Two Alzheimer’s sufferers are making headlines for claiming to have beaten back the deadly disease through simple lifestyle changes. Cici Zerbe and Simon Nicholls are participants in a clinical trial led by Dr. Dean Ornish, exploring the impacts of significant lifestyle changes on early dementia and mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s Disease.
Zerbe, who switched to a plant-based diet and adopted a serious exercise and wellness routine, reported feeling “much better” and credited meditation, exercise, and diet for the reversal of her symptoms. Similarly, Nicholls, who possesses two copies of the APOE4 gene known to increase Alzheimer’s risk, saw dramatic improvements after making lifestyle changes.
Nicholls, motivated by wanting to be there for his young children in the future, made significant changes to his diet and exercise routine. He eliminated sugar and ultra-processed foods, switched to a plant-based diet, and incorporated strength training and cardio into his daily routine. In just over a year, his biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disappeared, impressing doctors overseeing his case.
The regimen also included a prescription for tirzepatide, found in medications approved by the FDA for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Nicholls’ dedication to his new lifestyle was evident in his commitment to daily exercise and healthy eating habits.
Dr. Richard Isaacson, the preventative neurologist overseeing Nicholls’ case, was surprised by the rapid changes in his biomarkers and physical appearance. Nicholls lost 21 pounds, mostly fat, and gained muscle within nine weeks of starting the program. Dr. Isaacson emphasized the excitement surrounding the promising results observed in Nicholls and other patients in the research.
While Dr. Isaacson refrains from using the term “reverse” when discussing Alzheimer’s, he acknowledges the positive outcomes seen in patients like Nicholls. The results are considered extremely exciting and offer hope for those looking to manage or potentially improve their symptoms through lifestyle changes.
The stories of Zerbe and Nicholls serve as inspiration for others battling Alzheimer’s and highlight the importance of adopting healthy habits to potentially slow down the progression of the disease. With ongoing research and clinical trials exploring the impact of lifestyle changes on Alzheimer’s, there is hope for finding new ways to manage and potentially treat this devastating condition.