One thing this and many other studies show is that consistency across all categories—a multi-modal approach—practiced daily is far more effective than doing it occasionally or focusing on only a few areas. The change, therefore, must be broad. A noteworthy side benefit is that heart disease shows comparable improvements, as it shares similar underlying pathologies. The referenced study even reported that “the onset of dementia in Alzheimer’s patients was slowed, stopped, and further reversed in a 20-week study.” That’s truly remarkable!
October 11, 2024
2. Tacking Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Multimodal Approach to Cognitive Health
Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are two major factors associated with cognitive impairment. Neuroinflammation is essentially a beneficial process that becomes harmful when overactivated. The brain’s normal repair mechanisms can, when inflammation goes too far, begin attacking its own cells, leading to neuronal loss. Oxidative stress occurs when excessive reactive free radical molecules damage cellular structures. Neuroinflammation is triggered by amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide complexes interacting with receptors on microglia and astrocyte cells, which are responsible for immune defense and neuronal repair. This interaction releases inflammatory chemokines, cytokines, and oxidative products that further damage neurons, contributing to the progression of cognitive decline.
Free radicals, or reactive oxygen species (ROS), result from an insufficient amount of antioxidants to neutralize them. The brain consumes about 20% of the body’s oxygen, making it especially vulnerable to oxidative stress. Nrf2 is a key regulatory molecule that controls when genes activate to produce antioxidants. When this molecule malfunctions or becomes suppressed, oxidative stress increases, leading to potential cellular damage and impaired brain function.
Therefore, our primary strategies involve reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. How this can be achieved through a multimodal approach will be the focus of discussion in the upcoming sections.