Dementia: Is There Anything We Can Do?A randomized, controlled clinical trial just published in June 2024 by Dr. Dean Ornish and colleagues demonstrated for the first time that an intensive lifestyle intervention, without drugs, significantly improved cognition and function in many patients with early dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Per Dr. Ornish, “We do not yet have a cure for Alzheimer’s, but as the scientific community continues to pursue all avenues to identify potential treatments, we are now able to offer an improved quality of life to many people suffering from this terrible disease.” The trial randomly assigned 51 men and women with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairement or early Alzheimer’s dementia to two groups: an intensive lifestyle intervention group with no Rx, or a usual care group. The intensive lifestyle program consisted of a whole-food, minimally processed plant-based diet; moderate aerobic exercise and strength training; stress management including meditation, stretching, imagery and breathing; and support groups for patients and their partners. Meals were also provided to participants and their partners. The findings were remarkable. 71% of the intervention group improved, with some participants regaining key quality of life functions such as doing their finances on their own again, or reading a book. The study noted that Alzheimer’s disease is the 5th leading cause of death among Americans aged 65 and older. In addition to its physical and emotional devastation, it is a very expensive illness, with an annual cost of more than $345 billion. By 2050, costs are projected to exceed $1.1 trillion annually. We can intervene in early Alzheimer’s, or better yet, prevent dementia through diet and lifestyle changes. We may not all have access to the intensive interventions that were done in Dr. Ornish’s study (yet), but here are some simple steps to follow! 9 Steps You Can Take to Ward Off Dementia**from Dr. Ornish.com Stay physically active. Staying active with walking, bicycling, gardening, tai chi, yoga and other exercise of about 30 minutes a day will nourish the brain with active blood flow, and encourage new brain cell growth. Follow a brain-healthy/heart-healthy diet. Limit the amount of sugar and saturated fats you eat (saturated fats are mainly from animal-based foods like meat, eggs and dairy). Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Stop smoking. Maintain a healthy weight for you. Cultivate your social connections. Take a class at the local library or community college, volunteer, or just meet with friends. Stay mentally active. Exercise your brain on a daily basis. Engage in mentally challenging work or other activities, like learning a foreign language, puzzles or games with friends and family. Something challenging, but not TOO challenging where you will get frustrated and give up. Get more quality sleep. Try for at least seven to eight hours a night. If you need help, free guided meditation resources are available on You Tube or on smart phones apps, like “Insight Timer.” Limit alcohol consumption or better yet, cut it out entirely. No amount of alcohol is safe - per recent research, the risks of cancer, dementia and other illness significantly increase. Protect your head. Buckle your seat belt, wear your helmet when participating in sports, and “fall-proof” your home. Make sure floors are uncluttered, remove or tack down all area rugs, avoid using slippery wax on floors, and slip-proof the tub. Make sure the bath mat has a nonslip bottom and remove electrical or telephone cords from traffic areas.
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