In a recent exploration of cutting-edge approaches to cognitive health, Dr. Heather Sandison, ND, founder of North County Natural Medicine and Marama, shared her profound insights on the “Neuronoodle: Dementia and Alzheimer’s” podcast. Dr. Sandison’s journey into the realm of brain health began through her deep engagement with naturopathy and biohacking, influenced by her observations and experiences growing up in environments impacted by Western lifestyle changes. Her career is dedicated to redefining the treatment and management of cognitive disorders, leveraging the principles of functional, naturopathic, and integrative medicine.
During the podcast, Dr. Sandison discussed the limitations of conventional Alzheimer’s treatments and introduced her holistic approach, which is fundamentally different from the prevalent disease-centric medical model. This approach not only addresses the symptoms but also the underlying causes of cognitive decline, integrating lifestyle changes, environmental adjustments, and community engagement to enhance overall brain health.
Her insights are particularly relevant in the context of recent FDA approvals and the medical community’s growing interest in non-allopathic treatment regimens. Dr. Sandison’s work at Marama is a testament to her belief in the potential of seniors and the value of preventive care, aiming to harness the full capabilities of individuals at every stage of life to contribute meaningfully to society. This introduction into her philosophy and methods sets the stage for a deeper dive into the transformative potential of holistic and integrated approaches to treating cognitive diseases.
Cognitive Mental Health
Cognitive mental health, encompassing the spectrum of cognitive functions and disorders, has become a focal point of contemporary healthcare discussions. As populations age globally, the incidence of cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s has surged, elevating public and scientific concerns. Alzheimer’s, a leading cause of dementia, poses significant challenges not only due to its debilitating impact on patients and their families but also due to the substantial economic burden it places on healthcare systems. In response to these challenges, there is a burgeoning interest in exploring alternative and preventive measures. These measures aim to curb the progression of cognitive decline through innovative approaches that go beyond conventional pharmacological treatments. This shift towards preventive strategies underscores a transformative period in managing and potentially reversing cognitive disorders, promising a new horizon in mental health care.
Marama: A Novel Approach to Cognitive Health
Marama is a pioneering residential care facility that focuses on holistic treatment methods for cognitive decline, guided by the innovative research of Dr. Dale Bredesen on Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment. Dr. Heather Sandison, the visionary behind Marama, provides detailed insights into how this unique facility integrates a broad spectrum of strategies aimed at reversing cognitive decline from the ground up.
- Rooted in Dr. Dale Bredesen’s Research: Dr. Sandison discusses how Marama has been deeply influenced by Dr. Bredesen’s work, which suggests that Alzheimer’s is not caused by a single factor but is a complex condition influenced by multiple variables such as diet, lifestyle, toxin exposure, and more. Marama’s treatment approach mirrors this complexity by addressing all these factors comprehensively.
- A Multi-Therapeutic Approach: Under Dr. Sandison’s direction, Marama implements a variety of treatment protocols that are tailored to each resident’s specific needs. These include:
- Dietary modifications to reduce inflammation and improve overall brain health.
- Physical exercise routines that are customized to enhance blood flow to the brain.
- Optimized sleep hygiene practices to ensure that the brain has time to recover and regenerate.
- Reduction of toxin exposure by controlling environmental factors within the facility.
- Critical View on Conventional Treatments: Dr. Sandison articulates a critical perspective on conventional Alzheimer’s treatments such as Aduhelm, citing their invasive nature and limited effectiveness. Marama was developed as an alternative that offers more than symptomatic relief, focusing instead on underlying causes of cognitive decline.
- Emphasis on Prevention and Early Intervention: Marama’s philosophy extends beyond treating existing cognitive decline; it emphasizes preventing its onset. Dr. Sandison advocates for initiating preventive measures early—targeting individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s with lifestyle adjustments that can significantly deter the development of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders.
- Research and Observational Trials: Marama not only applies these advanced health strategies but also participates in ongoing research to refine them. Dr. Sandison mentions conducting trials similar to those led by Dr. Bredesen, aiming to gather empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of their multifaceted approach to cognitive health.
Dr. Sandison’s Marama facility represents an evolutionary step in treating cognitive decline, combining rigorous scientific research with a holistic approach to care. This model seeks not just to manage symptoms but to foster a robust environment in which cognitive health can thrive, potentially setting a new standard in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions.
The Role of Lifestyle and Environmental Factors
The approach at Marama, as detailed by Dr. Heather Sandison, places significant emphasis on the interplay between lifestyle choices and environmental factors in maintaining and enhancing cognitive health. This perspective aligns with Dr. Dale Bredesen’s research, which identifies multiple modifiable factors that can either promote brain health or contribute to cognitive decline.
- Impact of Diet and Exercise:
- Diet: Dr. Sandison highlights the critical role of nutrition in brain health, advocating for diets rich in anti-inflammatory foods that support neural function and reduce the risk of cognitive disorders. The dietary protocols at Marama are designed to eliminate processed foods and sugars while emphasizing whole foods, healthy fats, and antioxidants that support brain cell renewal and function.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity is another pillar of Marama’s approach. Exercise not only improves blood flow to the brain but also enhances the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. Dr. Sandison emphasizes routines that integrate both cardiovascular and strength-training elements, tailored to the individual’s capabilities and health status.
- Environmental Toxins and Their Impact:
- Dr. Sandison and Dr. Bredesen both stress the significance of environmental factors in cognitive health, particularly the role of toxins. Neurotoxic agents such as heavy metals (like mercury), organic pollutants, and certain agricultural chemicals (like glyphosate) have been shown to contribute to neurodegenerative processes. Marama’s environment is carefully controlled to minimize residents’ exposure to these harmful substances. This includes the use of non-toxic building materials and organic food, which reduce the burden of toxins that residents might otherwise accumulate.
- The facility also addresses indoor air quality and water purity, recognizing that pollutants commonly found in these mediums can subtly impact cognitive function over time.
- A Comprehensive Environmental Health Strategy:
- Recognizing the complex interactions between various environmental exposures and lifestyle factors, Marama employs a holistic strategy that encompasses all aspects of a resident’s life. This includes everything from the macro level of diet and exercise down to the micro level of mitigating exposure to EMFs (electromagnetic fields) and ensuring that even household cleaning products are non-toxic.
Sandison’s application of Dr. Bredesen’s findings into the daily operations at Marama showcases a dynamic and responsive approach to cognitive healthcare. By modifying lifestyle factors and controlling environmental exposures, Marama seeks not just to treat but to prevent cognitive decline, thereby enhancing the quality of life for its residents and potentially reversing the effects of cognitive impairments. This proactive and preventive model marks a significant shift towards a more sustainable and effective management of cognitive health.
Challenges and Innovations in Alzheimer’s Treatment
In addressing the challenges and innovations in Alzheimer’s treatment, Dr. Heather Sandison offers a critical perspective on the current treatment landscape, particularly focusing on the controversial FDA approval of Aduhelm and the broader implications of such conventional treatments. She contrasts these with the potential benefits of functional medicine approaches, emphasizing a more comprehensive and personalized strategy.
- Controversies in Conventional Treatments:
- FDA Approval of Aduhelm: Dr. Sandison expresses significant concern about the FDA’s decision to approve Aduhelm, a treatment aimed at reducing amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s patients. She points out, “The FDA, the way they approved it, they opened the door for many, many people to get it, including people with highly progressed dementia, when the only potential benefit that’s been shown, which even that is questionable, is with mild cognitive impairment.” Dr. Sandison criticizes the broad approval of the drug despite limited efficacy and the absence of clear evidence supporting its use in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.
- Effectiveness and Side Effects: Further discussing Aduhelm, Dr. Sandison notes the drug’s serious side effects, including brain swelling and microhemorrhages, which can worsen the patient’s condition rather than improve it. “And the side effects include hemorrhages, micro hemorrhages in the brain and brain swelling, right? That can lead to confusion, which is not cognitive function. It’s not cognitive enhancement when you have more confusion.”
- Assessment of Conventional vs. Functional Medicine Approaches:
- Questioning the Amyloid Hypothesis: Dr. Sandison critically assesses the conventional focus on amyloid plaques as the primary cause of Alzheimer’s. She states, “What we have found over and over again, after billions of dollars and decades of really smart people’s time going into this, what we see is that when you remove beta amyloid plaques, you actually get a progression of disease.” This observation challenges the prevailing hypothesis and suggests a need to reconsider the approach to Alzheimer’s treatment.
- Advantages of Functional Medicine: Dr. Sandison advocates for a functional medicine approach, which looks at Alzheimer’s as a multifactorial disease influenced by lifestyle, environmental toxins, and other underlying causes rather than just the presence of amyloid plaques. “We take all of these variables, we measure them, and then we address them on an individual level,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of a personalized treatment plan that addresses the specific needs and health profile of each patient.
Dr. Sandison’s critique highlights significant flaws in the current Alzheimer’s treatment paradigm and underscores the potential of functional medicine to offer more effective, less harmful solutions. By focusing on comprehensive, individualized care, functional medicine approaches promise a more hopeful future for Alzheimer’s patients, shifting the focus from symptom management to genuine healing and reversal of cognitive decline.
Marama’s Integrated Care Model
Dr. Heather Sandison provides an in-depth look at Marama’s integrated care model, which she designed to comprehensively address the needs of individuals experiencing cognitive decline. The model combines day-to-day therapeutic activities with robust support systems to enhance the overall well-being of its residents.
- Daily Operations and Therapeutic Activities:
- Structured Environment: Dr. Sandison explains, “From the time you wake up in the morning to the time you go to bed at night, the entire day is built around how can we support your brain.” This structured approach ensures that every aspect of a resident’s day contributes to their cognitive health.
- Biohacking Techniques: Marama utilizes advanced biohacking techniques, such as red light therapy and oxygen therapy, to support brain health. These methods are integrated into the daily routines of residents to optimize their therapeutic impact.
- Physical and Mental Exercises: Residents engage in both physical and mental exercises tailored to their abilities. These activities are designed to enhance brain function and slow the progression of cognitive decline.
- Nutritional Support: The dietary aspect of the care model involves providing organic, non-toxic food. Dr. Sandison emphasizes the importance of diet in brain health and ensures that meals are planned to support the nutritional needs of the residents.
- Support Systems and Health Coaching:
- Health Coaching: Each resident benefits from the guidance of a health coach. Dr. Sandison mentions, “There’s a health coach involved for everyone in these trials.” Health coaches play a crucial role in educating residents about lifestyle changes and supporting them through the process of integrating these changes into their daily lives.
- Comprehensive Medical and Lifestyle Assessment: Dr. Sandison notes the importance of a thorough workup, which includes a variety of tests to pinpoint individual health needs and tailor interventions accordingly. “We’re doing lots of labs…looking at airway, sinuses, dental infections, head trauma, and of course, hippocampal volume,” she details.
- Emphasis on Community and Engagement: A key component of Marama’s care model is fostering a sense of community and ensuring that residents engage with caregivers and their peers. This social interaction is vital for mental health and is integrated into the fabric of daily life at the facility.
- Customized Medical Treatments: Treatment plans at Marama are highly personalized. Dr. Sandison points out the customization of interventions, from medications and supplements to hormonal treatments, all tailored to optimize cognitive function based on individual health profiles.
Dr. Sandison’s description of Marama’s integrated care model illustrates a holistic and meticulous approach to dementia care, which not only addresses medical needs but also emphasizes the importance of lifestyle, community, and daily engagement in maintaining and enhancing cognitive health.
The Cost of Care: Economic and Health Implications
Dr. Heather Sandison delves into a critical analysis of the economic and health implications of Alzheimer’s treatment, highlighting the stark differences between traditional pharmaceutical approaches and comprehensive care models such as Marama. She provides a thoughtful exploration of how these differing approaches not only affect patients but also have broader impacts on healthcare systems and economic resources.
- Comparison of Costs and Outcomes:
- Traditional Alzheimer’s Drugs: Dr. Sandison points out the substantial costs associated with traditional Alzheimer’s drugs, particularly referencing the controversial Aduhelm. “It’s $56,000 a year for this drug, just for the drug,” she notes, underscoring the financial burden on patients and healthcare systems. Additionally, she raises concerns about the efficacy of such treatments, stating that despite the high costs, the outcomes are often disappointing, with drugs like Aduhelm failing to halt the progression of the disease and, in some cases, even worsening conditions due to severe side effects such as brain swelling and hemorrhages.
- Comprehensive Care Models Like Marama: In contrast, Marama’s model, which integrates lifestyle changes, environmental adjustments, and personalized medical care, offers a more cost-effective and outcome-oriented approach. Dr. Sandison highlights that the annual cost for participants in Marama’s comprehensive care trials is around $25,000, significantly lower than the costs of traditional drug treatments. Moreover, preliminary results suggest better disease management and potential reversal of cognitive decline, making it a more viable economic and health alternative.
- Broader Economic Impact on Healthcare Systems:
- Sustainability and Efficiency: Dr. Sandison discusses the unsustainable financial impact of traditional Alzheimer’s treatments on healthcare systems. The high costs associated with pharmaceutical treatments, coupled with their limited efficacy, impose a heavy burden on public health resources and insurance systems. In contrast, comprehensive care models like Marama potentially reduce long-term healthcare costs by improving overall patient health and reducing the need for expensive crisis interventions and hospitalizations.
- Preventive Care Savings: The preventive approach adopted by Marama also contributes to broader economic benefits. By focusing on early intervention and lifestyle modifications, Marama’s model aims to reduce the incidence and severity of Alzheimer’s disease, leading to substantial savings in healthcare expenditures. Preventive care not only delays the onset of severe symptoms but also reduces the need for more intensive and costly medical interventions later on.
- Impact on Public Health Policy: Dr. Sandison suggests that the success of comprehensive care models should prompt a reevaluation of public health policies and funding allocations. Investing in preventive and holistic care models could lead to better health outcomes and more sustainable healthcare spending, particularly in the context of an aging population and the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease.
Update 2024:
The Center for Drug Evaluation and Review recently announced a significant development regarding the use of Aduhelm. According to their statement, “Patients can continue treatment with Aduhelm until November 1, 2024. Patients taking Aduhelm should contact their health care provider to discuss treatment options.” This indicates a discontinuation of Aduhelm treatment post-November 2024, which could significantly impact patients currently dependent on this therapy. The FDA added, “The FDA is generally unable to discuss existing or potential applications,” suggesting a shift in treatment protocols and possibly an opening for alternative and potentially more sustainable approaches like those practiced at Marama.
Dr. Sandison’s insights into the economic and health implications of different Alzheimer’s treatment models highlight the need for a shift towards more sustainable, effective, and preventive healthcare strategies. By focusing on comprehensive care models like Marama, there is potential not only to improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s but also to alleviate the financial pressures on healthcare systems, creating a more viable future for managing chronic diseases.
Conclusion
In the “Neuronoodle: Dementia and Alzheimer’s” podcast featuring Dr. Heather Sandison, founder of North County Natural Medicine and Marama, we gained profound insights into how lifestyle and environmental interventions can revolutionize the management of cognitive diseases. Dr. Sandison’s holistic approach integrates dietary modifications, physical activity, and environmental care, offering a promising alternative to traditional Alzheimer’s treatments.
The discussion emphasized the critical importance of early intervention and preventive care in cognitive health. Adjusting lifestyle factors early can enhance brain function and potentially reverse the progression of diseases like Alzheimer’s. This provides hope and a higher quality of life for those affected.
This conversation serves as a call to action for the medical community and health policymakers to embrace and integrate these holistic methods into mainstream medical practices. Embracing comprehensive, preventive healthcare models like those championed by Dr. Sandison at Marama could dramatically improve treatment outcomes for cognitive disorders and reduce the economic burden on healthcare systems. As we look toward the future, it is clear that such shifts could be key to overcoming some of the most challenging aspects of cognitive diseases.
