A recent study out of the UCLA is now suggesting that memory loss can be reversed. A small study involving 10 participants were all given individualized programs to reverse memory loss due to Alzheimer’s. Nine of the participants in the study showed subjective or objective improvements in memory even within the first three to six months of treatment. Of the ten participants, six already had to discontinue working at the time they entered the study due to problems with performance. Following the interventions in the study, all these participants were able to return to work with sustained improvements over time. One of the participants who had been diagnosed with late-stage Alzheimer’s did not improve which may indicate that early detection is key when it comes to this type of intensive therapy.

Although this is a small study, it is the first of its kind to show reversible memory loss. The study used a 36-point therapeutic program that involved diet changes, brain stimulation, exercise, sleep, specific pharmaceuticals and vitamins, and other components to effect brain chemistry. It encompassed a holistic approach when tackling aspects of this disease.

This approach was formulated from the lack of success from years of treatment protocols using only single drugs. No one single drug has slowed or stopped the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The goal with this new approach was to use additive therapies addressing multiple targets and aspects of Alzheimer’s disease in order to get a synergistic effect.

Aspects of this “Bredesen’s program” involved the following: eliminating carbohydrates, gluten, processed foods, increasing consumption of vegetables, fruits and non-farmed fish, meditating twice a day, yoga for stress reduction, sleeping 7-8 hours per night while being awake from 4am-5am, supplementing with melatonin, methylcobalamin, vitamin D3, fish oil, and coenzyme Q10 daily, focusing on proper oral hygiene, hormone replacement therapy, 12 hour fasting, and 4-6 days a week of at least 30min of exercise.

This protocol needs further investigation by testing it in again with a larger subset of participants with Alzheimer’s disease. Current findings are promising with the nine participants experiencing memory loss reversal.

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/memory-loss-associated-with-alzheimers-reversed-for-first-time