Modifiable Lifestyle Changes Can Help Stave Off Cognitive Decline

Background
 
Over the past 20 years, medicine has made incredible advances, and those of us in practice can attest to the incredible ways in which we can extend the life of our patients, beyond what we could have ever anticipated in medical school. But with longer lives comes the spectrum of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, namely dementia—an umbrella term for a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In early June, a rare, albeit small (n=51), randomized clinical trial was published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy that determined the effectiveness of lifestyle changes on the progression of MCI and AD, and I am inspired by the findings.
 
It is estimated that 40% of global dementia cases are related to 12 modifiable risk factors. (Many of which also impact heart disease. Remember, what affects the heart affects the brain!). Several previous, small studies have shown the effectiveness of intensive lifestyle changes on the progression of MCI and early AD, but none had a control group nor were they randomized. That is what sets this study apart.
 
What did the study address?
 
Over the course of 20 weeks, participants and their spouses or study partners adapted the following lifestyle changes:

• A diet of minimally processed, plant-based, whole foods (no Beyond Meat here—remember, some plant-based foods can still be highly processed!), low in added sugar, refined carbs and harmful fats. Calories were unrestricted.
  
  
• Taking select* supplements. *Please consult me before divesting yourself of hard-earned money prior to taking something that may not be appropriate for your biochemistry or that interacts with medications prescribed for you.
  
  
• Moderate daily exercise, such as 30 minutes of walking or other cardio exercise, and mild strength training three times per week. Specific exercise guidelines were based on age and fitness level.
  
  
• Stress management via an hour of meditation, gentle yoga or breathwork daily.
  
  
• Support groups for participants and their spouses or study partners, 3 days a week.

 
In the study, all interventions were supported via 4-hour Zoom sessions three times a week for the participant and spouse or study partner.
 
The study aimed to determine if:

• these specific multi-modal intensive lifestyle interventions could affect MCI or cognitive function in cases of early dementia
  
  
• there was a correlation between the degree in lifestyle changes and the change in cognitive function
  
  
• the degree in lifestyle change affected the degree of biomarkers

 
What did they find?

• There were significant differences between the study group and control with regard to all four cognition and function tests, either by improvement over the control group, or less deterioration than the control group.
  
  
• There was significant correlation between the degree of lifestyle change (how closely participants adhered to the protocol, i.e. a dose response) and clinically relevant biomarkers for AD/MCI and cognition and function tests.
  
  
• Only the study group experienced positive microbiome changes.

 
Interestingly, in one of the biomarkers, the degree of change was similar to that affected by the clinical trials for new intravenous medications!
 
My takeaway
 
This study provides yet another reason for us to eat real food, move more, breathe better and connect more—all of which have multiple benefits to our health and wellbeing.
 
Let’s continue to work together on the path toward better health and wellness. Don’t forget, my concierge members also have access to the Concierge Choice Physicians Motivated Mondays program which provides a year’s worth of mini-resolutions focused on the prevention of cognitive decline through lifestyle changes. To sign up for the weekly emails, please contact CCP’s Erica Rios: [email protected]
 
Click here to visit past editions of Motivated Mondays.
 
Study source:
Ornish, D., Madison, C., Kivipelto, M. et al. Effects of intensive lifestyle changes on the progression of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Alz Res Therapy 16, 122 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-024-01482-z
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