Alzheimer's patients say they've reversed disease with simple changes

In an interview on CNN 's ' The Last Alzheimer's Patient, ' Zerbe expressed significant improvement, stating she's 'much better' since adopting the program

Simon Nicholls, another participant, shared a similar journey. Despite carrying two copies of the APOE4 gene, which heightens Alzheimer's risk, Nicholls experienced a remarkable turnaround after lifestyle changes

The study, set to be published in June 2024 in 'Alzheimer's Research & Therapy,' explores the effects of intensive lifestyle changes on mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer's Disease.

Another participant, Simon Nicholls, 55, shared a similar journey to Zerbe .

Despite carrying two copies of the APOE4 gene, which heightens Alzheimer's risk, Nicholls experienced a remarkable turnaround after lifestyle changes. 

'I was very worried,' Nicholls told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta in the documentary 'The Last Alzheimer's Patient.' 

'I have a three-year-old son and an eight-year-old son. It's really important for me, as I get older, to try and be there for them in the future,' he said. 

'There are many [changes] in lifestyle you can do to hopefully push the disease backwards and give yourself more time, which is all we need until we find a cure.'

Nicholls emphasized the importance of preventative measures, having witnessed first-hand the consequences of heart diseases and dementia within his own family. 

'My whole family had endless heart attacks, resulting in my grandfather on my mother's side dying around age 50,' he told CNN. 'My mother had three heart attacks, the first at age 50, then a triple bypass before she went on to develop dementia.' 

'Sadly, my mum passed away from what we think is Alzheimer's in her 70s,' Nicholls said. 'For the last 10 years of her life, she just sat in a chair, rocking, while on about 14 medications. I'd much rather have a longer health span and then just go quickly.' 

Preventive neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson, who oversaw Nicholls' case, was astonished by the disappearance of telltale Alzheimer's biomarkers in just 14 months.

When asked specifically about the factors that helped 'reverse' the Alzheimer's symptoms, she confidently credited the program, meditation, diet, and exercise

Preventive neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson, who oversaw Nicholls' case, was astonished by the disappearance of telltale Alzheimer's biomarkers in just 14 months

Nicholls emphasized the importance of preventative measures, having witnessed first-hand the consequences of heart diseases and dementia within his own family

'Simon was on a mission, as if the Grim Reaper was peering over his shoulder. He was going to kick ass and take names,' he said to CNN.

Nicholls' initial intervention involved prescribing tirzepatide, an ingredient in medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound.

This injectable drug suppresses appetite by stimulating hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.

At the same time, Nicholls was urged to intensify his physical exercise routine - including the incorporation of strength training three times weekly and dedicating 45 to 60 minutes daily to zone 2 exercise.

He began a routine of brisk walking, rucking, jogging, or cycling at 60 percent to 70 percent of heart rate, became a staple of his mornings.

'I love going for a walk every morning at sunrise for an hour and a half with a podcast. I get in 10,000 steps or more every day. I'm very consistent,' he said. 'I also do a very slow full-body workout with weights three times a week for an hour's time.'

He also engaged in a slow full-body weightlifting routine thrice weekly for an hour each session.

Meanwhile, Nicholls implemented dietary restrictions such as eliminating sugar, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods - as well as embracing a plant-based meal plan akin to the Mediterranean diet became paramount.

The results were striking. Within nine weeks, Nicholls underwent a significant transformation. 

Dr. Isaacson said: 'When I first saw Simon, he had a bit of a middle, like most guys in their 50s. When I saw him at nine weeks, I did a double take. He was totally buff, ripped even'.

'Within those nine weeks, he had lost 21 pounds, about 80 percent of that fat, and put on muscle, which was excellent,' Isaacson added. 'I almost didn't recognize him.'

Nicholls shed 21 pounds during this period, with approximately 80 percent of the loss attributed to fat. Furthermore, he gained muscle mass, a development lauded by Isaacson.

This transformation not only resulted in physical changes but also had profound implications for Nicholls' health.

The weight loss and muscle gain led to a major reduction in fasting blood sugar levels, halting his progression towards diabetes and monitored his cholesterol levels.

Nicholls also took matters into his own hands, incorporating additional interventions into his regimen.

'I have steam and sauna rooms in my home, I do a lot of that. I love it,' he told CNN. 'I've tried cold water plunges, and I have lists of things to do I get from podcasts, from walking to sleeping to gratitude to yoga to sleep routines'.

One practice that Nicholls and his doctor are not on the same page about is stem cell injections.

Nicholls said he gets them twice a year and find relief from the therapy.

'Sadly, I have arthritis in my hands, and that definitely feels better when I use stem cells, and I like to think they may be helping my brain, as well,' he explained.

Another significant challenge to address was Nicholls' sleep, or lack thereof, which studies have linked to accelerated cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

Given his frequent international travel and demanding schedule, Nicholls struggled with getting adequate sleep and suffered with erratic sleep patterns due to jet lag and insomnia.

A prescribed sleep medication offered some relief but Isaacson pushed Nicholls to prioritize sleep hygiene, and advised he find a consistent sleep schedule to improve overall sleep quality.

Isaacson said he refrains from using the term 'reverse' but emphasized the excitement surrounding the promising results observed in Nicholls and other patients.

'I don't use the term 'reverse.' I don't know what reverse means when it comes to the field of Alzheimer's,' Isaacson said. 'But the results we've seen with Simon and some other patients in our research are extremely exciting.' 

Lifestyle's impact on cognition is gaining traction with scientists exploring the benefits of a plant-based diet, stress reduction, exercise, and quality sleep.

Scientists may also be one step closer to a cure for Alzheimer's after working out who is most likely to get the disease.

Researchers have discovered almost all individuals with two copies of a particular gene, called APOE4, go on to develop signs of the memory-robbing condition.

What is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, in which build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die.

This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink. 

More than 5 million people suffer from the disease in the US, where it is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 1 million Britons have it.

WHAT HAPPENS?

As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost. 

That includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason. 

The progress of the disease is slow and gradual. 

On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live for ten to 15 years.

EARLY SYMPTOMS:

• Loss of short-term memory
• Disorientation
• Behavioral changes
• Mood swings
• Difficulties dealing with money or making a phone call 

LATER SYMPTOMS:

• Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or places
• Becoming anxious and frustrated over inability to make sense of the world, leading to aggressive behavior 
• Eventually lose ability to walk
• May have problems eating 
• The majority will eventually need 24-hour care   

 Source: Alzheimer's Association

<!- - ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/health/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 - ->

Advertisement

Previously, the quirk — carried by Avengers star Chris Hemsworth — had been linked to a ten-fold heightened risk.

The team from the Sant Pau Research Institute in Barcelona analyzed clinical data from more than 10,000 people and more than 3,000 brain donors.

They found that more than 95 per cent of people aged 65 and above who had two copies of the APOE4 gene went on to show early signs of the disease.

It was also revealed earlier this week that horrible moments in life don't just bring on added stress, but a new study has found one such event could even raise your risk for developing Alzheimer's.

Scientists found that if someone had a traumatic experience, such as a divorce or death, at a young age they were more likely to have symptoms of disease than those who had skated through unscathed.

By taking samples from participants spinal fluid, they found that people with more stress had more of the kinds of proteins floating around their body that are associated with Alzheimer's disease than those without it.