- Plant-based diets, regular exercise, and daily meditation can reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms.
- Group therapy and specific supplements are crucial in the new regimen.
- The study shows significant cognitive and functional improvements in participants.
Recent research led by Dr. Dean Ornish from the Preventive Medicine Research Institute indicates that adopting five lifestyle changes can halt and even reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Participants engaged in daily walking, light strength training, meditation, and yoga sessions while adhering to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, and soy products.
Lifestyle Changes Show Promise in Reversing Alzheimer’s Symptoms
A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Dean Ornish has revealed that intensive lifestyle changes can significantly improve cognition and function in Alzheimer’s patients. Published in ‘Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy,’ the study involved 51 participants with mild Alzheimer’s symptoms. The intervention included a plant-based diet, regular exercise, daily meditation, group therapy, and specific supplements, demonstrating notable benefits over 20 weeks.
Participants adhered to a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, and soy products, which are rich in nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. This dietary shift is believed to play a crucial role in reducing the risk of dementia. Alongside dietary changes, participants engaged in daily walking, light strength training three times a week, and daily meditation and yoga sessions to manage stress.
Group therapy sessions, held three times a week, provided emotional support and social interaction, which are vital for mental health. The study also incorporated the use of eight different supplements to ensure adequate nutrient intake. These combined lifestyle changes helped in improving cognitive function and halting the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms in many participants.
Dr. Richard Isaacson from Cornell monitored the participants and expressed enthusiasm about the promising results. He highlighted that the findings show how non-pharmacological interventions can be a powerful tool in managing Alzheimer’s disease. The study’s success underscores the importance of holistic approaches to health and disease prevention.
The study led by Dr. Dean Ornish demonstrates that comprehensive lifestyle modifications can significantly impact the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, offering a promising non-pharmacological approach to managing and potentially reversing symptoms.
“This is not the study to end all studies. But it shows for the first time that intensive lifestyle changes can improve cognition and function in patients who have Alzheimer’s.”
– Dr. Dean Ornish
