Functional Medicine Approach To Alzheimers Disease

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Advanced Treatment For Alzheimer’s Disease

I spent years as a neurologist treating multitudes of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and over time became frustrated by the trajectory of the traditional medical approach. If you have Alzheimer’s disease you know that you have been labeled with an almost universally fatal disease for which you are told the cause is unknown, there is no cure, there is no way to reverse its course. Even the medications currently available have limited benefit. Conventional medicine removes hope, and replaces it with a life sentence that ties you to an unsatisfying pharmacological solution. I knew the toolbox had to be bigger. While I recognized the value of the medication, I also knew there were things I could do to help my patients address the root cause of their disease. This is when I decided to start my own private neurology and functional medicine practice, and develop The Brain Tune Up!, a neurology-based functional medicine protocol that allows my patients to identify the root causes of their Alzheimer’s disease. Put simply, it works. With the help of my Brain Tune Up team I find I can drastically improve the trajectory of your Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention Is About Early Detection

Scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. Less than 5 percent of the time, Alzheimer’s is caused by specific genetic changes that virtually guarantee a person will develop the disease. This is good news. Because it means that if we can identify the root lifestyle and environmental factors we have a 95% chance of impacting the trajectory of this disease.

Right now, the best evidence available suggests that early intervention have the greatest benefit. This means that the widest window of opportunity is for healthy at risk individuals, for those who have mild memory loss only, or for those who have been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease damages and kills brain cells. A brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease has many fewer cells and many fewer connections among surviving cells than does a health brain. As more and more brain cells die, Alzheimer’s leads to significant brain shrinkage all over, but especially in a region of the brain known as the hippocampus.

ALZHEIMER’S Disease BRAIN TISSUE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

When doctors examine Alzheimer’s brain tissue under the microscope, they see two types of abnormalities that are considered hallmarks of the disease, plaques and tangles. Plaques are clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid which damage and destroy brain cells in several ways, including interfering with cell-to-cell communication. Tangles are threads of protein called tau that come from the normal internal support and transport system of brain cells responsible for carrying nutrients and other essential materials throughout their long extensions. Tau protein twists into abnormal tangles inside brain cells, leading to failure of the transport system. This failure is also strongly implicated in the decline and death of brain cells.

Advancements Of New Technology

Present technology allows for software-driven quantitative measurement of hippocampal and total brain volume (NeuroQuant), and spinal fluid and PET imaging analysis of beta-amyloid and tau protein in the brain. This allows for a more precise diagnostic approach than has ever been available. Furthermore, genetic screening is available to identify those most at risk.

Your Lifestyle And Environment Play Key Roles

Since lifestyle and environmental factors play a major role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a functional medicine approach is the ideal strategy for addressing Alzheimer’s at its roots. To accomplish this goal the Functional Medicine operating system consists of the Functional Medicine Timeline, The Functional Medicine Matrix, and the Therapeutic Lifestyle Factors (Sleep & Relaxation, Movement & Exercise, Nutrition, Stress, and Relationships). Functional Medicine Matrix, based on a scientific framework known as “systems biology,” allows the practitioner to evaluate imbalances at the cellular level. This helps sort out why the disease has occurred in the first place. By understanding each of these imbalances the patient is empowered to make changes to correct them. Each part of the Matrix is called a “node,” and there are 7 nodes on the Functional Medicine Matrix. You can read about them here: Assimilation, Defense & Repair, Energy, Biotransformation & Elimination, Structural Integrity, Transport, and Communication.
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Within my 6 to 12-month program we give you the tools to not only improve your health short term, but you develop skills that will allow you to continue this improved trajectory for the rest of your life. My program gives you the opportunity to change your life for the rest of your life. We give you back the hope that was taken away. If you or a loved one is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, looking for answers, I encourage you to take my survey below, schedule a free Brain Tune Up! consultation, and re-imagine your future with the help of Brain Tune Up! today.

this is the most powerful tool to transform your health

Brain Tune Up! Intensive is a 6 to 12-month comprehensive functional neurology program, not a “one-off” visit to the doctor. Brain Tune Up! utilizes the tools of functional medicine, including The Functional Medicine Timeline, The Functional Medicine Matrix, Therapeutic Lifestyle Medicine, advanced laboratory testing, pharmaceutical-grade supplementation, Cutting-edge Technology, and a team of specialists who have the knowledge and experience to guide you on your journey to beat multiple sclerosis!

This Plan is for You if …

  • If you are looking for more than a pill.
  • If you are looking for someone with the right qualifications: A medical school graduate (M.D. or D.O.) with experience in direct patient care, a state license to practice medicine, and certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (APBN).
  • If you want a doctor who knows how to address the root causes of disease, not just treat the symptoms or manage the disease.
  • If you want a doctor who has ability to integrate traditional medical care and all of its tools with the skills and mindset of functional medicine.
  • If you want a doctor who makes your personalized care the ultimate goal.

    Day 1: Intensive Experience

    A One-Day Intensive Brain Tune Up Experience consisting of four lively, 60-90 minute in-person group discussions with Dr. Sharlin and his functional medicine team that will give you the foundation you need to actively participate in your personalized Brain Tune Up! plan. Lunch will be provided.

    Personal Visits

    Six one-on-one personal visits with Neurologist Dr. Ken Sharlin that will dive deeper into your personalized plan.

    Focus Areas

    3 hours in each of the Brain Tune Up! Focus Areas: Functional Nutrition, Energy Medicine & Manual Therapy.

    Supplements

    $800 in pharmaceutical grade supplements (retail value), including the key supplements you need to heal your gut and your brain.

    Personal Training

    5 personal training sessions aimed at improving your Movement, Strength, and Mobility at Sessions Fitness.

    Advanced Labs

    Brain Tune Up! specialized laboratory testing utilizing the most advanced labs that will be customized depending on your needs. (included)

    Heart Math

    Six – Eights Weeks Rental (Included) of a HeartMath EmWave 2: cutting edge technology to optimize your brain, reduce your stress and help you attain better sleeping habits.

    Personalized Plan

    A personalized plan based on your specific areas of imbalance identified in the functional medicine matrix, and through advanced laboratory testing.

    Food Plans

    Brain Tune Up! Food Plans, including all educational materials, recipes, and weekly planners.

    The Living Matrix

    Access to The Living Matrix which infuses the power of modern technology into the functional medicine timeline and functional medicine matrix.

    Community

    Access to our Private Facebook page where we share key articles to broaden your education in functional medicine and interact with the private community of Brain Tune Up! participants.

    Loved Ones

    Free access to the Brain Tune Up! Group discussions for your spouse or partner. We want you to be successful and the best way to accomplish that goal is for your life partner to be there with you.
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    Preferred Options

    The ability to select a Wahls Protocol or a Bredesen Protocol preferred option. Brain Tune Up! will then be customized with these approaches for your program duration.

    Looking For The Bredesen Protocol? 

    Discover how I am able to provide you the Bredesen Protocol experience with a customized version of Brain Tune Up! the intensive. Please click below to learn more. 
    Understanding Cost
    A Question Of Cost

    Dr. Sharlin knows that normal working people want to participate in Brain Tune Up! To make Brain Tune Up accessible to everyone he has partnered with a company called Advance Care. This is a secure, free, on line paperless application process that will give you instant feedback. Through Advance Care you will have the opportunity to spread out the cost of the program over 6 or 12 payments interest free. If you choose to extend your payments beyond this point you only pay interest on the remaining balance.

    When you consider the cost of Brain Tune Up! The Brain Optimization for Life Plan Dr. Sharlin wants you to see what he has to offer against the backdrop of the hidden costs of our current medical environment and the costs of chronic illness. It is an investment you are making in you, right now, and for your future.

    Program cost can range from the base price of $4375.00 to $5,500.00 depending on how many advance laboratory tests Dr. Sharlin thinks would be necessary depending on the complexity of each individual’s medical care.

    We hope you choose to join us for this life-transforming opportunity.

    Advanced Care Credit Payment Option

    Brain Tune Up! Intensive Outline
    Functional Medicine: Brain Tune Up! (Direct Pay) is different from a do-it-yourself book or online program. This is what we offer:

    • A One-Day Intensive Brain Tune Up Experience consisting of four lively, 60-90 minute in-person group discussions with Dr. Sharlin and his functional nutritionist that will give you the foundation you need to actively participate in your personalized Brain Tune Up! Brain Optimization for Life Plan. Lunch will be provided.
    • Brain Tune Up! Food Plans, including all educational materials, recipes, and weekly planners.
    • $800 in pharmaceutical grade supplements (retail value), including the key supplements you need to heal your gut and your brain.
    • Brain Tune Up! Laboratory Testing (included)
    • 6 personal visits with Dr. Sharlin.
    • 3 hours in each of the Brain Tune Up! Focus Areas:
      • Functional Nutrition
      • Energy Medicine
      • Manual Therapy
    • Five (5) personal training sessions in Movement, Strength, and Mobility
    • Four (4) weeks rental (included) of cutting edge technology to optimize your brain!
    • Access to The Living Matrix which infuses the power of modern technology into the Functional Medicine Timeline and Functional Medicine Matrix.
    • Access to The Brain Tune Up! Private Facebook page where Dr. Sharlin and his team share key articles to broaden your education in Functional Medicine. Here you can interact with the private community of Brain Tune Up participants.
    • Brain Tune Up! Goals and Results Tracking.
    • A Wahls Protocol Preferred Option
    • A Bredesen Protocol Preferred Option
    • Free access to the Brain Tune Up! group discussions for your spouse or partner. Dr. Sharlin wants you to be successful and the best way to accomplish that goal is for your life partner to be there with you
    • Maximum program duration: 12 months.
    How Long Is Brain Tune Up?
    Our Brain Tune Up! Intensive Program lasts anywhere from 6 to 8 months. However, patients have up to a year to utilize services.
    Brain Tune Up! Is Not Covered By Insurance
    We do not accept any form of insurance. However, you may submit your receipts to insurance and your policy may cover out of network services according to their rules. We will not provide ICD or CPT codes for this though. We will provide any medical/office visits notes to you. Please allow 72 hours processing time.
    Before My First Meeting With Program Coordinator?
    We are looking forward to meeting you in-person for your first visit! Before you arrive, please complete your LivingMatrix intake forms that were sent to your email. If you have not received the email from LivingMatrix please contact our office. Please note that these forms do take time. Plant to allocate at least 30 minutes to complete them, occasionally it will take patients up to two hours to complete depending on medical history, family history, and chief health concerns. Once you complete the forms we are updated, patients do not need to worry about printing, emailing, or contacting us to let us know they were completed unless a problem arises. At the time of arrival -review history, sign agreement, pay, set up scheduling.

    Interested In Our Program?

    “Thank you for your interest in our program. Please fill out this Alzheimer’s disease patient intake form which will be received by our program director and Dr. Sharlin for review.”

    “As program coordinator of Brain Tune Up! I hope you will consider participating in this exciting personalized medicine treatment program that aims to help you remain healthy, functional, and productive and make sure the number of your years are of the highest quality possible.”

    Contact Information

    If you are interested in one of our programs we please ask you fill the intake form out before you call or email us. As we will not be able to answer any of your questions until you have done so.

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    Read Neurologist Dr. Ken Sharlin’s Blog