Is it possible to reverse Alzheimer’s, as a new documentary suggests? | Health News

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Two people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s claim to have conquered the disease through simple lifestyle changes, sparking hope for millions of sufferers worldwide. Dementia and Alzheimer’s have been the leading killers in the UK for the last decade, accounting for 11.4% of deaths in 2022. While new drugs can slow the disease’s progression, emerging evidence suggests that integrating a healthy lifestyle can potentially reverse symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease can be categorized into familial and sporadic subgroups, with the majority of patients falling into the sporadic category due to environmental, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors. This has led researchers to focus on preventative measures and healthy living as the most effective approach to tackling Alzheimer’s.

Cici Zerbe and Simon Nicholls, two individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, have shared their remarkable journey of overcoming the disease through lifestyle changes in a CNN documentary titled “The Last Alzheimer’s Patient.” Zerbe experienced a reversal of symptoms after participating in a clinical trial in the US, which explores the impact of intensive lifestyle modifications on mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.

The lifestyle changes adopted by Zerbe and Nicholls include switching to a plant-based diet, engaging in regular exercise, attending group support sessions, practicing yoga, and meditation. Zerbe reported feeling significantly better than before participating in the trial five years ago when she was initially diagnosed with the disease.

Nicholls, who carries two copies of a gene variant known as ApoE4, which significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer’s, also saw remarkable improvements in his symptoms after embracing healthy lifestyle changes. Approximately 25% of the population carries at least one copy of the ApoE4 gene variant, with 5% carrying two copies, making it the greatest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

Nicholls emphasized the importance of physical activity and dietary modifications in his journey towards reversing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. By incorporating regular exercise, including strength training, walking, and cycling, along with dietary changes such as eliminating sugar, alcohol, and processed foods in favor of the Mediterranean diet, Nicholls witnessed significant improvements in his health markers.

The Mediterranean diet, rich in antioxidants, has been shown to protect brain cells from damage and maintain cognitive skills. Studies have indicated that adhering to a Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of dementia by 23%, highlighting the potential benefits of dietary interventions in cognitive health.

In addition to dietary changes, Nicholls focused on improving his sleep patterns, as sleep deprivation has been linked to Alzheimer’s risk. While the mechanism of how sleep affects dementia risk is still under investigation, maintaining good sleep hygiene is considered crucial for overall brain health.

While the results shared by Zerbe and Nicholls are promising, it is essential to interpret them with caution, as they represent individual experiences within a clinical trial. Further research is needed to validate the impact of lifestyle changes on Alzheimer’s progression. However, the growing focus on lifestyle interventions in cognitive health offers hope for individuals seeking alternative approaches to managing Alzheimer’s.

The combination of new disease-modifying drugs and lifestyle modifications may hold the key to reducing symptoms and slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s, offering a glimmer of hope for those affected by this devastating disease. As the scientific community continues to explore the benefits of lifestyle changes in cognitive health, the potential for reversing Alzheimer’s through simple lifestyle adjustments remains a beacon of hope for the future.