https://youtube.com/live/27etnL4lTL8?is=7v84qpmKRBb_w1KN
This video features a discussion between Dr. Mobeen Syed and Dr. Josh Helman regarding the possibility of preventing and reversing Alzheimer’s disease through lifestyle changes and functional medicine.
Key Takeaways:
Lifestyle Habits to Reduce Dementia Risk: Starts at 24:00
Alzheimer’s Reversibility: Dr. Helman asserts that Alzheimer’s is a complex condition with 30–200 potential root causes, and it is indeed preventable and reversible when these underlying factors are addressed (3:26–4:38).
The Power of Sleep: The most significant risk factor identified is a lack of deep N3 sleep. Deep sleep is essential for the brain to clear out amyloid plaques and consolidate memory. Risk increases by 22% for every percentage of N3 sleep lost (9:19–10:37).
Lifestyle & Diet: Patients are advised to avoid processed foods high in salt, oil, and sugar to prevent vascular damage and inflammation. Incorporating exercise is crucial for releasing BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which supports new neuron growth (12:02–13:02, 24:09–25:12).
Emerging Protocols: Dr. Helman discusses a multi-layered approach, including:
Anti-Galectin-3 therapy: A compassionate-use FDA-approved drug used to reduce brain inflammation (20:07–21:22).
Total Plasma Exchange: A form of dialysis used to remove toxins from the blood (22:06–22:28).
Sauna therapy: Helps stimulate heat shock proteins and aids in detoxification (26:40–27:26).
Underlying Factors: The discussion highlights that chronic infections, toxins (heavy metals, plastics), and metabolic issues like type 2 (or “type 3”) diabetes contribute significantly to the disease’s progression (13:17–14:48, 17:35–18:09).
Dr. Helman emphasizes the importance of consulting an expert to avoid “stirring the pot” of toxins or infections improperly. He encourages viewers to prioritize sleep, manage inflammation, and take control of their metabolic health to reduce their risk profile, regardless of genetic predispositions like APOE4 (35:00–36:00).