This is a brave book, based on decades of careful work and clinical success with clients. The author is going against the medical establishment that relies almost completely on prescription medicine. The author proposes a prudent evaluation, followed by corrections to diet, lifestyle, and addition of supplements.

Bredesen has shown that the approach works. Nothing else has ever worked. Hence this is one of the most important books you may ever read!

I read a lot of nonfiction books per year. And, many of them are very informative and interesting. But, this one is among the ones on top of my list in terms of its impact at the individual and societal levels.

This book is bound to be a boon for genetic testing (23andMe, etc.).

Before Bredesen’s protocol to treatAlzheimer’s disease (AD) no one had much interest in taking a genetic test that would divulge that one is at a very high risk of a disease that is truly irreversible. Such a finding would be devastating for the individual and his close family.

Now, in our new post-Bredesen era the above proposition is obsolete. And, genetic tests are now immensely valuable. That is because they inform one of their respective and potential high risk for a disease that is fully reversible if addressed reasonably early. Given that, one is far better knowing what could happen down the road and taking all the measures to prevent the onset or development of AD.

I read this book right after reading “The Plant Paradox” by Steven Gundry, another formidable book. I am glad I read these two books consecutively. This is because the nutrition guidelines imparted by both doctors are for the most part consistent with each other. That is even though Gundry is really focused on overall health. Meanwhile, Bredesen is exclusively focused on the prevention and reversal of AD. However, it is clear that whatever is good for your brain and for preventing AD is very much good for everything else.

Bredesen’s understanding of AD is second to none. His taxonomy of the three different types of AD is really original and interesting. The three AD types include: 
Type 1 triggered by inflammation due to excess simple carbohydrate intake (sugars). It is associated with insulin resistance, diabetes. It typically hits people in their 60s; 
Type 2 is due to inadequate neurotropic support of the brain. It is associated with a deficiency in hormones (including Thyroid and gender-related hormones). It typically hits one in their 70s; and 
Type 3 is toxin related AD. It often hits people earlier in their 50s. It is triggered by poisonous substances like Mercury, arsenic, or germs like Lyme disease, mold, or toxic bacteria.

Fairly early in the book, Bredesen explains in detail what AD is. At its essence. AD occurs when an enzyme, Protease, cuts a protein, Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), into four fragments instead of just two. When cut into four fragments, the modified APP will cause Amyloid formation within the brain. And, will eventually cause synaptic loss and synaptic cell death resulting in AD. When instead, Protease cuts APP into just two fragments, it will support synaptic formation and prevent AD.

Bredesen’s protocol (ReCODE) can reverse all three types of AD. And, it relies mainly on nutrition, lifestyle changes, and supplements. He has developed and tested his protocol on hundreds of patients. Most of the success stories make for really impressive narrative.

The last chapter in the book is really interesting. Here Bredesen reveals the resistance he has encountered from the medical establishment that still wants to believe that AD is entirely not reversible. And, that nutrition can’t possibly cure this disease. The chapter starts with a famous quote from Max Planck (one of the fathers of quantum mechanics) that says it all: “Science advances one funeral at a time.”