How to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease And Other Cognitive Conditions | The Proof Podcast EP

When it comes to taking control of our health, embracing a comprehensive view and long-term focus is paramount. Looking towards our future, and reflecting on our family history, neurodegenerative diseases can be a significant cause for concern for many of us. In Episode #263, the exceptional Drs Ayesha and Dean Sherzai return to The Proof, delving deeper into the complex world of neurodegenerative diseases.
👇 Visit The Proof website for the full show notes and supporting studies. 👇 theproof.com/podcast/
Dr Dean Sherzai is a behavioural neurologist and neuroscientist who has dedicated his life to behavioural change models at the community and population levels. Dr Ayesha Sherzai is a distinguished vascular neurologist and research scientist focused on empowering her patients and their communities. Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai are the authors of two best-selling books, The Alzheimer's Solution (2017, HarperCollins) and The 30-Day Alzheimer's Solution (2021, HarperCollins). They are currently leading the largest community-based brain health initiative in the country.
Specifically, we discuss:
00:00 - Intro
04:11 - Drs. Ayesha and Dean play True or False
05:47 - Is amyloid plaque the primary cause of Alzheimer's?
07:11 - Whole grains, gluten, and brain health
14:11 - Artificial intelligence for Alzheimer's disease
17:47 - Drs. Ayesha and Dean on Melbourne
20:35 - Is olive oil good for brain health?
24:56 - What's the beef with red meat?
35:44 - Keeping the brain healthy with omega 3 fatty acids
48:58 - APOE4 and omega 3 supplementation
55:12 - Cognitive changes in midlife
59:35 - Reaction to Dr. Michael Klapper's U-turn on omega 3 supplementation
1:02:52 - Facts on choline
1:08:30 - Understanding neurodegenerative diseases
1:18:24 - Inheriting frontotemporal dementia: what are your chances?
1:21:04 - Lifestyle vs. genetics: debunking myths about dementia risk
1:28:36 - Healthy habits for a healthy brain
1:37:18 - Close relationships & cognitive resilience prevent dementia
1:50:17 - Understanding amyloid plaques and Alzheimer's progression
2:00:10 - Amyloid hypothesis under scrutiny
2:06:52 - Biomarkers and cutting-edge techniques for Alzheimer's detection
2:21:04 - How to prevent cognitive decline
2:24:00 - Homocysteine, CRISPR, and the future of personalized medicine
2:29:54 - Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease
2:44:47 - Depression and anxiety
2:50:44 - Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) & Guillain-Barré
2:56:28 - Unpacking Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
3:06:58 - Outro
Connect:
- Instagram: / thebraindocs
- Facebook: / thebraindocs
- Twitter: / the_brain_docs
- TikTok: / thebraindocs
- Website: thebraindocs.com/
- Podcast: thebraindocs.com/podcasts/
- Past episodes: theproof.com/tag/ayesha-sherzai/
If you have any additional questions you would like answered in the future, let me know in the comments.
Optimise your health with InsideTracker’s biomarker analysis. Get exclusive access to InsideTracker’s new ApoB test, and a significant discount at insidetracker.com/simon.
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Enjoy, friends.
Simon
====
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[@michelle_cen]

I love the Sherzais! Thank you for interviewing them!

[@tlam3309]

I love these two even more now they have professed their love for Melbourne!

[@Joy80JJ]

Thank you Simon for having Braindocs on. I always learn from your interviews & they have helped me to be 90% as of now plant based. Still working on it.

[@lilliangoertzel5609]

Terry Wahls reversed ms for herself andvsome others. She is active andvno longer in a wheelchair.

[@arleenm7367]

Thanks much for the great interview!

[@samyuktagovind8748]

Hey Simon. That's so thoughtful of you to ask question on behalf of single people. Thank you so much. That really made me feel better

[@sittingfrogleg]

Great interview, the braindocs are always a treat to learn from, thank you Simon!

[@plants_and_wellness1574]

Such amazing people and a great podcast ❤

[@thisisyourfinalwarning]

One of my fave episodes, thanks Simon!

[@burcubaykal6092]

Such a great podcast session. Thank you very much❤

[@heidizee5144]

Thank you Simon for these kinds of wonderful deep-dive interviews! I might not understand everything discussed but sure do take comfort from knowing people like the Sherzais are working toward solutions and strategies. Thank you for the nuance and all the time it takes to produce a podcast of this caliber.

[@leahblackburn3872]

This was so good, and so informative. I learned so much. Thank you so much all! ❤

[@dominika2330]

Finally ❤couldn't wait for this interview❤❤❤

[@susanstarker1378]

Thank you for another great episode.

[@frompizzaaddicttovegan]

Fabulous episode. Will be bookmaking to watch again and refer to

[@emilybarry9410]

FANTASTIC -will be re-listening (possibly) more than once 😆Love you 3 together!!!! And I love your alls dedication to quality science, transparency, and care for helping people

[@mjkoeck5808]

This was an incredible discussion!!!! Thank you!!!! Wow.

[@ThingsYoudontwanttohear]

The part about misinformation on diseases like Alzheimer was heartfelt. It is almost cruel to spread misinformation like that.

[@JamesGouveia]

Amazing podcast, thanks for all the work you put into your fantastic research and interviews with so many great experts.

[@joannethompson714]

An amazing discussion. Thank you - I learned so much

[@evelevrae1]

Awesome. Thank you!!

[@martinabernstein2912]

My first time listening to this podcast. This is amazing stuff! Thank you for dropping some potent science to help me make healthful lifestyle choices.

[@samanthab5006]

I get your comment Simon on delayed gratification and I know that the following is anecdotal but I feel it could be relatable for many Americans. My husband and I have been predominantly plant based vegans for about 6 years and are 38 and 34 respectively. I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant with no complications excellent blood pressure, glucose metabolism and weight gain (also conceived second month of trying). We have several friends who are younger who are struggling with fertility and family members who are around 5 years older who are already being prescribed blood pressure and cholesterol medication. Even in my mid 30s I can start to see disparities between us and those around us with less optimal habits (just to clarify not assuming you need to be vegan).

[@chiyerano]

Thank you for sharing and congratulations on the expected new addition to your family.😊🎉

[@nadege_diercks]

Amazing and informative podcast!

[@noellecuisine8912]

❤loved this wonderful conversation! Loved 🥰 the depth, nuances and it’s great because they were my teachers at ECORNELL!!! Great 👍🏻 job and very calm and beautiful voice toooo! Cheers 🥂 from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@francesf6623]

Hi Simon, great podcast, I look forward every week to the next one. Is supplementing with DHA and EPA algae capsules going to increase ones levels?

[@zhilahaghbin4766]

such an amazing episode for sure will get the book of "the brain docs, the DR. Drs. Sherzai; Simon your questions were brilliant, you make these Giant scientists develop new theories, research project, at the moment I am listening your book Simon:)

[@tosca...]

Sometimes I'm far beyond catch up! I was just busy with life when you did this episode Simon. So between Christmas and New Year here I am catching up while I'm walking. I follow the Sherzais too, so am accustomed to Rolls Royce FYI on brain health. But I must say you squeezed so much nuance (Ayesha definitely found the right word) out of the Sherzais in this episode. I am able to identify several sets of symptoms which apply to my mother and other family members which help me understand more, even if I'm not able to change anything but being a good listener and friendly helper. Many thanks to Dean and Ayesha, I'm sure dinner and the bike ride were great!

[@kencarey3477]

Very interesting, great informative

[@lindaripp5902]

Thanks

[@Arugula100]

This is an awesome podcast! Simon Hill is a great interviewer, and the Sherzai's are fantastic brain docs.

[@char2304]

I love the Sherzai duo ❤❤

[@eileenkast4982]

Excellent! Please interview Dr Brooke Goldner

[@leniolesch896]

You always learn something new listening to them. I was especially interested in their (changed) view on olive oil. From my memory, they were really against it in the past.

[@kst157]

Superb interview & very easy to understand yet detailed at the same time & wide ranging. 3 hours flew by! Thank you x 3. 👍

[@joaniesimon6677]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Simon Hill! This interview was amazing! I've been soaking up all I can from the brilliant Sherzai team, and this podcast was simply the best! I love your moments of clarification in being mindful of your listeners; it is much appreciated! One suggestion I have across the board: please consider a deep dive into pesticides, specifically glyphosate. It's a killer in so many ways! Thank you again, Simon!

[@Amshatelia88]

Simon, have you considered a foray into ASMR? You have such a soothing voice!

[@espinosalexis]

Thanks for this! It's funny how different is their point of view of the importance of low homocysteine in comparison to what was said in "a parallel podcast" of the same topic with Attia and Wood. In that other podcast, they stressed the importance of keeping homocysteine low to avoid dementia.

[@viveviveka2651]

Video request: Dr. Ian Mudway (on microplastics, forever chemicals, and several other topics of interest to many of us).

[@mike.999]

Thanks a lot Simon and Brain-docs for this very important 3 hour discussion. The information/recommendation over the amount of Omega 3 was new to me. Until now my supplementation has been 250 mg DHA and 125 mg EPA per day (algaebased). I have to double my dose at least from now on.

[@angeladavies]

Wonderful interview, Q & A`s were giving my brain a dial up. omega 3 & lifestyle + Use It or Lose It are my principals. Nutrition psychiatry I hope you & Dr Megan Lee will cover. Knowing of Prof Felice Jacka (Smiles Trail) ,Prof Julia Rucklidge, Dr Uma Naidoo...I am curious to know more. Thk.

[@catherinekasmer9905]

Here are my issues/questions regarding olive oil. 1. Dr. Esselstyn claims that ALL oils impair endothelial function as evidenced by the brachial artery tourniquet test. 2. All oils, including olive oil are pure fat, stripped of fiber and other plant components which are healthy. As such, being pure fat they are extremely calorie dense and may not be an appropriate addition to the diet for an overweight or obese person. Excess fat on the body is not inert, it excretes hormones and poses other risks of its own. 3. The element of olive oil proposed to be beneficial is the polyphenol content. Isn’t it possible to get polyphenols from other whole plant foods? 4. Olive oil is 14% saturated fat. Isn’t it the case that for some people who have atherosclerosis, that adding a food with that much saturated fat is going to contribute to furthering the progression of their atherosclerosis? 5. I think that overconsumption is a danger. I really do worry that claiming olive oil to be heath promoting will in fact lead people to “pour it on” or to use a lot of it, to an extent which is actually quite damaging. If it’s good, more must be better, right? We are hardwired to prefer calorie dense foods from our evolution, goes one argument. This is why we like fatty foods so much. I feel that adding oil, even if you accept the polyphenols as outweighing the damage from the saturated fat, is somewhat playing with fire for people who have weight issues and addictive eating patterns. 6. Oils are subject to rancidity which is something to control or else that oil can be damaging. 7. It is a fact that due to poor regulation and monitoring, the majority of what is labeled as olive oil in stores is not all olive oil. You can look this up. 8. Olive oil is expensive. Using reasoning, it seems to me that there are multiple potential downsides to olive oil and it is possible to get the beneficial polyphenols in other ways- so why take a risk?

[@Rapher1996]

Not an expert but what I've picked up from expert interviews and such is that even though some of these negative effects are indeed known and well-studied, there are probably many more pathways in which a food such as olive oil effects us that are unknown. Looking at human outcome data (what actually matters) and not single mechanisms, olive oils seems to benefit health.

[@adamswift1747]

Great interview. Thanks so much. Interesting about choline. So much uncertainty about what levels are optimal. I take sunflower lecithin powder as a supplement but concerned about gut health and TMAO. I follow a vegan diet. Any comments?

[@catherinekasmer9905]

Another question re:Parkinsons. Early in the interview microvascular disease that damaged the blood brain barrier is identified as a risk factor for AD. Could microvascular damage also open the gates to toxins, AGEPs, harmanes and pesticides entering the brain and causing Parkinson’s Disease? In other words could protecting microvascular health protect against or prevent Parkinson’s Disease?

[@StephenMarkTurner]

I don't know if flavour is any marker of nutrition, but some olive oils have a very grassy peppery taste, whereas the typical grocery store oils are very bland tasting.

[@Mimulus2717]

@StephenMarkTurner. Peppery olive oil is characteristic of young olives high in anti-oxidants and good polyphenols. Ironically most Americans prefer the bland (and often rancid oils) which have much less nutritional value. I grow a dozen Arbequina (dual purpose: table and oil olive) trees and interesting to cure olives from the same tree harvested over a 2-3 month window and taste how their flavor profile changes with time. Same would go for the oil....you get different tasting oil depending on when you harvest and press. The olives are cleaner with early harvest too...less time for them to be parasitized by the olive fruit fly which really damages the quality of the olives and is a serious pest.

[@StephenMarkTurner]

@@Mimulus2717 Thanks

[@TheProofWithSimonHill]

Greetings Friends, Which segment of our discussion struck you as the most compelling? I'd be delighted to read your thoughts. Additionally, if you've any related questions, kindly leave them in the comments. I'll make sure they're addressed in our forthcoming conversation.

[@soilikasanen]

Finnish researchers adjusted saturated fat, transfat and statin use among other things when calculated association between meat, dairy and cognotive decline. You guess the rest.

[@zhilahaghbin4766]

Thanks so much to all you, so inspiring and informative. I believe it was in one of your interviews Simon with Dr. Mohamad Alo, who said "Fish oil can raise your total cholesterol and LDL and cause A.Fib", so since I am somewhat worried, but I feel in my measurements within a month of taking it my markers of LDL and total cholesterol improved and skin feel less dry, so I want to take it. Any more data on Fish oil causing "A. Fib"? or was it most likely due it someone using poorly kept rancid fish oil?

[@Alice-oe4kd]

I am a double APOE4 I have been taking Omega3 for a couple of year - I am 75. Given my situation how much Omega3 should I be taking? THX for the great video

[@Szejwin]

Very cool converstation. I have a question. Dr Wahls (maybe others as well) claim their interventions reverse symptoms of MS. The guests criticised that diets don't reverse disease (lesions). It's not contradictory.

[@travisporco]

this is great but dang...we need a tl;dr on such a long video

[@smilebot484]

what about people who bleed easily with omega 3 supplements? also people with low bp and low resting heart rate might not be able to supplement.

[@kayepellow7010]

When I with Lpa change from Dr Goldner’s diet to olive oil I get angina!

[@espinosalexis]

Dear Simon, Lion's Mane, Reishi and other mushrooms are being marketed (I guess with a good amount of scientific references) to be beneficial to brain. There are also some herbal teas/traditional substances that seem to be beneficial, like lemon-balm. I'm very interested in this kind of wonders of nature substances not only for the brain but for health in general. Could you dedicate some time to talk about mushrooms benefits for general health and another episode for herbal teas/ therapies benefits? Those two shows would be amazing to see/listen. Many thanks, I love your project, please let us know when you come to Perth!

[@garyjackson4054]

All great information if a little biased. Sex hormones are produced from cholesterol. Personally I prefer to eat ruminant fat and beef. More difficult if plant based to consume the necessary oils and fats but this conversation should help people understand how important they are.

[@TheProofWithSimonHill]

We produce all the cholesterol we need endogenously, and the amount of sex hormones we produce is comparatively negligible. For reference, the liver synthesizes about 600-800 mg of cholesterol daily (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B0122266943000570 ) and in men, about 7 mg of testosterone are synthesized daily (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3636985/ ) so it's rather silly to think you need to eat cholesterol because sex hormones are made of cholesterol. It's just as silly as believing you need to eat sugar because cholesterol is made from sugar.

[@garyjackson4054]

@@TheProofWithSimonHill thank you. I prefer higher cholesterol levels but appreciate the reply.

[@espinosalexis]

Did I hear correctly? Did they say: "red meat may cause type 2 diabetes"?

[@RussellDeacon]

This fella claiming people didn't live past 40 is wrong he isn't accounting for infant mortality lowering the avg. People usually got to 55 to 65 of they get past 5yrs.

[@carinaekstrom1]

So, why are whole plant foods proving to be so good for health and longevity?

[@smilebot484]

we are apes!

[@tracysmith245]

@@smilebot484 just because they say they are good for you does not mean they are low in fat and low in sugar make more money I just eat as well as I can afford to do so no dairy-free from butter etc where I can processed food is processed even if it is plant-based or vegan pretzels vegan pizza etc plant-based milk is not as good as you may think added extra's. I can not eat processed food anymore it is such a challenge I lose calcium when i have calcium such a horrible illness that is like fats everything

[@tracysmith245]

just found out my mother-in-law has this I have already worked in a care environment for 20 years and feel frustrated because my family does not like what job I have been doing for a long long time I love what I do and will never change what job i am doing not looking forward to this one bit I know from experience how they can be to us carers

[@carinaekstrom1]

@@smilebot484 I believe that's the most valid answer, yes. Too many millions of years of building our digestive system on large amounts of whole plants, for anything drastic to change in later times.

[@greyhnd001]

We are built like herbivores . Who doesn't understand that.

[@greyhnd001]

I asked ai what the healthiest diet was and it got it right completely it mentioned a whole food plant diet. I just did it to test it. Lol it answered correctly

[@BronsteinEmily]

Disappointing to hear Dr Dean state that he doesn't think people should find out what their APOE status is and then later in the video go on to say that lifestyle can modify the outcome of APOE4 by 80-90%. Seems contradictory. I'm APOE4 negative but I had two parents who died with dementia. I am highly motivated to do what I can with lifestyle changes to lessen my risk. If I was APOE4 positive that would motivate me as well. I'm glad to hear Dr Ayesha doesn't agree with him.

[@cariesty]

Ohhh I don’t know squash isn’t a thing in America

[@kencarey3477]

The true paleo diet is super high in fiber

[@seascape185]

What about oxilates? There’s evidence being shown that plants are killing us🥹🥴😳I’m so confused I don’t know what to eat. I stopped alcohol years ago. I stopped sugar and processed carbs and even meat. Then I did keto eating fats I liked it but now I don’t know I’m trying carnivore and I’m just confused I’m in my 60, already now.,!I cent remember words

[@TheProofWithSimonHill]

Saying "plants are killing us" is not based on evidence but rather story telling. It's a consistent finding that the more plants are in a person's diet the longer they live. Check out this meta analysis for example (one of many). PMID: 25073782

[@jamespatrick5348]

was it a vegan pizza?

[@margaretsutherlin5431]

Way, Way, Way too many ads/commercials!!! Literally every 2 minutes there is at least one advertisement ! Obnoxious and that’s why it takes 3 hours ! I will probably never watch another one of his podcasts because of it

[@250txc]

I'm with these guys BUT they are a VERY good example of overthinking this entire saga of eating and nutrition.. You gotta eat something, right? Saying you only know 1 side of ai is BS ... HOW do you actually know either side? lol