The AlzFighter Process: Category 7: Diet and ingested substances.

Brain Protection, Diet, Neurotoxins, Prevention, Sleep / Rest

We really are what we eat AND what we are exposed to.

1. Diet:

Much like the gasoline quality, the quality and quantity of what we fill our cars with truly matter. An ideal diet includes a healthy mix of proteins, healthy fats, healthy carbs, and fiber. Adequate hydration is also crucial. There are numerous diet plans and methods. However, those that moderate carbs are particularly supportive of total health and wellness. Our bodies have multiple systems that all interact to maintain an internal balance. This balance, in general, is called homeostasis. Blood sugar levels fall under the category of blood glucose homeostasis. The system is fairly complex, but in a nutshell, the body uses two main hormones, insulin and glucagon, to maintain a steady state of blood sugar. as well as cytokines under normal conditions. However, chronic exposure to a diabetic environment with high fat/high sugar diets and physical/mental stress can cause hyperglycemia, one of the main characteristics of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

2. Other substances/ neurotoxins.

The phrase, consider your body a temple is often associated with what we consume in our diet. An even more effective approach in this regard is to expand that beyond what we eat and include everything that could potentially enter our bodies. For example, let's take a look under a typical kitchen cabinet. You will find potentially all forms of cleaning agents, air fresheners, and even pesticides. Numerous studies have been conducted showing how phthalates, synthetic musks, and chemical sensitizers have been found not just in household fragrances but also in cosmetics and even some foods.

Action Plan:

Examples of action items that are focused on maintaining a healthy diet and minimizing exposures to neurotoxins:

1. I will consistently eat a well-balanced diet, i.e., the Mediterranean or DASH diet, that emphasizes healthy proteins, fats, and low glycemic index (meaning carbs that do not rapidly increase blood sugar). If I do have a splurge of carbs, I will try to have them in a naturally occurring form versus a processed sugar form and eat some protein/fiber with it to minimize the insulin spike.

2. I will take a few moments to sit down and go through my cleaning supplies and eliminate any products that could potentially contain neurotoxins. For example, when I did my cleaning products purge, I got rid of fabric softeners and switched to wool dryer balls and vinegar in the softener tray of my washer. I also have gone to all-natural cleaning products like ammonia and vinegar. Caution with some of these products as they can still present hazards if mixed with others. Lastly, I now use only natural makeup, i.e., Burt’s bees products

3. I will have a nightly electronics vacation, meaning when I head to bed, as part of my sleep hygiene routine, I will leave electronics outside the bedroom. Making the bedroom a no-electronics zone has multiple benefits. An old-school analog alarm clock will still wake you on time but give you a much-needed break from our constant exposure to electronics.

4. I will avoid/minimize tobacco use as tobacco constricts blood flow which is unhealthy for the entire body, including the brain and central nervous system.

References specific to this article:

-Multicomponent analytical methodology to control phthalates, synthetic musks, fragrance allergens, and preservatives in perfumes:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21645712/

- Neurotoxicity of fragrance compounds: A review - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28683407

Diet: Eating system healthy foods and avoiding neurotoxins:

o Having a healthy gut biome is helpful in preventing cognitive decline (Cuervo-Zanatta et al., 2022, p. 699)

o Low carbohydrates, the Mediterranean diet, and the ketogenic diet have been linked with effective Alzheimer’s prevention measures. (Hersant & Grossberg, 2022) ;("Chronic colitis exacerbates NLRP3-dependent neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in the middle-aged brain," n.d.)

In terms of protection of the brain and maintenance of cognitive function, we need to consider two main Pathways - the foods we eat and other substances we ingest and are exposed to by inhalation or absorption through the skin or even through exposure to radiant toxins i.e. exposure from our cell phones and other electronic sources.