Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia
Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Huntington’s Disease, and other related neurological disorders cause plaques to accumulate in the brain, cause brain cells and their connections to deteriorate, and lead to declines in cognition, memory, and quality of life. There is no cure for these disorders, but several alternative therapies have been shown to significantly delay the onset and progression of these symptoms and have helped to reverse some of the physiological and clinical effects of the diseases. They do this by decreasing inflammation, improving blood flow and tissue oxygenation, removing and reducing plaque formation, and improving cellular regeneration. Here at Re-Gen Fitness and Recovery, we have several of these therapies, including:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Hyperbaric Oxygen is an effective way to improve the symptoms and course of Alzheimer’s Disease and other related neurological disorders. It’s been shown to increase brain blood flow and oxygenation while reducing inflammation. It also has the ability to promote neuroplasticity, which is the nervous system’s ability to create new connections, and has neuroprotective effects, which helps protect brain cells from further damage and degeneration. In one study of mice, 20 HBOT sessions were able to reduce Alzheimer’s plaques by 31.6%, and decreased their average size by 18.9%. In another study of individuals 65 years older with Alzheimer’s disease, 20 sessions led to an increase in cognitive function, motor function and independence of daily activities, with the effects lasting up to 3 months after treatments. Other studies examining 60 HBOT sessions showed the ability of HBOT to improve brain function while also decreasing inflammation and increasing brain blood flow.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)
PEMF is another effective therapy specifically designed for neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Research has shown its ability to improve brain activity and electrical signaling, to reduce brain plaques, to increase brain blood flow and oxygenation and its ability to decrease inflammation in the brain. Research has also shown its ability to improve mood and sleep, particularly in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. For instance, in one study, the cognitive ability of individuals with Alzhiemer’s disease was nearly 2.5 times greater than a control group after completing 30 1-hour sessions of PEMF. After 6 weeks, their cognitive ability was still nearly 2 times greater than the control group. In another study, just one 60 minute PEMF session was shown to improve specific genes related to Alzheimer’s Disease, which indicated its ability to stimulate both brain signaling and tissue regeneration.
Cryotherapy and Infrared Heat Therapy
Cryotherapy and Infrared Heat Therapy have also been shown to improve neurological function. In one study of individuals with dementia, adding 10 cryotherapy sessions to cognitive training increased cognitive function 3 times greater than just using cognitive training alone. Depression symptoms were also decreased twice as often when 10 cryotherapy sessions were included in normal treatment. Additionally, research has shown that infrared heat therapy can increase the production of “heat shock proteins” which provide a line of defense against the misfolding of proteins and help them to fold properly. This improves the brain’s ability to send signals and protects against its tissue’s damage and degeneration.
Targeted Nutritional Supplementation
At Re-Gen, we also utilize high quality nutritional supplements that have been shown to help reduce or reverse symptoms related to dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Research has shown that vitamin D3, omega-3s, and beta carotene (found in our Healthy Aging Blend), antioxidants like vitamin C, E, ginkgo biloba, and turmeric (found in our Antioxidant Blend), and B vitamins and amino acids (found in our Gut Health Blend) can improve cognitive function and reduce damage to brain tissue.
Guided Fitness and Flexibility Training
Fitness and flexibility are crucial to health, cognitive function, motor coordination, and mood. However, this can be difficult when physical and cognitive capacities are already being affected. At Re-Gen, we have many years of experience working with individuals suffering from these effects and have shown a consistent ability to improve these through our custom guided and fully supervised fitness programs.