How can you decrease your Alzheimer’s risk?

I’ve warned for years that pathogenic bacteria in your gums and environmental toxins are directly linked to Alzheimer’s.

The FDA’s apologists deny it. They blame Alzheimer’s on genetics and claim you’re defenseless.

But trials at my clinic and the latest Alzheimer’s research from New York University prove otherwise.

It turns out you have an early warning system that can alert you to Alzheimer’s.

Just look in the mirror and smile. How do your gums look?

Are they pink and tightly lined up with your teeth? Or puffy… with deposits of plaque around the gumline?

What you see in the mirror could reflect your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Let me explain.

Bad Oral Bacteria Raise Alzheimer’s Risk 400%

Researchers at New York University wanted to know if people with gum disease have the amyloid plaques characteristic of Alzheimer’s.

To find out they recruited 48 subjects, aged 65-plus, with normal mental function.

They collected samples of periodontal bacteria and used spinal taps to detect amyloid plaques.

In my bestselling book The Doctor’s Heart Cure, I document how harmful periodontal bacteria seep into the bloodstream,1 causing systemic inflammation and chronic disease.

That’s why I wasn’t surprised when NYU researchers found patients with high levels of bad periodontal bacteria were 400% more likely to also have amyloid plaques.

So researchers are finally coming around to my point of view on this… pathogenic gum bacteria are directly linked to Alzheimer’s.

4 Critical Steps to Preventing Alzheimer’s

Here’s how to protect your brain from periodontal bacteria:

    1. Keep your mouth a “clean machine.” Brush at least twice a day for 3-4 minutes each time. Floss regularly — and be sure to remove plaque that accumulates at the gumline. Visit your dentist at least twice a year for deep cleanings — more if you have gum disease. And check the labels on your medications. Some of them dry out your mouth, leaving your gums vulnerable. I suggest you discuss healthier alternatives with your doctor.

 

    1. Supplement with CoQ10. CoQ10 intake is one of the first things I check when new patients walk in the door. I noticed years ago that gum problems vanish in my patients taking CoQ10. One study found 50 to 75 mg daily of CoQ10 stopped gum disease in its tracks within days.2 I recommend 50 mg a day in the ubiquinol form… It’s 8 times more powerful than the older form with a similar name, ubiquinone.

 

    1. Nurture good gut flora. Periodontal bacteria naturally migrate into your intestine. Once there, they alter your gut microbiome, making it less diverse and more subject to inflammation.3 A healthy gut biome, on the other hand, reduces the risk of the leaky gut syndrome that triggers system-wide inflammation. So, look for foods like kimchi, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, and unsweetened yogurt that foster a healthy gut microbiome. I also recommend probiotics and prebiotics… but check to be sure you’re getting diverse strains of friendly bacteria.

 

  1. Treat yourself to “mary bush” tea. I learned about “mary bush” from my herbalist friend Ivey Harris in Jamaica. Studies show it cuts down on plaque and gingivitis, protecting teeth and gums.4 You’ll find it online and in specialty stores… look for the plant named ocimum gratissimum (clove basil). Just add half an ounce of the dry plant to a pint and a half of hot water. But be sure to let it cool first… hot beverages can soften your enamel.

    Keeping your gums healthy is a very smart move. I’m sure your brain will agree!

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

Al Sears, MD, CNS

References:

1. The Doctor’s Heart Cure — How to Build an Impregnable Heart Today by Dr. Al Sears, MD. (2004), pp. 169-172.
2. Prakash, S., Sunitha, J., & Hans, M. (2010). Role of coenzyme Q10 as an antioxidant and bioenergizer in periodontal diseases. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 42(6), 334–337.
3. Lourenςo, T. G. B., Spencer, S. J., Alm, E. J., & Colombo, A. P. V. (2018). Defining the gut microbiota in individuals with periodontal diseases: an exploratory study. Journal of Oral Microbiology, 10(1).
4. Luis da Silva Pereira, S., & et al. (2010, November 1). Clinical effect of a mouth rinse containing Ocimum gratissimum on plaque and gingivitis control.