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M. Jill Keenon is a Registered Nurse and Certified Integrative Health Coach. Her presentation about preventative health comes with a personal story. Jill's mother was living with Jill's family after her husband died. Not long after, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Later that day Jill found her mother lying down concerned not only for herself and her future, but of Jill's as well. Her mother had cared for her mother in the same manner. They decided to fight it. Jill learned what she could on her own, by saying, "I became my own guinea pig." Today, she feels sharper today at 63 than she did at 45! Contrary to popular opinion, cognitive decline is not normal. She shared some Alzheimer information: - Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia - about 70%.
- The destruction of the brain makes it so that messages sent to the neurons through synapses are either not sent or not able to receive.
- The decline in brain function is gradual
- Small decreases in the function of the brain causes major changes in the overall function.
- There are three types of Alzheimer's
- Type One - Inflammatory - short term inflammation is only good for cuts or infections. In the long term, the body shuts down and cannot run correctly.
- Type Two - Trophic - this is simply when hormones and nutrients are out of whack. blood sugar and thyroid levels should be checked along with all other hormones.
- Type Three - Toxic - toxins such as mold, Lyme Disease, and mercury.
Signs of the disease: - May start with "senior moments"
- Words become difficult at times
- Difficulty managing personal finances
- Wandering or getting lost
- Changes in sleep patterns
- continuously repeating stories
- personal care issues
- activities of daily life become difficult
- forgetting familiar people and their own personal story
In keeping with her theme of prevention, Jill said she's come to use her motto: "What's good for the brain is good for the rest of my body!" Changing some lifestyle choices can lead to better brain health, such as, addressing high fructose corn syrup intake, the standard American diet, diabetes, obesity (a major contributor), stress, not addressing gut health, lack of sleep, depression, and a steep hormone decline and stress hormone increase. Signs begin showing when about 10-25 blood chemistry values are suboptimal. Most people may have only 3-5 without symptoms. Jill said there is a tipping point and the brain can no longer accommodate the areas not pulling their weight. The best plan for fight any neuro threat is prevention and to reduce inflammation; optimize hormones, trophic factors and nutrients; eliminate toxins and begin restoration and protection of lost or dysfunctional synapses. A cognoscopy is a series of labs, cognitive tests, and personal history to evaluate what condition your brain is in. What's next? A inclusive program called ReCODE. The ReCODE program developed by Dr. Bredesen provides personalized information and resources for those experiencing cognitive decline who are seeing a reversal of symptoms and brain health. This includes brain training, inflammation, heal the gut, insulin resistance, exercise, sleep and stress along with toxins and hormonal imbalance all based on your results. The aim will be to get all your level to not just normal, but optimal. Addressing all abnormalities, the root cause of any inflammation, and follow as many steps as possible to help with the tipping point from synapse destruction to synapse preservation. Jill works closely with Dr. Bredesen who has an office in Northbrook. When faced with this kind of diagnosis, Jill encourages all of us to be interactive, proactive. Start as early as possible for the greatest chance of reversal. |
