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Can “Light Waves” Help Alzheimer’s Disease?

Al Sears, MD, CNS – Recently, the drug company Biogen pulled out of two clinical trials for potential Alzheimer’s drugs. In total, that’s more than 200 failed attempts [at finding a workable treatment]. Without drugs to prescribe, doctors feel helpless. But what if a simple, non-drug therapy could ease the symptoms of Alzheimer’s?

Today, I’ll show you how a unique “light wave” therapy shows promise for Alzheimer’s disease.

The 3 Hallmarks of Alzheimer’s

Scientists have known for years that beta-amyloid deposits are abundant in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s disease. These deposits build up over time, blocking communication between nerve cells, eventually gumming them up, causing more confusion and memory loss.

Recently, MIT researchers examined the brain waves of normal mice and mice with Alzheimer’s.

The brains of mice with Alzheimer’s had irregular or “disrupted” gamma waves and acted differently than mice with normal gamma waves.1

Gamma waves are the fastest of the brain waves and used by the neurons to pass information quickly and easily. This is what helps us to quickly recall old memories while making new ones.

The mice with disrupted gamma waves had clear signs of beta-amyloid deposit buildup due to their slow movement and responsiveness.

After observing the differences between the two groups, the researchers came up with an idea…

What if they could restore the disrupted gamma waves?

Researchers experimented by using a flickering light that mimicked the gamma wave frequency.

“It’s a pretty striking result…” the lead researcher said “…they were able to reduce, in the mouse at least, all three hallmarks of Alzheimer’s pathology.”2

The light therapy restored normal gamma waves and reduced beta-amyloid deposits.

While most doctors aren’t using this technology yet, I will keep you posted in future Doctor’s House Calls as this story unfolds.

In the meantime, you have other options.

How to Keep Your Brain Sharp and Snappy as You Age

  • Increase your memory and concentration abilities by 800% with oxygen: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is known to help awaken the “sleeping brains” of Alzheimer’s patients. My colleague Dr. Harch presented his work with dementia patients at my conference last year.

Each session takes about 80 minutes and most patients listen to music or watch TV. And there are no known side effects — because you’re not putting anything unnatural in your body. Just pure oxygen… the very source of life.

You can find more info at Hyperbaric Medicine International’s website. View their directory to help you find a clinic in your local area.

  • Increase your vitamin B12: Supplementing with vitamin B12 can slow brain shrinkage by as much as seven-fold in areas of the brain known to be most impacted by memory loss.3

Your best food sources for vitamin B12 are grass-fed beef liver, clams, pastured eggs and wild-caught trout, tuna and salmon. But it’s hard to get what you need from today’s food. I recommend supplementing with at least 1,000 mcg of B12 a day. But avoid taking pills or capsules. Only a small fraction gets absorbed through your gut. Sprays are much more effective at getting the nutrient into your blood and circulatory system.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD, CNS

References

1. Iaccarino HF, et al. “Gamma frequency entrainment attenuates amyloid load and modifies microglia.” Nature. 2016;540(7632):230-235. 
2. Taylor AP. “Toward treating Alzheimer’s disease with brain waves.” The Scientist. December 7, 2016.
3. Douaud G. “Preventing Alzheimer’s disease-related gray matter atrophy by B-vitamin treatment.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013;110(23):9523-9528.
This article has been modified. To read the original article click here.
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