When Judy Benjamin began forgetting her own phone number, she knew something was amiss. The 67-year-old retiree from Norfolk, Virginia, feared she was displaying early signs of Alzheimer’s, a disease that had already impacted her family. Neurological tests confirmed her fears: she had Alzheimer’s disease. Determined to combat the debilitating condition, Benjamin sought the expertise of Dr. Dale Bredesen, an internationally recognized neurologist who believes Alzheimer’s can be both reversible and preventable.
Dr. Bredesen’s approach contrasts sharply with conventional Alzheimer’s treatments, which often rely heavily on medication. Instead, he advocates for a holistic strategy that considers the disease’s potential links to various metabolic and lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, and sleep. His method involves comprehensive testing to identify individual imbalances, followed by personalized interventions including dietary changes, supplements, exercise, sleep optimization, stress reduction, and addressing environmental toxins.
A New Approach to Alzheimer’s Treatment
Benjamin began her treatment plan in 2011, and within months, she noticed her memory returning. It took just over a year, she claims, to fully reverse her symptoms of the progressive brain disorder. Despite Dr. Bredesen’s claims, the Alzheimer’s Society remains skeptical, noting that there are no clinically validated methods proven to reverse Alzheimer’s disease. They emphasize the need for larger sample sizes, replication of protocols, and more peer-reviewed research to substantiate such claims.
While some experts call for further evidence, Benjamin insists she is living proof of the protocol’s efficacy. “People often ask specifically what I did to reverse cognitive decline,” she shared with the Daily Mail. “The answer isn’t simple because I had to completely change my lifestyle, food, sleep, and exercise.”
Dietary Changes and Environmental Detox
Research supports the notion that diet can significantly impact cognitive decline. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, like those found in fish, flaxseed, fruits, and vegetables, are linked to better cognitive function and a lower risk of dementia. Conversely, diets high in saturated and trans fats, along with ultra-processed foods, may contribute to cognitive decline.
Benjamin embraced a nutrient-rich diet, focusing on organic, sugar-free, and non-processed foods. “No sugar. No junk. No regrets. Just real food, real nutrients, and real results,” she explained. Additionally, an environmental toxins assessment revealed high levels of mycotoxins in her moldy home. These toxic substances, produced by fungi, pose health risks and may harm the brain. Benjamin had the mold professionally removed and underwent a detox protocol, drinking plenty of water and focusing on nutrient-dense foods.
Improving Sleep and Mental Fitness
Sleep plays a crucial role in brain health, particularly in clearing amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer’s. Benjamin worked diligently to improve her sleep, adopting a routine that included winding down in the evening, dimming lights, and turning off electronics. She also began a daily meditation practice to reduce stress, took up yoga, and engaged in brain training exercises using the BrainHQ program.
Activities like learning new skills, playing mentally stimulating games, and engaging in social activities can help build a reserve of brain cells and connections, potentially fending off dementia. Despite the lack of scientific backing, Benjamin’s experience suggests that lifestyle changes can have a profound impact on cognitive health.
The Financial and Social Aspects of Treatment
While Dr. Bredesen’s protocol offers hope, it also involves significant financial investment. The Alzheimer’s Society warns that the costs of the program, testing, supplements, alternative therapies, and special diets can be substantial, with most treatments not covered by health plans. Despite these costs, Benjamin, a former anthropologist and board-certified health and wellness coach, pursued the protocol and experienced gradual improvements in her Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Over a decade later, Benjamin claims she has fully reversed her Alzheimer’s. To raise awareness, she embarked on a 3,000-mile walk across America, starting in San Diego, California, and aiming to finish in Saint Augustine, Florida, by October 5. Along the way, she has been joined by friends, family, and strangers inspired by her journey.
Walking Across America: A Testament to Resilience
Now 81, Benjamin has walked over 1,000 miles to Sierra Blanca, Texas. She attributes her ability to walk 17-22 miles a day without soreness to years of focusing on physical fitness. Her daily routine includes yoga, biking, gym workouts, and using a walking platform under her stand-up desk. “My hope is that by walking 3,000 miles across America at age 81, I will demonstrate to others that age is just a number,” she said. “I also want to let everyone know that memory loss can be reversed if caught in time and if one is willing to adopt a healthy lifestyle.”
As Benjamin continues her journey, she reflects on the incredible people she has met along the way, many of whom have been touched by Alzheimer’s. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential impact of lifestyle changes on cognitive health and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.
