“What’s good for your heart, is good for your brain.” - Dr. Dean Ornish, MD
In a new landmark clinical study, Dr. Ornish of the Preventative Medicine Research Institute has demonstrated that an intensive lifestyle intervention, without drugs, may significantly improve cognition and function in many patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This clinical study was published in June 2024 in the leading peer-reviewed Alzheimer’s translational research journal, Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy.
The study concluded that “comprehensive lifestyle changes may significantly improve cognition and function after 20 weeks in many patients with MCI or early dementia due to AD.”
While other studies, such as the MIND Diet study, have shown that diet can play a role in prevention of cognitive decline, this is the first study to show an actual improvement in patients who already have Alzheimer’s.
Ornish had previously developed a lifestyle program in 1998 to address heart disease risk and showed that the combination of improved diet, exercise, stress reduction, and social engagement could significantly lower the risk of, and even reverse, atherosclerosis and heart disease.
“I have a unifying theory that many different chronic diseases share the same underlying biological mechanisms,” Ornish says. “Those include inflammation, overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, changes in the microbiome...gene expressions, and immune system changes. That’s why what is good for the heart is good for the brain — these same mechanisms affect different conditions, and lifestyle choices can make them better or worse.”
The Lifestyle Change Protocol
In the trial, an intensive program of diet, exercise, stress reduction, and social interaction did in fact slow the progression of cognitive decline as measured on standard tests for dementia, and even improved some people's symptoms.
So, what exactly did the study participants do for the 20-week intensive program? Let’s take a closer look!
Diet
The lifestyle program featured a whole food, minimally-processed, plant-based diet, high in complex carbohydrates (predominantly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, soy products, seeds and nuts) and especially low in harmful fats, sweeteners, and refined carbohydrates. Calories were unrestricted, as the focus was on food quality. Three meals plus two snacks were provided per day to meet the nutritional needs of participants. Participants were asked to consume only the food and nutritional supplements sent to them and no other foods. Some of the supplements prescribed were vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamin, and probiotics (see the study article for more supplement details).
Exercise
Participants were given a personalized exercise prescription based on age and fitness level consisting of aerobic (e.g., walking) exercise at least 30 minutes per day and mild strength training exercises at least three times per week from an exercise physiologist in person or with virtual sessions. All sessions were overseen by a registered nurse.
Stress Management
Meditation, gentle yoga-based poses, stretching, progressive relaxation, breathing exercises, and imagery for a total of one hour per day, supervised by a certified stress management specialist, was included in the program. The purpose of each technique was to increase the patient’s sense of relaxation, concentration, and awareness. They were also encouraged to get adequate sleep.
Group Support for Social Interaction
Participants and their spouses/study partners participated in a support group for one hour, three days per week, supervised by a licensed mental health professional to increase emotional support and community as well as communication skills and strategies for maintaining adherence to the program. They also received a book with memory exercises used periodically during group sessions.
How Did it Work?
By the end of the 20-week study, those who made the lifestyle changes showed statistically significant improvements in three of four standard cognitive tests and borderline statistically significant changes in the fourth test. This is especially impressive when compared to people in the control group, who showed worsening scores on all four tests.
Everyone provided blood samples so that the researchers could track changes in markers for Alzheimer’s and fecal samples to provide insight into their microbiome, or gut bacteria. The improvement in gut microbiome was of significance and very intriguing.
What’s Next?
As with most studies, “more research and follow up studies are needed” in this area. But this is clearly a great start!
We have known for years that lifestyle choices can affect our heart health, and now it turns out that these same healthy habits can impact our mental health as well!
As Christians, we have the added benefit of including the LORD in our health journey. We can utilize prayer and Scripture in our arsenal of stress management techniques, as well as our local church family for added support and loving fellowship. Also, what better book to use for “memory exercise” than the Holy Bible?
How can you begin to make some of these healthy lifestyle changes in your own life today? Choose one of the four categories from the lifestyle program described, and let us know in the comments below what you plan to work on first!
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