Reverse Early Memory Loss with a Functional Medicine Approach

Reverse Early Memory Loss with a Functional Medicine Approach

Although genetics play a big role in who experiences memory loss with age, you don’t have to be a victim to the ravages of brain degeneration. By taking action at the early signs of memory loss, you can reverse your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s before it’s too late. 

One study showed that nine out of ten patients were able to reverse their memory loss when early intervention occurred. The same study subjects also showed significant long-term improvement in memory function. So what was the magic bullet? There was no magic. Just the solid implementation of functional neurology basics. Here’s what was done.

Study subjects underwent a dietary and lifestyle overhaul that included changes in what they ate, regular exercise, supplementation, better sleep, and exercising their brain.  The improvements were so profound that some of the subjects were able to work again, having quit due to advancing memory loss. 

Of the ten study subjects, the only individual who did not improve suffered from late-stage Alzheimer’s — demonstrating how important it is to take action during the early stages of memory loss. Although plenty of functional neurology clinical cases show memory loss can be reversed, this was the first study of its kind.

Functional Neurology and Rehabilitation Techniques

In the study, subjects reversed their memory loss through the following approaches, also commonly used in functional neurology:

• Removed all simple carbohydrates (white rice, pasta, bread, sugar, etc.) from the diet
• Eliminated processed foods
• Ate a gluten-free diet
• Ate more produce and wild-caught (not farm-raised) fish
• Did yoga and activities that reduce stress
• Increased sleep from 4-5 hours a night to 7-8
• Supplemented with methyl B12, vitamin D3, fish oil, CoQ10, curcumin, resveratrol, ashwagandha, and coconut oil
• Exercised a minimum of 30 minutes four to six times a week
• Eliminated snacking
• Used hormone therapy in cases where it was necessary

Researchers found the biggest challenge in the study was complaints from the subjects about all the changes. Nevertheless, all but one enjoyed significant benefits.

Diet

One of the more important factors in reversing memory loss is reducing the consumption of simple and processed carbohydrates. These foods spike blood sugar, inflame the brain, and trigger a cascade of chronic health problems.  In fact, some researchers call Alzheimer’s Disease ‘Type 3 Diabetes’ because excess sugar and carbohydrates are so destructive to the brain. Exercise is another vital strategy to reverse memory loss because it has so many beneficial effects on the brain. 

A gluten-free diet can be a profound tool to reverse memory loss — in some people gluten triggers inflammation or autoimmune destruction of brain tissue, sabotaging memory function. Likewise, dairy, eggs, soy, and grains can do the same. Although most people think gluten sensitivity causes gut problems, the truth is more commonly causes neurological damage.

Sleep

It is also important to get enough sleep every night to reverse memory loss. This is because one purpose of the brain waves produced during sleep is to transfer memories from short-term storage to long-term storage areas of the brain (from the hippocampus to the neocortex). Too little sleep disrupts this process. 

Rehab Techniques

In addition to dietary and lifestyle approaches, functional neurology rehabilitation techniques can help reverse memory loss. If an area of your brain is under-active or over-active, functional neurology exercises to restore balance and function to the brain will help improve overall brain function, including reversing memory loss.