Dr. Dale Bredesen is a neurologist who has been doing research on Alzheimer’s disease for over 30 years. In 2016 I heard Dr. Bredesen speak at the first Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine Grand Rounds about his program for reversing cognitive decline. This approach looks at the contributing factors for each person’s dementia or cognitive decline and intervenes in multiple ways to improve brain function. The approach Dr. Bredesen has developed after decades of research is a functional medicine program for Alzheimer’s disease, and it is the first approach that has actually been shown to reverse early dementia as well as cognitive decline.
I was so excited to discover there is actually a way to address this terrifying condition and give hope to people at risk for dementia. I knew I had to learn this approach. In 2017 I was part of the first training collaboration between the Institute for Functional Medicine and Dr. Bredesen to train practitioners in the ReCODE program.
The ReCODE program looks at genetic factors, lifestyle factors, toxin exposures, and nutritional and hormone deficiencies and, by addressing multiple contributors, can reverse early Alzheimer’s disease and help prevent cognitive decline. The approach, like all of functional medicine, is personalized.
The initial evaluation involves a full history, including family history, past traumas, infections, toxin exposures, medical conditions, medications, and symptoms. It also looks at lifestyle factors that contribute to cognitive decline, such as an unhealthy diet, physical and emotional stressors, lack of close relationships, inadequate movement/exercise, sleep problems, and spiritual and emotional issues. Advanced lab testing is an important part of the evaluation, helping elucidate genetic factors that can increase risk, nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances, cardiometabolic factors, and toxin exposures. The treatment component of the program involves supplementing deficient nutrients as well as (most importantly) addressing the lifestyle factors to allow healing to occur.
I am very excited to offer the ReCODE program, as well as a cognitive decline prevention program, in collaboration with several local health and lifestyle coaches who have a passion for helping people, particularly those with neurologic conditions.
To learn more about how ReCODE could help you or someone you care about, contact me to schedule a free consult.