Dr. Dean Ornish became famous in the 90s for his unusual approach to coronary artery disease. The doctor managed to reverse it only by changing the patients’ lifestyle. Dr. Ornish is currently working on a new project. A specialist would like to prove that the same methods can slow down or even reverse Alzheimer’s disease.
- Dr. Dean Ornish became famous for his clinical research, in which he proved that there is a chance to reverse coronary artery disease
- The professor argues that almost every chronic disease can be reversed by changing the lifestyle: proper diet, stress reduction, physical activity and support of loved ones
- Currently, an expert is working on a project that would show that by changing lifestyle, it is also possible to slow down or even reverse Alzheimer’s disease
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
In 1990, internal medicine specialist Dr. Dean Ornish did what no other doctor could do. He conducted a clinical trial that used advanced imaging scans to show that CAD can only be reversed with diet, exercise, stress reduction, and social support.
Today, a professor of medicine at the University of California in San Francisco wants to help the brain in this way as well. At his Institute for Preventive Medicine Research, he studies the same four aspects of lifestyle. This time, however, he wants to see if, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, they can slow down, stop, and even reverse the disease without the use of drugs, devices, or surgery.
“What is good for the heart is also good for the brain,” said Ornish. «Previous studies have shown that moderate lifestyle changes can slow the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. So my hypothesis is that if we increase their intensity, we will manage to stop or even reverse this disease »- argues the professor.
The influence of lifestyle on chronic diseases
As for Ornish’s heart research, a small number of people participated (28). The professor watched her for five years. Some criticized his work and believed that it was too small a group to fail to follow a diet. It was quite restrictive. Dr. Ornish believed that only 10 percent. your daily calories can come from fat. Therefore, he prohibited the subjects from consuming animal products (except egg whites and one glass of non-fat milk or yogurt each day).
The basis of the diet he recommended were fruits, vegetables and legumes. Ornish also allowed the consumption of whole grains and small amounts of nuts and seeds. In addition, the professor eliminated refined carbohydrates, oils and an excessive amount of caffeine from the diets of his students. In return, he allowed them to drink up to two cups of green tea a day. “It is essentially a vegan diet, low in fat and sugar, with foods that are as close to nature as possible” – explained the expert.
Do a well-being test suite to assess fitness and overall health
In addition to a proper diet, the people who took part in the experiment had to spend at least an hour a day on “coping with stress”. The professor meant by this, for example, yoga sessions, meditation or stretching. He also required strength training, walking, or other aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day or an hour three times a week. There was also an absolute ban on smoking among the studied group.
Dr. Ornish also encouraged his students to create the so-called support groups. Thanks to this, they could share their worries and doubts with other people at any time. The professor considered this an integral part of his warding-off plan. According to him, people who are lonely, depressed or isolated are three to ten times more likely to suffer from various diseases and even death. “Why? Partly because when you feel lonely and depressed you smoke more, overeat, stop exercising and do other unhealthy things »explains the expert.
Over the past two decades, Ornish’s research has shown that the same four-part program can lower blood sugar levels and the risk of heart disease in diabetic patients. It also reduces the growth of prostate cancer cells and alleviates depression. It also reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol by almost 40 percent.
Where does the success of this project come from? “All chronic diseases share the same basic biological mechanisms: permanent inflammation, oxidative stress, changes in the microbiome, changes in gene expression, overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, changes in immune function, and so on,” says Dr. Ornish. “And each of them is directly influenced by what we eat, how we react to stress, how much we exercise and how much love and support we have” – adds the expert.
Are all these changes enough to slow or even reverse the decline in cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease? Time will tell. The Ornish study is still ongoing and all data must be collected, analyzed and verified before results can be presented.