I've been dealing with Lyme and co-infections since 1998, but wasn't accurately diagnosed until 2005.
Just recently, due to increasing memory problems and a measured drop in I.Q., I got quite busy doing new research.
I was introduced to the book, The End of Alzheimer's. The book states, early on, that most autopsies of people who died with Alzheimer's had LYME BACTERIA IN THEIR BRAINS!!
The book is pretty straight-forward, dealing with the factors known to contribute to Alzheimer's, what tests to get done so you know if this is a factor for you, and what to do to handle each thing.
(It includes a genetic marker that makes one more prone to get Alzheimer's. There's a whole network of people who have this gene variant who support each other on-line, similar to LymeNet.)
Bredesen has a protocol called "ReCODE" which includes all the tests and access to physicians names who have trained in this protocol. The initial cost is pretty pricey for me at about $1,400. I have already had many of the tests done recently, and don't really want to pay for them again.
At any rate, it is possible to run most of this protocol on your own, with substantial gains. Handling Lyme would definitely be part of it. Mold toxicity is in there, too.
I'd be curious to know if anyone on LymeNet is using or has used the ReCODE protocol, and find out about their experiences.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
This is not new, but an old knowledge, that is even inside the old Under the Skin film...
here are some old quotes from the film:
"I extracted DNA from 10 Alzheimer brains that came from the Harvard University brain bank.
Using molecular methods he was able to find the DNA of the Spirochete which causes Lyme disease IN 7 OUT OF 10 OF THE ALZHEIMER BRAIN SPECIMENS THAT HE RECEIVED FROM HARVARD."
- Dr. Alan B. MacDonald - St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center - Dept. of Pathology - 50 Rte 25 A - Smithtown, NY. 11787. S
---------------------------------
"We never had, in the last 5 years, a single Alzheimer Disease, Lou Gehrig's Disease / ALS, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis / MS patient who did not test positive for Borrelia Burgdorferi (Lyme Disease bacteria), not a single one!" - Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt MD
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
I hope someone who used reCODE will write here... I don't know it. Is it mostly drugs, or a combo of herbs, supplements etc?
I think all these diseases need to address toxins, such as heavy metals. If not, I don't see how to heal long term....
I hope someone chimes in to help you with information on reCODE.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I've not used reCODE, though I hope you find good feedback.
Of note, in my world of personal research is the fact that many doctors consider Alzheimer's - at least in part - to be Type 3 Diabetes.
And many of those same professionals have found, just like for T2D, a low cart / high fat lifestyle has shown good promise in reversing some of the manifestations.
I have been astounded that my sleep & my brain have gotten so much better since I switched to a ketogenic diet 14 months ago. That's no more than 20 grams of total carbohydrates a day, or about 3 cups of non-starchy / green veggies. Avocados great, too.
The link below with Dr. Eric Westman, can lead you to his other videos, too, about ketogenic / low carb / high fat.
But, mostly, links for Amy Berger's work.
While, yeah, it makes sense that if we know we have a chronic stealth infection that seems to have links to brain troubles, addressing such matters.
But, I'd put at the top of the "to-do" list: getting a home blood glucose meter and check to see how certain foods affect you.
Diatrive is one I settled on for their affordability. Online.
edit burp here.
Still, at the same time, learning about how carbohydrates affect the brain is also key. I have seen just about every one of her videos (and hundreds by others, too). I find her work especially vital to everyone who has a brain, really.
Virta Health - Science & Research links / blog posts -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You say you are not inclined to do that $1,400. test panel. For others, I would not suggest embarking on the ReCODE testing.
At least not until you are able to really dive into the work of others, starting with Amy Berger and then others whom she might recommend.
The "ketoflex" plan described in Bredesen's book - does not follow the science regarding what a ketogenic diet or ketosis really is.
It seems like he's trying to ride on the popularity of the ketogenic diet - and it's not correct at all.
For ketosis to occur, total carbs cannot go over 20 grams per day. Of course, just cutting carbs and processed foods can bring about good changes but my issue is that the term "ketoflex" is a mish-mash.
IMO, his "ketoflex" is a dangerous imitation that misses key points to nutritional ketosis and allow far too much glucose / fructose to allow ketosis to occur. He misses the science of this totally.
The intermittent fasting is not at all unique to his idea. Many who are on a ketogenic diet fast for 12 - 16 - 18 hours from dinner to the first meal of the day --- or they eat late a.m. and mid-afternoon. A eating window of about 6 hours.
It's not required, and there is still flexibility in various ways, but please do not think he is a guide to the proper way to approach.
This link has extensive article describing Bredesen "ketoflex" idea (which I do not recommend. It's full of holes & if he's so off course with that, I, myself, would not trust him with other details).
-------
again, my opinion - I just think it best to first see Amy Berger's work to better understand why I would recommend her work over his IF one is intending to utilize a ketogenic approach.
She - as well as Ivor Cummins (see YouTube) speak to APO-E and what some numbers behind that mean.
Also, Ivor Cummins' work with the Irish Heart group has great detail on a coronary calcium heart CT scan - that would top my list for any test, really, along with APO-E,
but, as you will see in Ivor Cummin's podcasts, even if one has both numbers of APO-E that might be suggestive of alzheimer's there are ways to approach that with a ketogenic diet.
Some of these "markers" might not ever "turn" on, so to speak. There are so many mitigating factors.
Basically, we control what we can and do the best we can.
Also search the work of medical journalist "Nina Teicholz" for her book, and YouTube presentations on topics: meat, fat, etc. She researched her book for ten years and we are all the beneficiaries of that. Saturated fats really do help our brains.
another medical journalist, Gary Taubes' work, too. He really understands the science of glucose / fructose.
DietDoctor -- best and worst of the fruits / berries for low carb or ketogenic approaches.
Virta Health website is also key in learning what ketosis / a ketogenic diet is and what it is not.
Whatever course you take, though,
IMO, it's really important to see what your blood sugar is doing - so that it can stay steady, ideally between 80 - 100 through most of the day and not too much over even after a meal.
Test at 30-minutes, one hour and two hours after a meal.
See how your body handles different foods. That will be very telling and helpful.
[you don't need to sign up for a plan unless you want to - or just for the first order as it has more components . . . you can go directly to "Products" 1/2 way down this page. That way, you can re-order when you want.
Call them if any questions - I have found them to be excellent with customer service.
If you are to embark upon a low carb / high fat or even lower carb ketogenic diet, it might be good to have a ketone meter. But those can be very spendy and
I find that a glucose meter helps since if the glucose is within a good range, never (or rarely) going high, then ketosis usually occurs when one is following a true plan. Steadiness matters so that we don't spark a surge of insulin in our bodies.
Amy Berger, et al, will explain why.
My tendency is to say "sorry" for posting so much but, the article about that "ketoflex" plan is so full of errors that I hope what I've posted can be a research guide you can follow and come back to if you are interested.
a short KISS, a reader comment asked how to make it simple. The author replied, herself:
I'm sorry about the (size of) print. I don't like it either! (I am the author of this book.) I did request a larger font, but the decision was out of my hands. My apologies. I agree that it is far too small.
As for feeling overwhelmed with the information you need, keep it simple:
eliminate (as much as possible) sugars and grains from your diet.
Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. Eat foods your great grandmother would have recognized as food. (Beef, chicken, spinach, peppers...not Pop-Tarts and fat-free bran muffins.)
[Amy B] -
[ 07-17-2019, 06:16 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Google: TUDCA Alzheimer's. !!!
Pathogens can get into the brain thru the lymph system.
Supporting this concept, a recent study suggests that pre-conditioning with an un-conventional TLR2 agonist may render a broader protection toward viral infection (Shirey et al., 2013).
Bb triggers TLR2, but NOT TLR5 (flagellin receptor). OspA looks to be problematic.
Note her LIVER recovered in addition to clearing the infection via phage treatment.
[ 07-19-2019, 04:52 PM: Message edited by: Marnie ]
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Dear Keebler and Marnie,
Thanks for the valuable feedback!! I'd been doing a full ketogenic diet for many months, and now sometimes eat more carbs, along the lines of the "Bulletproof Diet." I'll check out the references, Keebler!
The ReCODE protocol is not about a single chemical, but involves looking into over 30 different areas that either are causative in pushing people into dementia or work to keep them out of dementia or even reverse it. He now has hundreds, if not thousands, of people using this protocol, with good results in reversing symptoms leading up to Alzheimer's and Alzheimer's itself.
His treatment for Lyme I found overly simplistic, at best, so I'm not asserting that his implementation of handlings for each thing he finds are "state of the art." What was refreshing for me was someone actually not looking for a single pill, but willing to deal with this issue in its complexity.
As we know from dealing with Lyme, nothing works for everyone!
Some of the points he says that help are specific types of exercise and lowering inflammation levels.
Some that push decline are specific medications and a particular genetic marker---ApoE4, which one can find with a gene study like 23andMe then decoded at another website that offers the decoding service, usually for about $10. Also, sleep apnea.
These are just examples.
Since EVERYONE who has Lyme is therefore at greater risk of Alzheimer's than anyone who doesn't have it, it seems that also looking into those other areas could be helpful---to see if they are a problem or not, or to adopt some change like a specific exercise program.
Personally, I was very worried that I might have the gene variant that would make me REALLY liable to get Alzheimer's!!! I had no idea that even existed!!
At any rate, I'm getting the testing done that he recommends---mostly via my MDs using insurance. We'll see where it goes from there.
I'll let you know!
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Genetics does play a part in AD - esp. APOE4, BUT that is NOT to say there are not work arounds - there are!!!
Although the main function of apoE has been attributed to ***cholesterol transport,*** accumulating evidence indicates that apoE also modulates metabolic disease progression through lipid transport-independent mechanisms (2).
Taken together, these results showed that apoE4 expression causes macrophage dysfunction and promotes apoptosis via ER stress induction.
***The reduction of ER stress in macrophages may be a viable option to reduce inflammation and inflammation-related metabolic disorders associated with the apoE4 polymorphism.***
Previous studies have shown that apoE3 may protect against metabolic diseases via its anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory properties (2, 6), including its attenuation of toll-like receptor signaling and converting the pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages to the anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotype (7, 8).
Atherosclerosis enhancement observed in APOE4 mice is at least in part due to the apoE4 expressed in macrophages (24).
P.S. Bb follows the "cholesterol pathway" to build its cell walls. The cell wall deficient form, appears to be hit by barometric/cosmotic pressure differences.The cyst form can be hit with Flagyl.
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Dear Marnie,
Thanks so much for the data! Lucky for me, I DON'T have the ApoE4 variant!! I don't know what "ER stress" is---could you define that?
I tried Flagyl ONCE, and went totally unconscious and then, when I became aware, had no idea at all where I was or what I was holding in my hands---it was a letter, and I had to figure this out!!!! I would never take it again after that kind of reaction!
I'm curious about the cell wall deficient form of Lyme being "hit" by barometric pressure differences. I've been looking into mHBOT, so a reference on that would be useful!
I just got some more of the recommended tests done, and will report back when I find out about them.
Bredesen does not claim that any of his protocol is unique to him---but that he and his research partners found out that Alzheimer's is actually a normal biologic function that has gone bonkers. His protocol is composed of tests to find out what things are making it go bonkers and recommendations about what to do on each.
The "what do do" is often not enough, but he dose want on-going testing of ketosis, for example, so if a person wasn't getting there on the "simplistic" handling he has in the book, they could get help with getting the optimum result.
I'm actually also interested if anyone has done the tests and tried out doing some of the steps that AREN'T Lyme to see if it's helped them.
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Many conditions that impose stress on cells, including hypoxia, starvation, ***infections*** and changes in secretory needs, challenge the folding capacity of the cell and
promote endoplasmic reticulum stress.
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a critical organelle for
protein synthesis, folding and modification, and lipid synthesis and calcium storage.
Dysregulation of ER functions leads to the accumulation of misfolded- or unfolded-protein in the ER lumen,
and this triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR), which restores ER homeostasis.
More...
Selenoprotein S is required for
clearance of C99
through endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation.
C99 is subsequently cleaved to amyloid β (Aβ), the aggregation of which is known to cause Alzheimer's disease.
Abnormalities in XBP1 lead to a heightened endoplasmic reticulum stress response
and subsequently causes a higher susceptibility for inflammatory processes that may even contribute to Alzheimer's disease.[30] In the colon, XBP1 anomalies have been linked to the inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn's disease
Wikipedia
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Dear Marnie,
Thanks for answering my question. I was able to look up what it is.
The use of so much technical lingo without defining the words makes it very difficult to get the gist of what you're talking about. I know it would be helpful to understand and apply what you've discovered--I would like to be able to do that.
Posted by Lyme248 (Member # 51011) on :
I've heard also that aluminum is found in the brain lesions of Alzheimer's patients. Is it possible that detoxing of metals could help with symptoms?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Cass,
Just stumbled upon this. Some support for your ketogenic diet to continue, eh?
Keto Diet rescues cognition in ApoE4+ patient with mild Alzheimer's Disease: A case study.
24 January 2019
Sarah J.Morrilla, Kelly J.Gibas (Bethel University, MN)
Abstract Excerpt:
. . . The results were statistically significant. The HOMA-IR decreased by 75% from 13.9 to 3.48. [poster's interjection: that's about excess insulin reduction]
Triglycerides decreased by 50% from 170mg/dL to 85mg/dL. VLDL dropped by 50% from 34mg/dL to 17mg/dL, and HgA1c decreased from 5.7% to 4.9%.
[other tests] suggest that a ketogenic diet may serve to rescue cognition in patients with mild AD.
The results of this case study are particularly compelling for ApoE4 positive (ApoE4+) subjects
as ketogenic protocols extend hope and promise for AD prevention. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Lyme248,
Aluminum certainly could be a contributing factor. Even a tiny bit is not good for any neuro or brain cells.
Good point.
Cass,
I wonder if Chlorella & Spirulina . . . and Cilantro would be effective at helping reduce aluminum in the body / brain?
I can't say for sure but it might help as you sort this out.
Whatever agent (or combo) should both mobilizes and also bind and moves it on out seems to matter..
I've done my home glucose testing on Chlorella and Spirulina, about 1 level tsp. each in water. For my body, at 30 minutes and then one hour later, I get no rise in glucose.
For what that's worth since you are also on a ketogenic diet and with only 20 total grams of carbs a day, it all matters.
For reference, aluminum is in some vaccines, though now doctors say, hey, "it helps the body to launch an immune response and it's not that much" (paraphrase of recent article).
But, some experts say that any aluminum we take in is too much and can be a risk.
It's best to not even use aluminum foil in cooking - or the old aluminum cookware, certain cans foods without lining (but then much of that protective coating is a plastic not good, either).
Air pollution, some farm chemicals and garden / weed sprays, etc. there are lots of places it can present itself.
VACCINE INGREDIENTS, Lists - Informational Links set -
[ 07-27-2019, 06:40 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Hi, Keebler, Marnie, and Lyme 248,
Thanks for the messages! Yes, aluminum is a BIG factor!! I've done a LOT of chlorella, and still take it every day! The last time I tested it, cilantro was not OK for me, but I did take it several times daily for years.
I just got a broad-spectrum infra-red sauna, but haven't started using it yet. I've also done lots of saunas in the past, but not much in recent years. One of my doctors recommended this for me to do now. I have chronic low body temperature---sometimes in the morning as low as 95 degrees---and the saunas might help with the adverse affects of that situation in addition to flushing out toxins.
I recently started taking some berberine to help lose the fat in my liver and around internal organs, as my waist is still a bit larger than optimum, so I appreciate the advice and more data on what it can do!
Still getting tests done for the "End of Alzheimer's" protocol. It's really tough to get a n single MD to order all of them!
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Dear Friends,
Some POSITIVE news from the ReCODE front!
First, I DON'T have the Apo-E4 gene that makes one much, much more likely to end up with Alzheimer's.
Sleep and brain-damaging drugs are two of the many points in the ReCODE handling.
I found out that two of the medications I've been taking for several years actually cause memory loss! One of my MDs is supervising me getting down to the "doesn't have this affect" dose, and I'm noticing a positive change in my ability to absorb and re-access information.
Also, I was found to have sleep apneia, and have been struggling with a C-PAP machine for about a month. I think we may become friends, at last.... Even though I'm not sleeping through the night, using the C-PAP seems to be having a positive effect overall.
Another case of "blaming it all on Lyme" not being workable in actually dealing with the situation.
Hoping to have more good news soon!
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
I second Marnie advice on TUDCA. I just listened to Dr Jay Davidson & Dr Watts yesterday do a webinar on Microbe Formulas TUDCA PLUS.
TUDCA does cross the brain barrier but the real key to addressing Altzhemiers fears and prevention is thru the gut.
The gut must be flowing properly for there to be a healthy brain.
I have one variant of the APOE4 gene. I'm in a really good place from the neck down and have been for 18 months from Lyme & a very long list of other co-infections.
But my brain is not clearing. MRI in May revealed Lyme lesions and bacterial infection in my sinuses.
TUDCA for those that are sensitive, needs to be started slowly at one per day. Don't go all guns blazing and think you can clean up our body quickly.
Look at TUDCA Plus.
Pam
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Thanks to the contributors to this thread!
I have had some time to look into the various links provided, and the info has been very helpful!!! Each had important data that I hadn't seen before. Thanks to each!!
I'm certain I have gut issues---but what kind, I'm looking to the Cyrix Assays recommended in the ReCODE protocol to determine, as the various "gut signals" are easy to mis-interpret and then mis-treat. I'm thankful that Bredesen says to handle a leaky gut FIRST, then go after the rest. I have done other handlings, with no lasting improvement. So, finding out if leaky gut is a problem I have is important to me. Then, once handled, perhaps TUDCA will be a supplement I need to use!
In addition to being on a ketogenic diet, I also have eliminated dairy, eggs, caffeine, nightshade-family vegetables, wheat-containing products, and eat any other grains rarely. Oh, did I say I stopped eating sugar years ago?? I do still eat fruit, but have lowered my consumption drastically. Unfortunately, the dietary changes for me did not result in a major rebound in memory or sleep or energy levels. I did lose 25 pounds that needed to go and wasn't hungry! And, I like eating this way--gives me an excuse to eat coconut butter!!!
For sinus infections, I use Xlear--which is just zylitol and salt water. I now even make up my own! That stuff kills bacteria, but does not deal with mold, as far as I know.
I, too, have brain damage from Lyme that showed up on an MRI in 2007!!!!
These things---diet, insulin resistance, mold toxins, chronic infections, lack of proper exercise, genetic reduction in ability to detoxify, sleep issues, heavy metals in the body, gut issues, poor dental hygiene (those bugs get into the brain, too!!) are ALL contributory to Alzheimer's, according to Bredesen. And, this is not a complete list! We're pretty much talking about Life in America by this time!!! LOL!!!
It seems to me that finding what ELSE is going on in addition to Lyme is something that LymeNet has been very good at over the years. For me, the ReCODE system of tests is helpful to do that and then not have to put more personal attention on what is already fixed or isn't a problem in the first place.
More testing in September for me.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Cass,
Thanks for your detailed, extended notes. The other day I caught half of one of Dr. Bredesen's interview via YouTube (I think it was with Dr. Mercola).
I intend to watch the rest of the video and then also read more carefully your posts and then other talks / writings of his.
So impressive are you in all you've explored.
Thanks, again for your thread. -
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Dear Keebler,
You're quite welcome!!
Thanks so much to YOU for your dedication to providing info on LymeNet for these many, many years!!
Please continue!
I hope that you, personally, are now doing very, very much better than when I first discovered LymeNet so many years ago!