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Diseases of the Brain: Prevention

A research topic guide covering neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's, dementia, epilepsy, Huntington's, and Parkinson's.

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Research & Reference

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Perspectives

The End of Alzheimer's

The instant New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller A groundbreaking plan to prevent and reverse Alzheimer's Disease that fundamentally changes how we understand cognitive decline.   Everyone knows someone who has survived cancer, but until now no one knows anyone who has survived Alzheimer's Disease.    In this paradigm shifting book, Dale Bredesen, MD, offers real hope to anyone looking to prevent and even reverse Alzheimer's Disease and cognitive decline.  Revealing that AD is not one condition, as it is currently treated, but three, The End of Alzheimer's outlines 36 metabolic factors (micronutrients, hormone levels, sleep) that can trigger "downsizing" in the brain. The protocol shows us how to rebalance these factors using lifestyle modifications like taking B12, eliminating gluten, or improving oral hygiene.   The results are impressive. Of the first ten patients on the protocol, nine displayed significant improvement with 3-6 months; since then the protocol has yielded similar results with hundreds more. Now, The End of Alzheimer's brings new hope to a broad audience of patients, caregivers, physicians, and treatment centers with a fascinating look inside the science and a complete step-by-step plan that fundamentally changes how we treat and even think about AD.

The Longevity Diet

The internationally renowned, clinically tested, revolutionary diet program to lose weight, fight disease, and live a longer, healthier life.   Can what you eat determine how long, and how well, you live? The clinically proven answer is yes, and The Longevity Diet is easier to follow than you'd think. The culmination of 25 years of research on aging, nutrition, and disease across the globe, this unique program lays out a simple solution to living to a healthy old age through nutrition. The key is combining the healthy everyday eating plan the book outlines, with the scientifically engineered fasting-mimicking diet, or FMD; the FMD, done just 3-4 times a year, does away with the misery and starvation most of us experience while fasting, allowing you to reap all the beneficial health effects of a restrictive diet, while avoiding negative stressors, like low energy and sleeplessness. Valter Longo, director of the Longevity Institute at USC and the Program on Longevity and Cancer at IFOM in Milan, designed the FMD after making a series of remarkable discoveries in mice, then in humans, indicating that specific diets can activate stem cells and promote regeneration and rejuvenation in multiple organs to significantly reduce risk for diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. Longo's simple pescatarian daily eating plan and the periodic fasting-mimicking techniques can both yield impressive results. Low in proteins and sugars and rich in healthy fats and plant-based foods, The Longevity Diet is proven to help you:       * Lose weight and reduce abdominal fat    * Extend your healthy lifespan with simple everyday changes    * Prevent age-related muscle and bone loss    * Build your resistance to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's and cancer   Longo's healthy, life span-extending program is based on an easy-to-adopt pescatarian plan along with the fasting-mimicking diet no more than 4 times a year, just 5 days at a time. Including 30 easy recipes for an everyday diet based on Longo's five pillars of longevity, The Longevity Diet is the key to living a longer, healthier, more fulfilled life.

Beyond Alzheimer's

This groundbreaking explanation of the causes and treatment of Alzheimer's disease rests on the author's belief that Alzheimer's is merely one of several types of dementia--and that in most cases dementia is avoidable. He further explains that the various forms of dementia may well be different manifestations of the same set of underlying problems. Rather than being the inevitable result of aging, the author asserts dementia is primarily the result of bad diet, stress, lack of mental and physical exercise, and other poor lifestyle choices. Dr. Mendelson begins his book with a straightforward explanation of how the brain ages--physically, structurally, and chemically. He then explains the various methods for diagnosing dementia, as well as how it can often be misdiagnosed if a person has suffered a head injury or stroke, has a hormone or vitamin deficiency, or is taking a medication whose side effects can mimic dementia. The remainder of the book is prescriptive, and offers hope to both Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers by recommending scientifically tested herbs, vitamins and nutraceuticals that can help mitigate or delay the effects of dementia. Finally, the author suggests lifestyle changes that might help a person avoid dementia altogether, commonsense health tips that include steps to prevent heart disease and diabetes, treatment for sleep apnea, maintaining an ideal body weight, and even engaging in a more active social life.

Memory Makeover

Lifestyle treatments to treat, prevent, and reverse cognitive decline.

The Aging Brain

While growing older is inevitable, many of the troubles we associate with aging--including dementia, disability, and an increased dependence on others--are not. The choices we make now can help us to maintain our vitality, a sharp mind, and our independence as we age. Filled with simple, everyday actions we can take to avoid disease, promote vitality, and prevent dementia and late onset Alzheimer's, The Aging Brain is an easy-to-use guide to maintaining brain and body health throughout our lives. Based on solid, up-to-date scientific research, the interventions explained in this book not only prevent progression toward dementia even in those who have already shown mild cognitive impairment, they also reduce disability and depression and keep people living independently longer than those who do not practice these methods. For anyone hoping to slow the aging process, as well as anyone who acts as a caregiver to someone at risk of or already beginning to suffer from dementia and other age-related diseases, this book offers a hopeful, healthy way forward.

The Psychobiotic Revolution

"A friendly, interesting, and up-to-date read on the science of the microbiome and the brain" - Psychology Today "Compelling, engaging, and informative, this book teaches us why microbes may affect all of our decisions" - Jack Gilbert Ph.D., co-author of Dirt Is Good MEET YOUR MICROBES Written by the leading researchers in the field, this information-rich guide to improving your mood explains how gut health drives psychological well-being, and how depression and anxiety can be relieved by adjusting your intestinal bacteria. This groundbreaking book explains the revolutionary new science of psychobiotics and the discovery that your brain health and state of mind are intimately connected to your microbiome, that four-pound population of microbes living inside your intestines. Leading medical researchers John F. Cryan and Ted Dinan, working with veteran journalist Scott C. Anderson, explain how common mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety, can be improved by caring for the intestinal microbiome. Science is proving that a healthy gut means a healthy mind -- and this book details the steps you can take to change your mood and improve your life by nurturing your microbiome.

Brain Rules for Aging Well

How come I can never find my keys? Why don't I sleep as well as I used to? Why do my friends keep repeating the same stories? What can I do to keep my brain sharp? Scientists know. Brain Rules for Aging Well, by developmental molecular biologist Dr. John Medina, gives you the facts, and the prescription to age well, in his signature engaging style. With so many discoveries over the years, science is literally changing our minds about the optimal care and feeding of the brain. All of it is captivating. A great deal of it is unexpected. In his New York Times best seller Brain Rules, Medina showed us how our brains really work, and why we ought to redesign our workplaces and schools to match. In Brain Rules for Baby, he gave parents the brain science they need to know to raise happy, smart, moral kids. Now, in Brain Rules for Aging Well, Medina shares how you can make the most of the years you have left. In a book destined to be a classic on aging, Medina's fascinating stories and infectious sense of humor breathe life into the science. Brain Rules for Aging Well is organized into four sections, each laying out familiar problems with surprising solutions. First up, the social brain, in which topics ranging from relationships to happiness and gullibility illustrate how our emotions change with age. The second section focuses on the thinking brain, explaining how working memory and executive function change with time. The third section is all about your body: how certain kinds of exercise, diets, and sleep can slow the decline of aging. Each section is sprinkled with practical advice, for example, the fascinating benefits of dancing, and the brain science behind each intervention. The final section is about the future. Your future. Medina connects all the chapters into a plan for maintaining your brain health. You may already be experiencing the sometimes-unpleasant effects of the aging process. Or you may be deeply concerned about your loved ones who are. Either way, Brain Rules for Aging Well is for you.

Power Foods for the Brain

Strengthen your memory with New York Times bestselling author Dr. Neal Barnard's simple 3-step plan to protecting your brain with your diet. Could your breakfast or lunch be harming your memory? Are you missing out on the foods that could prevent Alzheimer's disease? Everyone knows good nutrition supports your overall health, but few realize that certain foods-power foods-can protect your brain and optimize its function, and even dramatically reduce your risk of Alzheimer's Disease. Now, New York Times bestselling author, clinical researcher and health advocate Dr. Neal Barnard has gathered the most up-to-date research and created a groundbreaking program that can strengthen your memory and protect your brain's health. In this effective 3-step plan Dr. Barnard reveals which foods to increase in your diet and which to avoid, and shows you specific exercises and supplements that can make a difference. It will not only help boost brain health, but it can also reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and other less serious malfunctions such as low energy, poor sleep patterns, irritability, and lack of focus. You'll discover:   The best foods to increase cognitive function Dairy products and meats-the dangers they may pose to your memory The surprising roles alcohol and caffeine play in Alzheimer's risk The latest research on toxic metals, like aluminum found in cookware, soda cans, and common antacids. Plus a detailed menu plan, recipes and time-saving kitchen tips

The Ketogenic Diet: Treatment for Epilepsy

One in a hundred children has epilepsy, & one in five has seizures resistant to medications. Even when seizures are fairly well under control, medication may affect children's alertness & mental clarity, impairing their ability to learn & reach their full potential. Many parents are looking beyond currently available medications for a satisfying solution to seizure treatment. The Ketogenic Diet is the only book devoted exclusively to this treatment, proven to improve seizure control in nearly three-quarters of the children who try it. It includes all the facts about the ketogenic diet, numerous quotes from parents showing what the experience is really like, & dozens of clear, tested sample recipes. This completely revised & updated third edition includes: New data from clinical & laboratory studies; A clearer understanding of the best approaches to helping children; & their families cope with the limitations & restrictions of the diet, based on experience with hundreds of new patients; Feedback & dialogue from many sources, including neurologists, dietitians & parents; New & improved menus, including some developed by professional chefs whose children were on the diet; Revised instructions for calculating & managing the diet on a day-to-day basis that reflect the advice of modern dietitians. There is not another book on the market like this invaluable tool for parents of the 1 to 2% of all children who have epilepsy.