Prominent Drug CAUSES Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s rates continue to soar. But don’t expect drug companies to swoop in and save the day anytime soon.
Because no matter how much money Big Pharma dumps into developing drugs for Alzheimer’s, they all end up as big, fat failures.
But it gets worse… so MUCH worse.
Incredibly, some of Big Pharma’s most popular (and over-prescribed) drugs could actually be CAUSING Alzheimer’s disease.
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a broad class of drugs used to treat anxiety, seizures, and insomnia.
Two of the most common benzos are Xanax and Valium. They “work” by altering your brain neurons—and that’s where the problem comes in.
Microglia are immune cells in the brain. When taken, benzos bind to a protein on the surface of microglia.
This causes the synapses in your brain — that nerve cells use to communicate with each other – to degrade over time.
Synapse loss is responsible for sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Plus, it’s a key driver in diseases like Alzheimer’s, ALS, major depressive disorder, and aging in general.
To add insult to injury, benzo users also tend to develop a tolerance to these drugs over time. So you need to take more of them to achieve the same effect.
This not only increases the chances of addiction but ALSO exposes your brain to more risk.
You see, taking benzodiazepines for a short time doesn’t seem to impact Alzheimer’s risk. But research has found taking them for three to six months increased dementia risk by 32 percent.
And taking them for more than six months caused the risk to skyrocket to 84 percent.
Unfortunately, I don’t know many folks who have been on these drugs for LESS than six months.
Of course, your best bet is to never get Alzheimer’s to begin with. And there are many steps you can take to protect your brain as you age.
Including…
- raising your vitamin D level (deficiencies are common)
- socializing MORE (loneliness and social isolation send risk soaring)
- taking a daily walk (research shows the more you walk, the lower your risk)
In the meantime, consider talking to your doctor about safer alternatives to benzodiazepines.
P.S. One nutrient deficiency, in particular, could explain vague symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, and confusion. And as a recent study revealed, it can ALSO increase your risk of dementia.
SOURCE:
“Long-term diazepam treatment enhances microglial spine engulfment and impairs cognitive performance via the mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO).” Nat Neurosci 25, 317–329 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-022-01013-9
Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
12 Weeks to Better Brain Function
Big Medicine believes you need a different pill (or PILLS) to treat every disease. But nature is FAR more efficient than that. It works in more overlapping, synergistic ways to keep you in good health. You know… the two-birds-with-one-stone method. For example, a new study reveals that one type of food typically associated with GUT...
Ancient Art Restores Ideal Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease. Currently, about 67 million Americans have hypertension—while another 119 million are sitting on the brink with prehypertension. That’s half of ALL people in the U.S.! But research has revealed a unique way to reign your blood pressure back in… driving it into the normal...
Common Habit Spikes Diabetes Risk 41%
There’s no doubt that diet and weight play their part in the development of type 2 diabetes. But there’s more to avoiding—or even reversing—this disease than cutting out sugar or dropping a few pants sizes. In fact, a recent study identified a surprising (non-diet) factor that can send your risk of diabetes soaring by 41...
Kick Pain with this DRUG-FREE Ancient Therapy
When I was practicing medicine at Canyon Ranch Medical Center, one treatment stood out from the rest. I’ve seen this ancient practice relieve all kinds of pain… including back, foot, and migraine agony. Although the therapy has been used for thousands of years with remarkable success, modern scientific studies are limited. And no one knows...
Boost Muscle Recovery for Healthy Aging
Stronger muscles are critical for heathy aging. They increase our balance, reducing falls and fractures. And healthy muscles are vital for maintaining an independent life as you make your way through your senior years. But did you know that in order to build muscle, you have to tear it down first? That’s what strength training...
DEATH by Ultra-Processed Foods?!
There’s no doubt about it… a diet high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) will kill you, one way or another. Last week, I told you about a common ingredient in these foods that’s been tied to an increased risk of cancer—especially of the breast and prostate. (Catch up here.) Now, there’s ANOTHER alarming study you need...
The TRUTH About Quitting Smoking at ANY Age
Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. However, if you’ve smoked for most of your life, you might think it would be pointless to quit now. After all, the damage is already done, and the cards have been dealt. But if you believe that, you’ll be blown away by what I tell you...
How Many Steps to Take for Heart Health
Walking is excellent for your heart. But how much do you need to do to really make a difference? The standard step count for heart health is considered 10,000 steps daily. It’s a daunting number for many folks. If this is you, it could cause you to quit before you’ve even started. Well, I’ve got...
Food Additive Sends Cancer Risk SOARING 46%
At what point did food stop being… food? Most of the junk from the center aisles of the grocery store is loaded with more chemicals, sugar, and preservatives than ACTUAL nutrients. Try reading the labels on those ultra-processed foods, and you’re in for a surprise. The ingredients list is so long that you’ll need a...
Weird Fat Linked to Brain SHRINKAGE
You know that excess weight harms your heart. That’s not news. And besides, should you ever forget, your doctor will surely remind you. But did you know being overweight can hurt your brain, too? In fact, a recent study revealed that excess pounds could be especially harmful if you’re already at a high risk for...