MAILBAG: Slow Dementia Down with THIS “Sugar Fix”
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 6, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
My wife has recently begun showing signs of dementia. Her doctor has put her on medicine to try and “slow the progression” but, if anything, she seems like she’s just getting worse. Is there anything we can do?
–Martin from Durham, North Carolina
Hi Martin,
Some medications claim to slow dementia’s progression. But most doctors know that they do little to help in reality.
The most promising research I’ve seen in this area has led to the theory that dementia is a form of brain diabetes. Some experts are even calling dementia “Diabetes, Type III.”
This link is likely why we’ve seen some promising results in studies that have put dementia patients on a ketogenic (keto) diet.
On the keto diet, you drastically reduce the sugar and carbohydrates you eat. Eventually, your body switches to burning ketones instead of glucose (sugar) for fuel.
Low-carb diets have been successfully used to help improve symptoms in folks with brain problems. (For example, kids with seizures often respond very well when placed on a keto diet.)
But the truth is, the keto diet can be challenging to follow for some folks. And, of course, you need a willing participant, which may or may not be the situation in your case.
You can, however, sneak extra ketones into someone’s diet by using medium-chain fatty acids (which are really ketone bodies). A coconut oil supplement or eating the oil directly will do the trick.
But don’t stop there.
There are some other natural interventions that can help support better brain health.:
- Creatine is an amino acid that’s been shown to improve cognition and communication in folks with brain injuries, plus it supports energy production.
- Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid and antioxidant that’s vital for learning and memory in adults.
- CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant and helps to provide energy throughout the body.
- Antioxidants fight free radicals and may reverse some memory loss. Vitamins A and C and phytonutrients like polyphenols and carotenes are natural antioxidants.
- Herbs such as curcumin and bacopa decrease inflammation and act as powerful antioxidants.
P.S. A study found that older folks who regularly ate THESE berries had significant improvements in their memory. Click here for all the details.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...