Brain Health

Dementia, a loss of brain function, can occur with a variety of diseases. One of these includes Alzheimer's Disease which affects memory, thinking and behavior and gradually gets worse as the disease progresses. FAIM has investigated various alternative treatments to help promote brain health.

Dementia, The Ketogenic Diet and Low Thyroid: Answering Your Health Questions

Mark Hyman, MD, and Dhru Purohit to discuss a range of topics, including Lewy body dementia, the ketogenic diet, why fried foods are not a healthy choice, low thyroid function, gut health, and much more.

The Brain: Do You Have Curious vs. Urgent Thinking?

Duke University found that people in a curious state of mind remembered things better the next day than those in an urgent state of mind. This is amazing because we have the power to shift our mindset!

Neuroplasticity

Ever feel like your brain is keeping you stuck? Neuroplasticity is equivalent to rewiring the brain. You can teach the brain to form new connections, to strengthen pathways that serve you and weaken pathways that don’t.

Neurogenesis: How to Change Your Brain

Within each of our brains there exists a population of neural stem cells which are continually replenished and can differentiate into brain neurons. Simply stated, we are all experiencing brain stem cell therapy every moment of our lives.

Uric Acid

Casey Means, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Levels, chatted with Dr. David Perlmutter on the discovery of how the elevation of uric acid in the body is a causative mechanism in the development of metabolic diseases, and one of the key links between obesity, diabetes, heart disease, neurologic diseases like dementia, ADHD, fatty liver disease, and more.

Smart Solutions for a Better Brain

Many people accept cognitive loss as a normal part of aging. But the truth is, “senior moments” – regardless of your age – are signs that your brain and body need additional support. With these researched strategies, you can optimize your brain, and overall health, while you continue to make memories that last a lifetime.

Thoughts Begin in the Gut

What happens when we start to lose our microbial workforce in the gut? The first symptom tends to be a decrease in sensory processing.

Your Brain Responds to a Walk in Nature

A new study found that a one-hour walk in nature decreased activity in a part of the brain called the amygdala – which translates to a better ability to deal with stress.

The Real Cause - and Cure - of Schizophrenia

Now, a new meta study looking at the effects of B-vitamins on schizophrenia shows us that niacin isn’t the only B-vitamin that can help these patients.

The Brain: An Exploration of the Neuroscience of Stress, Fear, Rest, and Peace

Join Dr. Zach Bush, Dr. Peter Cummings, and Dr. Kristen Willeumier for an exclusive discussion about The Brain. This webinar explores the neuroscience of stress and release, offering actionable strategies to live a more healthy, balanced life with less fear and more creativity.

Alzheimer's World Summit

30+ experts and world-class leaders discuss how help to prevent Alzheimer’s and slow the progression of the disease by offering holistic and complementary options from diet, mindset, and caregiver support.

Leaky Brain and the Blood-Brain Barrier

You may have heard of leaky gut, but have you heard of leaky brain?

Sometimes the immune barriers in the body break down, letting in pollutants, toxins, and other irritants that would normally be kept out. This can happen in the gut or the lungs and can also happen in the brain.

An Integrative Collaborative Care Model for People With Mental Illness and Physical Comorbidities

Lake's paper is a brief review of findings on common patterns of comorbidity in mental illness, followed by identification of limitations of conventional treatments, and potential applications of integrative medicine interventions. Advantages and challenges of integrative mental health care, collaborative models of care, review of research highlights of select integrative approaches, and comment on potential cost advantages are discussed.

Cognitive Decline and Dementia: Clinical Strategies and Treatment Application

Cognitive decline is a complicated process and it is important to realize that treatment must be personalized taking into account all aspects of the patient. By using all of the principles that Dr. Kharrazian outlines in this course it is possible to help patients achieve the most optimal outcomes.

Mental Health: The "Unpopular" Truth

NaturalHeatlh365 with Jonathan Landsman presents: "Mental Health: The Unpopular Truth" with special guest, Dr. Bob DeMaria - "America's Drugless Doctor."

NeuroRecover: New and Effective Therapy for Damaged Brains

The brain can be damaged in many ways including drugs, alcohol, tobacco, ADD/ADHD, autism, work burnout, prolonged stress, severe insomnia, PTSD and concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dr. Humiston has developed the NeuroRecover program which uses IV nutrition to bring the brain back into balance and address addiction more effectively than counseling alone.

Vagus Nerve Causing Gut Symptoms? 4 Vagus Exercises to Help Heal Your Gut

Is your brain causing your leaky gut? One of the ways brain dysfunction can contribute to leaky gut is through poor vagus nerve activity. The vagus nerve is a large nerve that sends communication back and forth between the organs and the brain. When the brain is in poor health it can inhibit vagal nerve activity, thus robbing the digestive tract of optimal function.

New and Effective Therapy for Damaged Brains

The great news and the purpose of this article is to present the science behind the use of intravenous NAD and amino acid combinations to assist the brain in the repair of these tissues damaged by drugs, stress and/or physical trauma. This is applicable for those suffering from addictions to psychiatric medications, drugs, tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and similarly prolonged brain stress.

New Research Proves You Can Completely Avoid Alzheimer's

Research shows metabolic failure (mitochondrial dysfunction) is an early and central event in Alzheimer’s. Metabolic interventions that normalize metabolic dysfunction may therefore be beneficial to prevent or reduce Alzheimer’s. Learn how to test your mitochondrial function.

How to Maintain Memory as You Age

As we celebrate and promote women aging well, here are some integrative approaches to maintaining your memory and cognition.

A Potential Breakthrough in Alzheimer's Disease

Exciting research shows a possible new treatment for Alzheimer's, ALS, Parkinson's and other neurological disorders. BMAA is a neurotoxin produced by blue-green algae which inserts itself into the amino acid chain replacing L-serine. Scientists have found supplementing with L-serine blocks the insertion of BMAA, stops protein misfolding, and prevents neuronal damage. In cases of ALS it slowed the progression of the disease by 85%.

Case Study Reveals How Cognitive Decline Can Be Reversed

Dr. Mercola does an analysis on Dr. Dale Bredesen's recent case report of 100 patients diagnosed with cognitive decline using the ReCODE protocol. It showed both subjective and objective improvements in all participants. The ReCODE protocol, which involves identifying the drivers of cognitive decline (such as pathogens, toxins and metabolic changes), then targeting those in a personalized program that includes dietary and lifestyle changes, allows your brain to create and maintain synapses again, thereby treating the root of the problem.

You Can Fix Your Brain

For anyone worried about any type of brain ailment, ranging from the chronic conditions to simple brain fog and fatigue, this essential guide covers the full spectrum of prevention to treatment. This book offers a step-by-step approach to improve cognitive function.

SOPMed Annual Conference 2019 San Diego, California

The Society of Progressive Medical Education (SOPMed) held it’s annual conference in San Diego, California. There was an incredible array of speakers covering a multitude of topics, including dental health, detoxification, cardiac health, a vision for the future of health care, improving animal health with ozone and fecal transplants, breast cancer prevention, healing the blood brain barrier, deuterium depleted water and curing chronic disease.

Emerging Approaches for Assessing Cognitive Impairment

New research shows the benefits of innovative new approaches for assessment of memory loss and other problems in cognitive functioning including quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), virtual reality tools, and measuring copper, zinc, iron and vitamin D levels in the blood.

Is NAD+ The Fountain of Youth?

Recent research suggests that scientists may be closer to finding the silver bullet to help us preserve our youth for longer. Called the “golden nucleotide” by some scientists, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) plays a central role in aging.

10 Signs of Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body and is used in over 300 different physiological processes. Unfortunately, magnesium is also one of the most pervasive deficiencies in our society today. Could the lack of magnesium be influencing your health negatively? This article breaks down the signs of a magnesium deficiency and the best ways to get more in your diet.

Lighting up the Brain: Photobiomodulation Meets Neurofeedback

In episode 14 of the Evolving Past Alzheimer's podcast, host Dr. Nate Bergman talks with Dr. Marvin Berman about two different and distinct technologies: Photobiomodulation and Neurofeedback. Dr. Berman explains how he connected Neurofeedback and Photobiomodulation in the development of a comprehensive treatment model.

Diet and Other Lifestyle Factors Reduce Alzheimer's Disease Risk

Positive findings of studies on diet in dementia are confounded by the fact that individuals who follow healthy dietary preferences also engage in other health-promoting behaviors that reduce risk of dementia, for example regular exercise and moderate alcohol consumption. These findings have led to recent studies on so-called ‘multi-modal’ interventions aimed at identifying specific combinations of lifestyle factors that play the most significant roles in preventing or delaying onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Datis Kharrazian: Why Isn't My Brain Working?

This podcast from Ultimate Health Podcast interviewing Datis Kharrazian, Ph.D., D.H.Sc., D.C., M.S., M.M.Sc., F.A.C.N., provides a very comprehensive overview of the many facets that affect brain health and what you can do to improve yours.

Metabolic Medicine: Poly-MVA

The outcome of a study done by Dr. James Forsythe showed that Poly-MVA is a safe (both orally/IV) and extremely effective supplement for support and palliative assistance in stage IV cancer patients, either with or without concomitant chemotherapy. The safety profile is excellent and there were no treatment related deaths or any significant adverse reactions or negative interactions with chemotherapy or hormonal treatments. The best responding tumors were: Prostate, Breast, Lung, Head/Neck, Colorectal, and Hematological. Results show an improved Overall Response Rate over historical controls. Other research has shown a benefit for neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s.

Canola Oil Increases Memory Loss

Think your cooking oil is safe and healthy? Canola oil producers claim that it’s the healthiest oil you can use, but science begs to differ. Unless significant weight gain and diminished memory are your idea of good health!

How Cannabidiol (CBD) Can Impact Your Health

Confused about the healing effects of hemp and marijuana? Learn about the differences between the cannabinoids THC and CBD and how cannabidiol (CBD) can impact so many diseases and imbalances in the body.

Know the Enemy: Identifying Dementia with Advanced Medical Imaging

Physicians can use a SPECT scan to measure blood flow through the brain. The location of where blood flow is diminished will determine if it is simply dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body Dementia, depression, or obsessive compulsive behavior.

Review of the 2018 A4M World Congress on Anti-aging and Aesthetic Medicine

The A4M Congress emphasized Brain Awakening at the 2018 Spring gathering. Topics included Alzheimer's, Cannabis, Autism, Hormones, Cancer, Regenerative Medicine, and Aesthetics. Read some presentation summaries.

The Metabolic Mind: Rethinking the Ketogenic Diet and Neurodegenerative Disease

Ketone bodies derived from fats represent an alternative energy source to restore brain metabolism. Our capacity to use ketones increases with age.

Forever Young: Maintaining a Youthful Brain to Reduce Your Risk of Dementia

Many things can impair memory: stress, parasites, urinary tract infections, Parkinson’s, and Lyme disease to mention a few. Dr. Smith talks about testing and therapy.

Should You Try a Ketogenic Diet?

The goal of the ketogenic diet is to shift the body away from using glucose, the preferred energy source, and into ketosis, or fat-burning mode. This is accomplished by drastically increasing fat and reducing carbohydrate and protein intake.

Feet, Forks, Fingers: Lifestyle as Medicine in the War on Alzheimer's

Dr. Katz believes the key to maintaining a healthy brain seems to be lifestyle – good diet that is mostly plants, no tobacco, plenty of exercise, adequate sleep, low stress, and a good supportive sense of community.

Steve's Story: Dr. Mary Newport's Personal Triumph Over Early Onset Alzheimer's

Dr. Newport became interested in dementia when her husband showed signs of early onset dementia in his 50’s. His response to coconut oil was remarkable. Learn about coconut oil and the magic of MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil.

How Sleep Affects Memory and Cognition

Sleep quality and quantity play an important role in the prevention and treatment of cognitive issues. Learn about sleep issues that affect brain health, sleep cycles, and how to improve your sleep.

An Army of 100 Trillion: Unleashing Your Body's Natural Defenses Against Alzheimer's and Dementia

We know for the most part, Alzheimer's is preventable – low carb diet, higher good fats, exercise, proper vitamin levels, managing stress and getting sleep. In addition to these, our health and our longevity, our ability to resist disease, including Alzheimer's is absolutely dependent upon the health of our gut bacteria.

Use It or Lose It: Reversing Alzheimer's with the TEAM Protocol

Dr. Fortanasce has developed the DEAR program for the treatment of mild Alzheimer's disease. D stands for changing one’s diet, E for changing one’s exercise, A for accentuating the brain’s reserve and R for rest and recovery. Learn more about Dr. Fortanasce's eight week program.

What Is A Ketogenic Diet?

Dr. Josh Axe describes what a ketogenic diet is, what is is not, and how it can work when nothing else does. He states that "medical studies are now proving that the ketogenic diet can help you lose weight, boost brain health, fight neurological disease, balance hormones, and do a whole lot more."

The Benefits of Rhodiola Rosia

Learn how Rhodiola addresses Alzheimer's and also helps the heart, protects against radiation, enhances the chemo therapy effect for cancer, protects bone marrow and liver, and gives more energy.

The Bredesen Protocol and Metabolic Profiling

Treating Alzheimer's requires a multifaceted approach. Dr. Dale Bredesen has determined three reasons the brain develops amyloid plaque and then tests to find out what are the "drivers." The protocol is developed for each individual patient.

Weed

CNN's award-winning chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a chief neurosurgeon, puts medical marijuana under the microscope. All three of CNN's current "Weed" documentaries compiled into one video.

Grain Brain

David Perlmutter, renowned neurologist, goes into great detail to educate the reader on the impact of wheat, sugar and carbs on the brain. He includes a 30-day plan to achieve proper brain health. Many people believe it is only unhealthy carbs that are devastating for the brain, but the facts...

Surprising Link Between Dementia and UTIs

The connection between urinary tract infections (UTIs) and dementia isn’t common knowledge among the majority of doctors and health care workers.If you are caring for elderly loved ones or friends, be on the lookout for changes in their behavior that could be indicative of an UTI. An imbalance of the gut bacteria can lead to recurring UTIs. Learn what to look for and how to address it. UTIs are not simply an annoyance. They can be life threatening.

Stop Alzheimer's Now!

Dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders are disease processes that can be prevented and successfully treated with programs using ketone therapy and diet. Learn how you can treat and even prevent dementia in your life before it is too late.

The Connection Between Glaucoma, Alzheimer's, and Diabetes

New research suggests it isn’t just Alzheimer’s that’s linked to diabetes and glaucoma. Less severe forms of dementia also could be a complication of diabetes. The eyes are so directly connected to the brain that many in the medical community believe they are an extension of the brain. The impact of diabetes on your eyes is now gaining even more attention. One group of researchers in India hypothesized that the eye disease glaucoma is actually diabetes of the brain.

Foods That Help Fight Alzheimer's

Major risk factors for Alzheimer’s include genetics, heart health, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, depression, diabetes and obesity. Eating a whole food, unprocessed diet also appears to reduce dementia risk. Supplements, exercise, meditation, and social activity can also help.

A New Fighting Chance: Silver Solution

Dr. Gordon Pedersen has put together a chronicle on the cutting edge ability of structured silver solution's ability to safely destroy bacteria, viruses and yeast. Learn the application of silver for many chronic and acute illnesses.

Brain Breakthrough!

No matter what you’ve been led to believe Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and cognitive decline are not a normal part of aging, and they are preventable. While prevention is always best of course, effective treatment for those who are already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline is important.

Hydrogen Water: Drink to Better Health

Is the effect of drinking hydrogen water too good to be true? Julian Whitaker, M.D., thought so at first. But the deeper he delved into the hundreds of scientific papers examining the effects of hydrogen therapy, also called molecular hydrogen or H2 therapy, on scores of health challenges, the more he became convinced this is a true scientific breakthrough.

Curcumin/Turmeric for Brain and Pain

Turmeric does more than give curry its bright color. This herb has been a revered remedy in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia, and in the past 15 years, nearly 6,500 scientific papers have been published on the therapeutic properties of turmeric and curcumin, its most active constituent. It turns out that curcumin is an exceptionally potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant with benefits for a wide variety of health concerns including Alzheimer's, cancer, digestive disorders, and pain relief.

The Forbidden Fat You Should Be Eating

Dietary fats are greatly misunderstood. Most people don’t know which are healthful and which are harmful. Of all the fats, saturated fats may be among the most misunderstood of all. They’re found in red and processed meats, dairy, and eggs. Find out why they are essential and actually good for you.

Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAP Syndrome or GAPS)

In order to help patients with autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD/ADD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, epilepsy and other so-called mental and neurological conditions, GAP Syndrome, we have to concentrate on treating the patient’s digestive system: we need to re-establish normal gut flora and heal and seal the damaged gut lining.

Inflammation-Aging Link Confirmed

Inflammation is vital to healing. The heat, tenderness, swelling and redness surrounding a wound show us that the body is marshaling its healing response. However, in many people, inflammation has escaped its local, temporary boundaries and is happening throughout the body, all the time.

Avoid the Metformin Bandwagon

What are the preferred natural alternatives to metformin? The botanical berberine stands out as the obvious number one alternative. Berberine is safer and equal to or superior to metformin. For example, for treatment of type-2 diabetes, insulin resistance and the high lipid levels resulting from insulin resistance, berberine is equal (in blood sugar and insulin resistance regulating effect) or superior (in lowering high lipids) to metformin. For heart disease Berberine has not been reported to cause low blood sugar, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, raise homocysteine levels, or increase the risk of heart attacks.

Innovations in Nitric Oxide Diagnostics and Therapeutics

It is well-documented that the most prevalent cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive disorders impacting healthcare are largely the result of the loss of available nitric oxide (NO) in the body. NO deficiency is the basis for endothelial dysfunction which underlies the development of these disorders that plague the population. Consequently, NO is considered the molecule that now offers the means for profoundly altering the disturbing trends in public health.

Colostrum: Nature's Perfect Food for Infants and Adults

Colostrum, the pre-milk substance that emerges from the mother's breast following the birth of a newborn, is nature's perfect first food. It is a mixture of immune and growth factors as well as important nutrients, all designed to activate newborn's immune system. Numerous studies show that colostrum and its components continue to exert important biological activities also when given to adults.

Important Links for Further Information Regarding Brain Issues

Recommendations from Dr. Mary Newport.

Alzheimer's Disease: What if There Was a Cure?

The first edition of Alzheimer's Disease: What if There Was a Cure? detailed Dr. Newport's discovery and use of medium-chain fatty acids (which act like alternative fuel in the Alzheimer's brain). In this updated and expanded version, Dr. Newport continues the story of her husband Steve's progress and provides the most recent research on Alzheimer's disease and fatty acid therapy.

Do Low-Fat Diets Cause Alzheimer's?

Many of us choose low-fat options to avoid gaining weight or prevent heart disease. Recent research indicates that these fears are unfounded and that eating low-fat foods could actually increase your risks of developing neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for PTSD and Brain Injuries

Ray Crallé of Crallé Physical Therapy and ORCCA Hyperbarics in South Florida is using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to help returning soldiers who suffer from PTSD and brain injuries.

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia, a loss of brain function, can occur with a variety of diseases. One of these includes Alzheimer's Disease which affects memory, thinking and behavior and gradually gets worse as the disease progresses.

Making New Connections: The Gift of Neuroplasticity

David Perlmutter describes neuroplasticity and the ability of the brain to change and reorganize itself and its function.

Conquering Alzheimer's with Coconut Ketones

Can Alzheimer's be cured? The program outlined in this book by Dr. Bruce Fife is designed to provide the brain with all the nutrients necessary to quiet chronic inflammation, stop free-radical destruction, energize the brain cells, and stimulate repair and growth of new brain cells; thus allowing the brain to heal itself. With coconut ketones and a proper diet Alzheimer's can be conquered.

Boost Your Brainpower Now

There are three main factors recognized to impair the aging brain: degenerative dementias such as Alzheimer's disease; vascular dementias due to clogged arteries and strokes; and so-called normal, agerelated cognitive decline. But this trio of threats does not mean that you are doomed to suffer from impaired ability to think, remember, and solve problems.

Pablo Opazo: Fatty Acids and the Brain

Chilean agronomist Pablo Opazo, who has lived more than a decade of extremely challenging tribulations related to the health of his children, has accumulated a considerable amount of specific health related knowledge. Of particular concern to Pablo Opazo is the use of methylphenidate (well known by its brand name Ritalin) to treat children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. Opazo uses fatty acids to treat the brain.

What If There was a Cure for Alzheimer's Disease and No One Knew?

Dr. Mary Newport's husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at much too early an age. After much research, Dr. Newport reports on her experience with how MCTs and coconut oil have helped her husband in his return to health.

Brain, Mind and Healing Symposium

The symposium covered an array of topics including an update on the Parkinson's study referenced in FAIM's research section on this web site. Also, Dr. Radin reviewed an experiment that demonstrated aspects of nonlocal consciousness which suggests we have the ability to see into the future.

The Dangers of the Digital Era

Dr. Susan Lark explores how electropollution (including cell phone exposure) affects us. It has been linked to such diseases as leukemia, brain tumors, inner ear tumors, Lou Gehrig's disease, Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer, accelerated aging, and depression.