David Perlmutter, M.D.,pictured to the right,a prominent neurologist from Florida gave excellent lectures. at the convention, for many hours about how to protect our brains from the growing epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as from Parkinson’s disease. He stated that “Alzheimer’s is very preventable.”

He also quoted in his lecture the saying “The time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining.” This is true with regards to the prevention of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Basically, he shows that Alzheimer’s disease is due to damage to the mitochondria – the energy organelles inside the cell – and its DNA, that cause Alzheimer’s disease. Basically the mitochondria dictate whether a cell will live or die. Therefore he considers Alzheimer’s disease to be an illness of the mitochondria, which he calls a mitochondropathy. He talked to us about how we can nurture our mitochondria.

He pointed out that fungicides and solvents as well as heavy metals contribute to this damage to the mitochondria.

There is a powerful molecule in our brain called BDNF, which stands for Brain Derived neurotrophic Factor. Just by exercising we increase our BNNF. He gave us a list of the things that increase our Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor.

This list is as follows:
1. Caloric restriction.
2. Physical exercise.
3. DHA
4. Mental exercise
5. Hyperbaric oxygen.

Physical exercise is critical!

He also pointed out that blood sugar is a problem for the brain. He feels that a HgA1C of 5.6 to 5.8 is not low enough. HgA1C is a common blood test that shows us the average blood sugar we have had over the last three months in one number. He points out that high fructose corn syrup is one of the worst ways for us to take in sugar. This is what most soft drinks are made with. He entreats all of us to avoid getting diabetes, at all costs, because of the effect of high blood sugar on the brain.

He also gave nutritional recommendations to help cope with “Advanced Glycation End Products” also known as AGE’s. These are the end products of our proteins being combined with too much sugar.

The nutritional therapy he recommended includes the following with links to my Healthy Living Shop:

-Benfotiamine

–Alpha-Lipoic Acid:

–Taurine:

–Resveratrol:

–N-Acetyl Cysteine:

-Aspirin

-Carnosine

–DHA-derived from fish or algae:

-Low Carbohydrate Diet.

Lipid peroxides, which we measure at our clinic, are a sign of oxidative stress. When they are elevated, this implies that the brain is “on fire” which creates a feedforward mechanism causing more oxidation which contributes to mitochondrial damage.

Dr. Perlmutter also recommends healthy fats in our diet as the brain is composed of large amounts of fat.

He pointed out that gluten can be a toxin to the brain directly. He cited out an experiment: If you were to put your finger in the acid contained in the stomach, your finger would be dissolved in 10 to 15 seconds. If you put gluten in your stomach acid, it is still there untouched 12 hours later.

Dr. Perlmutter went on to conclude that we have inherited two genomes or genetic structures. One is from our parents and the second is the bacteria in our gut. The gut bacteria, called the microbiome, is very dynamic. Dr. Perlmutter pointed out that the human genome combined with the microbiome make metabolites that tell us who is “playing the piano”. He therefore reminds us that food is information, that is targeting our genetic structure.

I encourage you to read Dr. David Perlmutter’s Booksand articles to learn more about the prevention of chronic neurological diseases.

Power Up Your Brain

Dr Perlmutters article on Neurogenesis

Gluten and The Brain

Free radicals and aging

Rethinking Alzheimers

The Lancet article on gluten and brain

Summary of the Lancet article

Great Photo of the Gluten molecule showing its toxic elements