontrar ayuda para seguir el método del Dr. Bredesen.
En mi país (España) no hay nadie capacitado para seguir este método, ya que sus pruebas son demasiada novedosas para hacer los análisis sanguíneos correspondientes y llevar el correspondiente seguimiento. Son pruebas caras y que se basa en pruebas de Estados Unidos.
También la suplementación que recomienda según el caso y en el cambio de dieta suele ser bastante cara.
En definitiva, si tienes cerebro, tienes que leer este libro. Su autor sólo desea que nadie tenga que morir padeciendo Alzheimer y no se deja nada en el tintero. Es un libro básico para cualquier persona que padece perdidas de memoria de cualquier índole. Es imprescindible y de uso obligado si te preguntas que podemos hacer con esta terrible enfermedad llamada Alzhéimer. Gracias al método experimental del Dr. Bredesen conoceremos esta enfermedad y como podemos detectarla a tiempo, e incluso con él poder revertirla. Llevando un estilo de vida más saludable. EL Dr. Bredesen detalla de forma precisa como debemos seguir el protocolo para ver mejoría en las personas afectadas.
Una lectura 100% recomendable para todo el mundo, pero principalmente a cualquier cuidador o familiar cercano de personas con Alzhéimer, demencia senil, etc. Tiene que leer estos avances probados por el Dr. Bredesen para detener e incluso revertir la pérdida de memoria.
https://emimimundomisreglasmisopinion...
July 27, 2022
Seemed like good advice and well detailed. Kind of lost me with the no sugar, no grain, no dairy. Two years ago my husband and I changed the way we ate. We became mostly vegan, still eating plain yogurt and fish and on special occasions even meat. In the last year I think we've eaten meat less than 5 times. To take it another step by eliminating all sugar, grain and dairy is too far for us. We feel as though we're living on fruits and vegetables as it is.
I am eliminating myself as a possible reviewer of this book for the above reason.
I am eliminating myself as a possible reviewer of this book for the above reason.
December 13, 2020
I loved his first book, which outlined the program. It gave me hope. I thought this book would give me a roadmap, a checklist in the correct order of what to do and how to do them, but it seems pretty much as complicated and overwhelming as the first book, only this time throwing out a bunch of statistics and facts without actually listing the sources in the back of the book. He listed his website for people to view sources, but that seems like an odd way to save on printing cost. When I see a source referenced, I automatically skim to where referenced sources are listed to see if I've heard of it, or to look into it while I'm learning about the topic to confirm if it's reputable (or not). This didn't allow for that, and it automatically made me feel like I couldn't trust the author, like he was trying to hide things. (He also mentioned how sunscreen is bad, in a very offhand sort of way, which shocked me.) I want to believe what he's writing, but now that he's written a second book that doesn't do much more than the first (and I heard that there's another scheduled for publication next year), I wonder if he's a little more interested in extra income than advancing the fight against cognitive decline.
December 1, 2020
Lots of information; it was not always clear what was based upon literature research and what was based upon experience and opinion. It is frustrating to me to purchase a book which appears to be a reference on how to follow a treatment of Alzheimer’s and then find out that the references have to be looked up on line. There are many treatment suggestions and comments that do not have references.
The body of work is complex and the results reported are impressive. I look forward to hearing more about it.
The body of work is complex and the results reported are impressive. I look forward to hearing more about it.
June 2, 2022
The advice in this book is largely not evidence-based. Citations are a mess and many recommendations do not have any evidence cited. Most of the “evidence” is anecdotal; this patient was severely impaired, took these supplements and had a miraculous recovery. There is advice here that is likely sound for improving cognitive health: eat more plants, low glycemic foods, exercise, get good quality sleep. The good advice is mixed in with too much of what looks like quackery to me. Not a book I could recommend to friends or patients.
October 22, 2025
Fascinating information however seems unattainable for the general public. You’d have to have a very willing provider and amazing insurance to support the amount of lab work needed to gather and trend values. However, a lot of interesting tips on how to prevent, stop, and reverse symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This sparks my interest in learning more!
Read
April 11, 2025In "The End of Alzheimer’s Program", Dr. Dale Bredesen presents a compelling argument that challenges the conventional understanding of Alzheimer’s as a disease that is both untreatable and an inevitable part of aging. He introduces a new way of thinking about cognitive decline, proposing that it stems not from a single source but from a wide range of biological factors that, if addressed early and effectively, can slow or even reverse the progression of the disease. By illustrating real-life success stories and combining them with years of scientific research, Bredesen lays out a personalized, systems-based approach aimed at restoring cognitive health through his ReCODE protocol.
The book emphasizes that Alzheimer’s often begins silently, years before any noticeable symptoms appear. Rather than viewing the brain as simply deteriorating over time, Bredesen explains that cognitive decline is the brain’s way of adapting to chronic stressors—be it inflammation, infection, or environmental toxins. This protective mechanism leads the brain to shift from growth to defense, causing synaptic disconnection and memory loss. The challenge, he argues, is not to find a single cure, but to understand what is driving the brain into this retreat and to systematically remove those stressors.
Alzheimer’s, according to Bredesen, is not a single disease with a single cause. It varies from person to person and can stem from different root problems, such as chronic inflammation, hormone imbalances, insulin resistance, or toxin accumulation. In some cases, genetics—especially the presence of the ApoE4 gene—play a strong role, but even that genetic risk can be mitigated with the right intervention. Traditional medicine has failed in its search for a one-pill solution, largely because it treats Alzheimer’s as if it were a disease like an infection or tumor. Bredesen argues that this approach ignores the complex, multifactorial nature of cognitive decline.
Through powerful patient stories, Bredesen shows that significant improvements are possible when the right interventions are applied. Claudia, a 78-year-old woman who had lost her ability to perform daily tasks and communicate clearly, made an astonishing turnaround after starting a targeted treatment plan. By removing toxins from her system, improving her metabolism, and supporting her brain through personalized nutritional and lifestyle changes, she regained her independence and even resumed cycling. While such full recoveries are rare, they demonstrate what might be achieved when the root causes of decline are addressed.
Central to Bredesen’s approach is the ReCODE protocol—short for Reversal of Cognitive Decline. Unlike conventional models that treat symptoms, ReCODE identifies and corrects the underlying imbalances driving the disease. This involves a combination of lab testing, nutritional changes, detoxification, sleep optimization, stress management, and personalized supplementation. By customizing treatment plans to each person’s unique biology, the protocol aims to restore healthy brain function and prevent further decline. Patients like Nina, who had no outward signs of Alzheimer’s but was at high genetic risk, followed the protocol and experienced noticeable cognitive improvements—proof that prevention is not only possible but effective.
One of the key themes throughout the book is the critical role of nutrition in maintaining cognitive health. The brain requires specific nutrients to function optimally, and Bredesen introduces the KetoFLEX 12/3 diet to address this need. This approach prioritizes healthy fats, non-starchy vegetables, clean proteins, and intermittent fasting. Since aging brains often struggle to process glucose efficiently, the KetoFLEX strategy encourages the use of ketones as an alternative energy source, which supports stable mental performance. Intermittent fasting, where the last meal is consumed at least three hours before bedtime and a fasting window of twelve hours or more is maintained, helps regulate metabolism and reduce inflammation.
In addition to macronutrient balance, the diet emphasizes critical micronutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants, all of which support neural connections and reduce inflammation. Plant-based compounds such as curcumin, bacopa, and lion’s mane mushroom promote neuroplasticity and enhance memory. Bredesen warns that sugar, gluten, and processed foods can contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, accelerating cognitive decline. A shift toward nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods can offer real protection for brain health.
Alongside nutrition, lifestyle habits such as exercise, sleep, and stress management are highlighted as vital for brain resilience. Regular movement—including strength training, aerobic activity, and even walking—supports blood flow to the brain and encourages the formation of new neural pathways. Physical health and cognitive health are deeply intertwined, and consistent exercise can improve both memory and mood. Quality sleep is also essential, as the brain performs its most important cleaning and memory consolidation during rest. Bredesen explains that disrupted sleep, especially due to conditions like sleep apnea, deprives the brain of oxygen and contributes to degeneration over time.
Chronic stress poses another major threat to brain function. Elevated cortisol levels from unrelieved stress impair memory and decision-making while increasing inflammation in the brain. Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and spending time in nature help reduce cortisol and support emotional well-being. Social interaction, lifelong learning, and mentally stimulating activities all play a role in keeping the brain agile and adaptable. The example of Okinawan elders—who live long, cognitively sharp lives thanks to healthy diets, regular physical activity, and strong social ties—shows how lifestyle choices can influence brain health even into old age.
A major component of the book focuses on toxins and their impact on cognitive health. Modern environments expose people to heavy metals, mold toxins, pesticides, and airborne pollutants that can silently accumulate in the body and brain over time. These substances disrupt normal cellular processes and create oxidative stress, which damages neurons. Bredesen shares the case of Lillianna, a woman whose cognitive issues were linked to toxic exposure from living near Ground Zero. Once identified, the toxins were treated, and her condition improved. He also warns that chronic infections—from viruses like herpes to tick-borne diseases and even gum disease—can lead to ongoing inflammation and damage in the brain.
Detoxification is a crucial part of the ReCODE protocol. While the body has its own mechanisms for eliminating waste, it often needs support through proper hydration, fiber intake, sauna therapy, and targeted supplementation. Reducing toxic load improves not only cognitive function but overall vitality. However, detox alone is not enough; it must be combined with proper nutrition, restful sleep, and inflammation control to protect the brain long-term.
Throughout the book, Bredesen stresses the importance of personalized data. Monitoring biomarkers like insulin, glucose, vitamin D, inflammatory markers, and homocysteine provides essential feedback. These markers help guide dietary and lifestyle adjustments and allow individuals to see what’s working and what’s not. This makes treatment more effective, and adjustments can be made before serious damage occurs. Research supports the power of this approach—a long-term study from the Karolinska Institute found that individuals who adjusted their lifestyle based on biomarker feedback had significantly lower rates of cognitive decline.
In conclusion, "The End of Alzheimer’s Program" offers a refreshing and hopeful perspective on cognitive health. Rather than accepting Alzheimer’s as a grim certainty of aging, Bredesen presents a roadmap for preventing and, in some cases, reversing decline. His approach is rooted in deep respect for the body’s complexity, advocating for personalized treatment that addresses the many interwoven factors contributing to brain degeneration. By focusing on early intervention, nutritional excellence, toxin reduction, and lifestyle alignment, the book empowers readers to take control of their brain health. It’s not a promise of an easy cure, but a call to commit to lasting habits that can protect and even restore mental clarity for years to come.
The book emphasizes that Alzheimer’s often begins silently, years before any noticeable symptoms appear. Rather than viewing the brain as simply deteriorating over time, Bredesen explains that cognitive decline is the brain’s way of adapting to chronic stressors—be it inflammation, infection, or environmental toxins. This protective mechanism leads the brain to shift from growth to defense, causing synaptic disconnection and memory loss. The challenge, he argues, is not to find a single cure, but to understand what is driving the brain into this retreat and to systematically remove those stressors.
Alzheimer’s, according to Bredesen, is not a single disease with a single cause. It varies from person to person and can stem from different root problems, such as chronic inflammation, hormone imbalances, insulin resistance, or toxin accumulation. In some cases, genetics—especially the presence of the ApoE4 gene—play a strong role, but even that genetic risk can be mitigated with the right intervention. Traditional medicine has failed in its search for a one-pill solution, largely because it treats Alzheimer’s as if it were a disease like an infection or tumor. Bredesen argues that this approach ignores the complex, multifactorial nature of cognitive decline.
Through powerful patient stories, Bredesen shows that significant improvements are possible when the right interventions are applied. Claudia, a 78-year-old woman who had lost her ability to perform daily tasks and communicate clearly, made an astonishing turnaround after starting a targeted treatment plan. By removing toxins from her system, improving her metabolism, and supporting her brain through personalized nutritional and lifestyle changes, she regained her independence and even resumed cycling. While such full recoveries are rare, they demonstrate what might be achieved when the root causes of decline are addressed.
Central to Bredesen’s approach is the ReCODE protocol—short for Reversal of Cognitive Decline. Unlike conventional models that treat symptoms, ReCODE identifies and corrects the underlying imbalances driving the disease. This involves a combination of lab testing, nutritional changes, detoxification, sleep optimization, stress management, and personalized supplementation. By customizing treatment plans to each person’s unique biology, the protocol aims to restore healthy brain function and prevent further decline. Patients like Nina, who had no outward signs of Alzheimer’s but was at high genetic risk, followed the protocol and experienced noticeable cognitive improvements—proof that prevention is not only possible but effective.
One of the key themes throughout the book is the critical role of nutrition in maintaining cognitive health. The brain requires specific nutrients to function optimally, and Bredesen introduces the KetoFLEX 12/3 diet to address this need. This approach prioritizes healthy fats, non-starchy vegetables, clean proteins, and intermittent fasting. Since aging brains often struggle to process glucose efficiently, the KetoFLEX strategy encourages the use of ketones as an alternative energy source, which supports stable mental performance. Intermittent fasting, where the last meal is consumed at least three hours before bedtime and a fasting window of twelve hours or more is maintained, helps regulate metabolism and reduce inflammation.
In addition to macronutrient balance, the diet emphasizes critical micronutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants, all of which support neural connections and reduce inflammation. Plant-based compounds such as curcumin, bacopa, and lion’s mane mushroom promote neuroplasticity and enhance memory. Bredesen warns that sugar, gluten, and processed foods can contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, accelerating cognitive decline. A shift toward nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods can offer real protection for brain health.
Alongside nutrition, lifestyle habits such as exercise, sleep, and stress management are highlighted as vital for brain resilience. Regular movement—including strength training, aerobic activity, and even walking—supports blood flow to the brain and encourages the formation of new neural pathways. Physical health and cognitive health are deeply intertwined, and consistent exercise can improve both memory and mood. Quality sleep is also essential, as the brain performs its most important cleaning and memory consolidation during rest. Bredesen explains that disrupted sleep, especially due to conditions like sleep apnea, deprives the brain of oxygen and contributes to degeneration over time.
Chronic stress poses another major threat to brain function. Elevated cortisol levels from unrelieved stress impair memory and decision-making while increasing inflammation in the brain. Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and spending time in nature help reduce cortisol and support emotional well-being. Social interaction, lifelong learning, and mentally stimulating activities all play a role in keeping the brain agile and adaptable. The example of Okinawan elders—who live long, cognitively sharp lives thanks to healthy diets, regular physical activity, and strong social ties—shows how lifestyle choices can influence brain health even into old age.
A major component of the book focuses on toxins and their impact on cognitive health. Modern environments expose people to heavy metals, mold toxins, pesticides, and airborne pollutants that can silently accumulate in the body and brain over time. These substances disrupt normal cellular processes and create oxidative stress, which damages neurons. Bredesen shares the case of Lillianna, a woman whose cognitive issues were linked to toxic exposure from living near Ground Zero. Once identified, the toxins were treated, and her condition improved. He also warns that chronic infections—from viruses like herpes to tick-borne diseases and even gum disease—can lead to ongoing inflammation and damage in the brain.
Detoxification is a crucial part of the ReCODE protocol. While the body has its own mechanisms for eliminating waste, it often needs support through proper hydration, fiber intake, sauna therapy, and targeted supplementation. Reducing toxic load improves not only cognitive function but overall vitality. However, detox alone is not enough; it must be combined with proper nutrition, restful sleep, and inflammation control to protect the brain long-term.
Throughout the book, Bredesen stresses the importance of personalized data. Monitoring biomarkers like insulin, glucose, vitamin D, inflammatory markers, and homocysteine provides essential feedback. These markers help guide dietary and lifestyle adjustments and allow individuals to see what’s working and what’s not. This makes treatment more effective, and adjustments can be made before serious damage occurs. Research supports the power of this approach—a long-term study from the Karolinska Institute found that individuals who adjusted their lifestyle based on biomarker feedback had significantly lower rates of cognitive decline.
In conclusion, "The End of Alzheimer’s Program" offers a refreshing and hopeful perspective on cognitive health. Rather than accepting Alzheimer’s as a grim certainty of aging, Bredesen presents a roadmap for preventing and, in some cases, reversing decline. His approach is rooted in deep respect for the body’s complexity, advocating for personalized treatment that addresses the many interwoven factors contributing to brain degeneration. By focusing on early intervention, nutritional excellence, toxin reduction, and lifestyle alignment, the book empowers readers to take control of their brain health. It’s not a promise of an easy cure, but a call to commit to lasting habits that can protect and even restore mental clarity for years to come.
January 19, 2021
The approach in the book is multifaceted, no silver bullet, but a set of things to do or to stop.
I'm going to buy 10 copies and give every single one of my dear ones older than 55 a copy. This is something they should know. Alzheimer's is unnecessary, and it can be reversed.
I considering writing Bredesen a letter asking him to create a 20 page easy summery for seniors. This because I would want my dad (with beginning aphasia and dislocation sensations) to read and comprehend what he should do. He'll believe a doctor sooner than he will believe a daughter.
I'm going to buy 10 copies and give every single one of my dear ones older than 55 a copy. This is something they should know. Alzheimer's is unnecessary, and it can be reversed.
I considering writing Bredesen a letter asking him to create a 20 page easy summery for seniors. This because I would want my dad (with beginning aphasia and dislocation sensations) to read and comprehend what he should do. He'll believe a doctor sooner than he will believe a daughter.
July 29, 2023
Two stars means "it was ok" according to GoodReads. Almost the entire book is talking about how to do a keto diet to help with Alzheimer's. The author spends way too much time explaining how to cook vegetables to make them less toxic when he should have simply recommended people with Alzheimer's to not eat toxic foods. There are many books that much better explain how to do a healthy keto/carnivore diet than this one. The last few pages go over additional supplements that may help to enhance cognition so that's where most of the value of the book comes in.
December 17, 2020
This is a very interesting method to fight dementia. It is not complicated and does not offer a simple pill but requires a person eats properly, exercise and sleep well. If anyone feels they are headed to Alzheimer's or know someone who is this book is worth reading
April 10, 2025
prevention read I guess - this is what I read when I'm in a good mood with coffee and a candle lmao
SOOO MANY NOTES AGH
(the book focused too much on diet in my opinion)
(and obvious things like sleep and stress and exercise was all very generic)
felt more like stats and background on the condition then guide on how to have a healthy brain
Despite the growing number of cases, the disease still isn’t detected early enough, and most people aren’t aware of ways to reduce their risk.
notes:
- While cases like Claudia’s are rare, and full recovery isn’t typical, her story highlights the potential of early intervention in slowing or even reversing cognitive decline.
- Alzheimer’s treatment can’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach
- Most people think of Alzheimer’s as an unavoidable consequence of aging, but that’s not entirely true. The disease often progresses silently for years before symptoms become noticeable, meaning there’s a critical window for early intervention. It’s a gradual cognitive disorder, with memory fading, reasoning weakening, and mental function declining—but this decline isn’t random. The brain doesn’t simply fail; it responds to stressors that shift it from a state of growth to one of retreat.
- research suggests it’s driven by specific biological triggers, including metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, toxins, and genetics.
- Alzheimer’s isn’t a single disease with one cause; it has distinct variations. Some cases stem from chronic inflammation, where the immune system remains in a constant state of activation. Others result from hormonal and nutrient deficiencies, or insulin resistance. Factors like toxin exposure, circulatory issues, and head injuries can also contribute to cognitive decline.
- When it faces ongoing threats it prioritizes survival over higher functions. This leads to the downsizing of neural connections, reducing cognitive ability to conserve energy. The brain isn’t simply failing – it’s deliberately shifting into a protective mode that, while meant for survival, leads to cognitive decline. Understanding this shift offers a different perspective. Instead of seeing Alzheimer’s as an unstoppable disease, it makes more sense to look at what’s forcing the brain into self-protection – and what can be done to reverse that process.
- A single pill can’t fix that. But without one to prescribe, doctors continue to tell patients there’s no way to prevent or reverse the disease, even as research shows otherwise.
- (ideal) By tailoring treatment to an individual’s unique biological markers, it addresses critical drivers like inflammation, insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies, chronic infections, and neurotoxic exposure
- Real-world cases show what’s possible. Nina, in her late forties, had no obvious symptoms, but her family history and genetic testing put her at risk. She followed the ReCODE protocol and saw significant improvements in cognitive function, scoring perfectly on memory tests. She hadn’t realized how much her brain function had already slipped until she got it back.
- Monitoring key biomarkers, such as blood sugar levels, insulin response, and inflammation markers, provides real-time insight into how the body reacts to lifestyle choices. This proactive approach helps identify potential health concerns before they develop into more serious problems.
- When glucose and insulin levels rise beyond the optimal range, it suggests the body is struggling to regulate sugar efficiently, indicating a need for dietary adjustments. Inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, can serve as indicators of persistent stress or hidden infections that may impact brain health.
- A decade-long study at the Karolinska Institute followed aging individuals who routinely monitored biomarkers such as glucose regulation and inflammatory response. The results revealed that those who modified their lifestyle based on biomarker feedback experienced a notable reduction in cognitive decline – approximately 40 percent lower than their counterparts who didn’t make such adjustments.
- detoxification and infection management alone aren’t enough. Protecting brain health requires a holistic approach that also prioritizes sleep quality, gut balance, and inflammation control.
quotes:
- This also includes the smoke from candles, especially paraffin candles, which emit numerous toxins such as benzene and toluene. Since the small (2.5 micron) particles of air pollution are particularly damaging, the use of N95 masks or P100 masks, fitted snugly and using straps both above and below the ears, is important. ???
- Carriers of the ApoE4 gene allele, which is the most common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, exhibit a reduction in cerebral glucose utilization as early as their third decade in similar regions of the brain as Alzheimer’s patients.18 These young ε4+ subjects show no symptoms of cognitive decline despite PET-FDG measurements demonstrating a 5 to 10 percent reduction in the brain regions associated with memory processing and learning. Brain glucose hypometabolism precedes cognitive decline decades before the first symptoms appear. While we lack definitive proof that this energy deficit causes Alzheimer’s, this chronic, progressive, brain fuel starvation contributes significantly to the onset of Alzheimer’s and offers an opportunity for intervention.
SOOO MANY NOTES AGH
(the book focused too much on diet in my opinion)
(and obvious things like sleep and stress and exercise was all very generic)
felt more like stats and background on the condition then guide on how to have a healthy brain
Despite the growing number of cases, the disease still isn’t detected early enough, and most people aren’t aware of ways to reduce their risk.
notes:
- While cases like Claudia’s are rare, and full recovery isn’t typical, her story highlights the potential of early intervention in slowing or even reversing cognitive decline.
- Alzheimer’s treatment can’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach
- Most people think of Alzheimer’s as an unavoidable consequence of aging, but that’s not entirely true. The disease often progresses silently for years before symptoms become noticeable, meaning there’s a critical window for early intervention. It’s a gradual cognitive disorder, with memory fading, reasoning weakening, and mental function declining—but this decline isn’t random. The brain doesn’t simply fail; it responds to stressors that shift it from a state of growth to one of retreat.
- research suggests it’s driven by specific biological triggers, including metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, toxins, and genetics.
- Alzheimer’s isn’t a single disease with one cause; it has distinct variations. Some cases stem from chronic inflammation, where the immune system remains in a constant state of activation. Others result from hormonal and nutrient deficiencies, or insulin resistance. Factors like toxin exposure, circulatory issues, and head injuries can also contribute to cognitive decline.
- When it faces ongoing threats it prioritizes survival over higher functions. This leads to the downsizing of neural connections, reducing cognitive ability to conserve energy. The brain isn’t simply failing – it’s deliberately shifting into a protective mode that, while meant for survival, leads to cognitive decline. Understanding this shift offers a different perspective. Instead of seeing Alzheimer’s as an unstoppable disease, it makes more sense to look at what’s forcing the brain into self-protection – and what can be done to reverse that process.
- A single pill can’t fix that. But without one to prescribe, doctors continue to tell patients there’s no way to prevent or reverse the disease, even as research shows otherwise.
- (ideal) By tailoring treatment to an individual’s unique biological markers, it addresses critical drivers like inflammation, insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies, chronic infections, and neurotoxic exposure
- Real-world cases show what’s possible. Nina, in her late forties, had no obvious symptoms, but her family history and genetic testing put her at risk. She followed the ReCODE protocol and saw significant improvements in cognitive function, scoring perfectly on memory tests. She hadn’t realized how much her brain function had already slipped until she got it back.
- Monitoring key biomarkers, such as blood sugar levels, insulin response, and inflammation markers, provides real-time insight into how the body reacts to lifestyle choices. This proactive approach helps identify potential health concerns before they develop into more serious problems.
- When glucose and insulin levels rise beyond the optimal range, it suggests the body is struggling to regulate sugar efficiently, indicating a need for dietary adjustments. Inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, can serve as indicators of persistent stress or hidden infections that may impact brain health.
- A decade-long study at the Karolinska Institute followed aging individuals who routinely monitored biomarkers such as glucose regulation and inflammatory response. The results revealed that those who modified their lifestyle based on biomarker feedback experienced a notable reduction in cognitive decline – approximately 40 percent lower than their counterparts who didn’t make such adjustments.
- detoxification and infection management alone aren’t enough. Protecting brain health requires a holistic approach that also prioritizes sleep quality, gut balance, and inflammation control.
quotes:
- This also includes the smoke from candles, especially paraffin candles, which emit numerous toxins such as benzene and toluene. Since the small (2.5 micron) particles of air pollution are particularly damaging, the use of N95 masks or P100 masks, fitted snugly and using straps both above and below the ears, is important. ???
- Carriers of the ApoE4 gene allele, which is the most common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, exhibit a reduction in cerebral glucose utilization as early as their third decade in similar regions of the brain as Alzheimer’s patients.18 These young ε4+ subjects show no symptoms of cognitive decline despite PET-FDG measurements demonstrating a 5 to 10 percent reduction in the brain regions associated with memory processing and learning. Brain glucose hypometabolism precedes cognitive decline decades before the first symptoms appear. While we lack definitive proof that this energy deficit causes Alzheimer’s, this chronic, progressive, brain fuel starvation contributes significantly to the onset of Alzheimer’s and offers an opportunity for intervention.
February 15, 2021
Absolutely life changing book. If you or anyone you love is suffering from cognitve decline, this provides hope and practical advice. Dementia and Alzheimer's can be slowed down and even reversed. This book will show you how. I also recommend Dr. Bredesen's previous book that provides more scientific background.
September 6, 2020
The latest and greatest from the top doc in the field. It is simplified as much as possible without losing the science, well organized and comprehensive. Everyone with Alzheimers in their family should see this.
July 21, 2021
Outstanding!
If you or someone in your family is concerned with Alzheimer's, this is the reference guide into how to understating and fight it!
All the aspects related to this disease out how to fight it are addressed.
I wish I had this book 8 years ago...
If you or someone in your family is concerned with Alzheimer's, this is the reference guide into how to understating and fight it!
All the aspects related to this disease out how to fight it are addressed.
I wish I had this book 8 years ago...
September 6, 2021
As a budding neurologist, this book is beyond encouraging. Sad to see how slow it is to be accepted mainstream though. Alas, as is the history with humans and revolutionary ideas. Highly recommend this book.
January 15, 2021
I didn't know so much could be done to reverse cognitive decline. Excellent book!
February 4, 2021
This is a must have book if anyone in your family has dementia or if you are APOE4 positive. I took so many notes reading this one. Actionable steps that have true results.
December 5, 2021
I’m onboard with anything that will help me avoid the scourge.
June 10, 2024
immediately and exclusively veered into crackpot dieting
April 24, 2023
Bredesen is an evolutionist. Guess that should not come as a surprise.
Despite viewing the evidence of a Creator in every Pietri dish, microscope slide or blood test, he fails to see or acknowledge that mankind is a created being, not the result of some interstellar accident. His repeated promotion of evolution throughout the book is disappointing at first, and then it becomes as annoying as a car alarm on a quiet afternoon.
Here is one instance...
On page 89, the third paragraph, the reader will find the following sentence: "For example, the ApoE4 gene first came on the scene around 7 million years ago, and approximately 25 percent of the population still carries this gene." Really? Who was there to document this?
What possible factual evidence could Bredesen have for this postulation?
Speculative, fictional, ridiculous statements like this, in my view, reduce the author's credibility.
This will not bother the many who accept evolution, however, for those of us who do not, these kinds of statements detract from the book.
Still, don't let this put you off.
For those who may be responsible for a loved one or for those who themselves are experiencing cognitive challenges, this book, the protocol, provides hope.
Bredesen puts forth that Alzheimer's results from many factors, a conclusion that should not be surprising, given the complexity of the human body. We live in a toxic world. Water, food and environment have all been degraded and poisoned in a variety of ways. Therefore, it takes a multifaceted approach, like the protocol, to produce positive outcomes.
In the text Bredesen does seem to confess that modern day "health care" is fixated on a one pill, pharma fix for Alzheimer's. And he concludes that not only is this fallacious, but the results to date on this path, have been proven to be ineffective and in some cases, have proven more debilitating. And despite the "no cure for Alzheimer's " mantra of the day, Bredesen concludes Alzheimer's can be slowed, stopped and even reversed. He claims that in a majority of documented cases for those utilizing this protocol, remarkable improvements have been achieved.
He also suggests that the protocol should be implemented when we are young; before the signs of decline are upon us. Alzheimer's is a slow moving, silent foe with diagnosis often coming at very late stages. Better to create your cognitive baseline early and learn how to monitor throughout your life.
This book offers the average person the information to take control of their health or make a positive impact on the health of a loved one. That alone is worth the read.
(As others have noted, there are no references accompanying the text. Yes, there are footnote numbers within the text, however one has to go to a specific website to view source material references. I found this very annoying, and it certainly is not convenient for the reader. Shame on whoever made this decision.)
I too would suggest reading this book and then lending it to your primary care physician. If after reading it, they balk at protocol implementation, look for another physician.
Finally, the medical industrial complex is very big business and as such, it lives for profit. Alzheimer's, like all challenges to "health care", presents an enormous opportunity for profiteering.
Is Bredesen one of these?
Difficult to say but visit the Apollo Health website and make your own conclusions.
Despite viewing the evidence of a Creator in every Pietri dish, microscope slide or blood test, he fails to see or acknowledge that mankind is a created being, not the result of some interstellar accident. His repeated promotion of evolution throughout the book is disappointing at first, and then it becomes as annoying as a car alarm on a quiet afternoon.
Here is one instance...
On page 89, the third paragraph, the reader will find the following sentence: "For example, the ApoE4 gene first came on the scene around 7 million years ago, and approximately 25 percent of the population still carries this gene." Really? Who was there to document this?
What possible factual evidence could Bredesen have for this postulation?
Speculative, fictional, ridiculous statements like this, in my view, reduce the author's credibility.
This will not bother the many who accept evolution, however, for those of us who do not, these kinds of statements detract from the book.
Still, don't let this put you off.
For those who may be responsible for a loved one or for those who themselves are experiencing cognitive challenges, this book, the protocol, provides hope.
Bredesen puts forth that Alzheimer's results from many factors, a conclusion that should not be surprising, given the complexity of the human body. We live in a toxic world. Water, food and environment have all been degraded and poisoned in a variety of ways. Therefore, it takes a multifaceted approach, like the protocol, to produce positive outcomes.
In the text Bredesen does seem to confess that modern day "health care" is fixated on a one pill, pharma fix for Alzheimer's. And he concludes that not only is this fallacious, but the results to date on this path, have been proven to be ineffective and in some cases, have proven more debilitating. And despite the "no cure for Alzheimer's " mantra of the day, Bredesen concludes Alzheimer's can be slowed, stopped and even reversed. He claims that in a majority of documented cases for those utilizing this protocol, remarkable improvements have been achieved.
He also suggests that the protocol should be implemented when we are young; before the signs of decline are upon us. Alzheimer's is a slow moving, silent foe with diagnosis often coming at very late stages. Better to create your cognitive baseline early and learn how to monitor throughout your life.
This book offers the average person the information to take control of their health or make a positive impact on the health of a loved one. That alone is worth the read.
(As others have noted, there are no references accompanying the text. Yes, there are footnote numbers within the text, however one has to go to a specific website to view source material references. I found this very annoying, and it certainly is not convenient for the reader. Shame on whoever made this decision.)
I too would suggest reading this book and then lending it to your primary care physician. If after reading it, they balk at protocol implementation, look for another physician.
Finally, the medical industrial complex is very big business and as such, it lives for profit. Alzheimer's, like all challenges to "health care", presents an enormous opportunity for profiteering.
Is Bredesen one of these?
Difficult to say but visit the Apollo Health website and make your own conclusions.
May 18, 2023
I'm not sure what to say about this book. Dr. Bredesen's conviction is that what we call Alzheimer's is actually "a protective response to a wide variety of insults to the brain: inflammation, insulin resistance, toxins, infections, and inadequate levels of nutrients, hormones, and growth factors." He looks at Alzheimer's as a group of multiple diseases, with different causes that we must ferret out in order to address the disease process, which he insists is reversible in most cases. That Alzheimer's takes on many forms makes sense to me, and also that there is not one strategy of treatment that will fit everyone.
This is an intriguing proposal but Dr. Bredesen gives only anecdotal reports and there are no resources listed for reference. He outlines some very complicated regimens that seem almost impossible to follow, however, also claims that they don’t have to be followed perfectly to get results. They do need to be followed over a long period of time; patience is primary.
Dr. Bredesen rejects most dairy, grain, and meat in our diets. He lists many supplements that may be helpful for different types of Alzheimers. Here in Utah, where nutritional supplements are a huge and largely unregulated industry, has left me skeptical of people pushing them.
All that being said, this book does offer some practical suggestions for keeping your brain young—Create you tribe: surround yourself with supportive people and close relationships that are healthy. Find your purpose. Never stop learning—take a class, learn a foreign language, learn to play a musical instrument, listen to music, do puzzles, dance! Do some brain training exercises, challenge your brain (take a different route, don’t rely on GPS on your phone.) Exercise. Get good rest and sleep. All these are great suggestions, not exactly earth-shattering, but good to keep at the forefront of our minds as we grow older and “settle in” to a rut, rather than keeping actively engaged with our world. This book gives hope, and a diagnostic protocol that can lead to a regimen that appears to help some people. Dr. Bredesen’s lack of credible statistics and data is a red flag to me, that he may have cherry-picked his patients. It still represents a formidable body of work, and is worth further study.
This is an intriguing proposal but Dr. Bredesen gives only anecdotal reports and there are no resources listed for reference. He outlines some very complicated regimens that seem almost impossible to follow, however, also claims that they don’t have to be followed perfectly to get results. They do need to be followed over a long period of time; patience is primary.
Dr. Bredesen rejects most dairy, grain, and meat in our diets. He lists many supplements that may be helpful for different types of Alzheimers. Here in Utah, where nutritional supplements are a huge and largely unregulated industry, has left me skeptical of people pushing them.
All that being said, this book does offer some practical suggestions for keeping your brain young—Create you tribe: surround yourself with supportive people and close relationships that are healthy. Find your purpose. Never stop learning—take a class, learn a foreign language, learn to play a musical instrument, listen to music, do puzzles, dance! Do some brain training exercises, challenge your brain (take a different route, don’t rely on GPS on your phone.) Exercise. Get good rest and sleep. All these are great suggestions, not exactly earth-shattering, but good to keep at the forefront of our minds as we grow older and “settle in” to a rut, rather than keeping actively engaged with our world. This book gives hope, and a diagnostic protocol that can lead to a regimen that appears to help some people. Dr. Bredesen’s lack of credible statistics and data is a red flag to me, that he may have cherry-picked his patients. It still represents a formidable body of work, and is worth further study.
January 21, 2025
The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline is a much different book regarding Alzheimer's than I've read in the past. Dr. Dale Bredesen shares the science behind his program that prevents and reverses Alzheimer's symptoms.
Bredsen's begins the book describing how medicine has been polarized by the dichotomy between reductionism and holism. Reductionism pervades how disease is diagnosed, treated, and prevented. Reductionism tries to reduce the cause of diseases to one magic, silver bullet, typically in the form of a pill that will generate huge revenues.
Holism, on the other hand, explores any and all options because diseases are typically the confluence of multiple factors. Bredesen's program is ReCODE for reversal of cognitive decline. Not only does ReCODE help prevent and reverse Alzheimer's, it helps enhance cognitive ability at every age. Bredesen shares stories of patients that provide hope for spreading his approach.
ReCODE focuses on nutrition, exercise, sleep, brain activities, and oral health. The information, data, and concepts are presented in an easy-to-understand format.
While on a long cross-country flight, I read this book and then I read Reversing Alzheimer's: The New Toolkit to Improve Cognition and Protect Brain Health by Dr. Heather Sandison. The Foreword is written by Dr. Dale Bredesen.
I highly recommend both books!
Bredsen's begins the book describing how medicine has been polarized by the dichotomy between reductionism and holism. Reductionism pervades how disease is diagnosed, treated, and prevented. Reductionism tries to reduce the cause of diseases to one magic, silver bullet, typically in the form of a pill that will generate huge revenues.
Holism, on the other hand, explores any and all options because diseases are typically the confluence of multiple factors. Bredesen's program is ReCODE for reversal of cognitive decline. Not only does ReCODE help prevent and reverse Alzheimer's, it helps enhance cognitive ability at every age. Bredesen shares stories of patients that provide hope for spreading his approach.
ReCODE focuses on nutrition, exercise, sleep, brain activities, and oral health. The information, data, and concepts are presented in an easy-to-understand format.
While on a long cross-country flight, I read this book and then I read Reversing Alzheimer's: The New Toolkit to Improve Cognition and Protect Brain Health by Dr. Heather Sandison. The Foreword is written by Dr. Dale Bredesen.
I highly recommend both books!
May 5, 2022
Desde que me llegó la oportunidad de leer este libro no estaba muy segura de si me apetecía leerlo o no, ya que es un tema un poco o bastante desconocido para mí. Al final, decidí darle una oportunidad, ya que es un tema que al final toca a muchas familias y de hecho, la mía es una de ellas, por lo que aquí estoy para realizar una pequeña reseña sobre este libro.
Al principio, he de decir que me costó bastante seguir con él, ya que muchas cosas no lograba entenderlas o no tenía muchas esperanzas en que pudiesen funcionar, pero vi conveniente el seguir con la lectura para ver que me deparaba.
Seguía sin estar muy metida dentro del tema, por lo que decidí ver reseñas de otras personas, incluso gente que había seguido el método que cuentan en este libro y que les había dado bastantes resultados, aunque siempre con algunas pegas, como que había ciertas cosas muy caras. Pero lo mejor de leer estas reseñas, es que había pacientes que habían mejorado de cierta manera y ya no se encontraban tan deprimidos. Y al seguir leyendo vi que no solo era un caso aislado, si no que mucha gente lo había llevado a la práctica y veían buenos resultados, además que decían que el libro solo tenía cosas con sentido y no burradas como te puedes encontrar en otros sitios.
No es un libro de los que suelo leer, pero me ha hecho aprender bastante de este tema que tan de cerca toca a mi familia. No se si lo llevaré a cabo porque al final lo veo complicado, pero da esperanzas a muchas familias que pueden tener familiares con esta horrible enfermedad de la que espero pronto saquen cura.
Al principio, he de decir que me costó bastante seguir con él, ya que muchas cosas no lograba entenderlas o no tenía muchas esperanzas en que pudiesen funcionar, pero vi conveniente el seguir con la lectura para ver que me deparaba.
Seguía sin estar muy metida dentro del tema, por lo que decidí ver reseñas de otras personas, incluso gente que había seguido el método que cuentan en este libro y que les había dado bastantes resultados, aunque siempre con algunas pegas, como que había ciertas cosas muy caras. Pero lo mejor de leer estas reseñas, es que había pacientes que habían mejorado de cierta manera y ya no se encontraban tan deprimidos. Y al seguir leyendo vi que no solo era un caso aislado, si no que mucha gente lo había llevado a la práctica y veían buenos resultados, además que decían que el libro solo tenía cosas con sentido y no burradas como te puedes encontrar en otros sitios.
No es un libro de los que suelo leer, pero me ha hecho aprender bastante de este tema que tan de cerca toca a mi familia. No se si lo llevaré a cabo porque al final lo veo complicado, pero da esperanzas a muchas familias que pueden tener familiares con esta horrible enfermedad de la que espero pronto saquen cura.
May 4, 2022
Empezaré explicando porque me decidí a leerlo y es básicamente porque me pareció relevante ver con mis propios ojos (sobre el papel) que no es estrictamente necesaria una medicación para poder curar o retrasar una enfermedad.
Mi futura profesión, la cual probablemente no conozcas pero no me extenderé, es la terapia ocupacional; uno de los abordajes que podré hacer desde ella es la ayuda a personas con demencia, como es el caso el alzhéimer (en el que se centra el libro en cuestión).
Me ha parecido interesante y lo guardaré sin duda para releerlo de nuevo cuando me sea necesario, de hecho como prácticamente todo lo puedo aplicar a mí misma, sin duda iré haciéndolo de manera progresiva.
Este libro te da las bases para una vida saludable, centrándose en datos y estadísticas que demuestran que muchas de las cosas a las que quizá no ponemos tanta atención, están en cierto modo relacionadas con la demencia.
Es quizá un mundo algo utópico si lo tomas al pie de la letra y en su totalidad, pero conforme vas leyendo te das cuenta de que hay pequeños cambios que no son tan utópicos y pueden retrasar la aparición de una demencia... Por lo que me ha parecido un gran punto de vista.
Mi futura profesión, la cual probablemente no conozcas pero no me extenderé, es la terapia ocupacional; uno de los abordajes que podré hacer desde ella es la ayuda a personas con demencia, como es el caso el alzhéimer (en el que se centra el libro en cuestión).
Me ha parecido interesante y lo guardaré sin duda para releerlo de nuevo cuando me sea necesario, de hecho como prácticamente todo lo puedo aplicar a mí misma, sin duda iré haciéndolo de manera progresiva.
Este libro te da las bases para una vida saludable, centrándose en datos y estadísticas que demuestran que muchas de las cosas a las que quizá no ponemos tanta atención, están en cierto modo relacionadas con la demencia.
Es quizá un mundo algo utópico si lo tomas al pie de la letra y en su totalidad, pero conforme vas leyendo te das cuenta de que hay pequeños cambios que no son tan utópicos y pueden retrasar la aparición de una demencia... Por lo que me ha parecido un gran punto de vista.
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March 6, 2025Dr. Bredesen takes a very in depth look at ways to reverse or prevent Alzheimers Disease.
His book is information dense. There are many supplements suggested for various risk factors as well as blood tests to take and tracking tools to order. There are lists of toxicities and a favored diet with lots of information about ketos.
I feel resistant to some of the suggestions. I like whole grains, I'm not sure I want to get my old fillings removed by a dentist trained in biohazard removal (even if I could find one), I am not ready to measure my blood sugar round the clock even for a short period of time.
But.....it is great to know what is out there and at some point I may be ready to go for it. There are others who may be more open and really see changes in their lives.
For now, I will stick with the more approachable suggestions about reasonable fasting between dinner and breakfast, not eating junk, minimizing toxic damage and all the preventative measures that feel approachable. I appreciate these reminders.
This is definitely the book for someone who is ready to pull all the levers they can to prevent dementia.
His book is information dense. There are many supplements suggested for various risk factors as well as blood tests to take and tracking tools to order. There are lists of toxicities and a favored diet with lots of information about ketos.
I feel resistant to some of the suggestions. I like whole grains, I'm not sure I want to get my old fillings removed by a dentist trained in biohazard removal (even if I could find one), I am not ready to measure my blood sugar round the clock even for a short period of time.
But.....it is great to know what is out there and at some point I may be ready to go for it. There are others who may be more open and really see changes in their lives.
For now, I will stick with the more approachable suggestions about reasonable fasting between dinner and breakfast, not eating junk, minimizing toxic damage and all the preventative measures that feel approachable. I appreciate these reminders.
This is definitely the book for someone who is ready to pull all the levers they can to prevent dementia.
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