New Alzheimer’s Disease Research: Brain Microbiome Breakthrough? | Dr. Neal Barnard
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Physicians Committee
4.9 • 3.3K Ratings
🗓️ 16 January 2025
⏱️ 39 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Dr. Neal Barnard discusses recent findings and a potential breakthrough related to Alzheimer's disease.
He joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to highlight both the challenges and promising developments in research. The discussion comes as new cases of dementia are expected to double by 2060.
Dr. Barnard is the author of The Power Foods Diet.
Topics discussed:
Microbiome and Antivirals: New evidence suggests that the brain's microbiome may play a role in Alzheimer's. Antiviral medications, similar to those used for cold sores, could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's by over 90%.
Vaccinations: There is a correlation between receiving certain vaccines and a lower risk of Alzheimer's, although vaccines can have risks.
Dietary impact: A Mediterranean diet, which avoids saturated fats, has been linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's.
Exercise: Regular brisk walking can help regenerate the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants, particularly vitamin E, may also play a role in reducing Alzheimer's risk.
Omega-3 fatty acids: While omega-3 supplements are popular, there are concerns about their link to prostate cancer, suggesting a focus on natural sources instead.
Berries and anthocyanins: Foods rich in anthocyanins, like berries, are beneficial for brain health.
This episode is sponsored by The Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund, which supports organizations like the Physicians Committee that carry on Greg’s passion and love for animals through rescue efforts, veganism, and wildlife conservation.
— — BOOKS — —
The Power Foods Diet: https://amzn.to/3GmCxUj
— — EVENTS — —
Dr. Bulsiewicz and Chuck Live Show
Where: Dr. Barnard's Bon Voyage Bash in Miami
Date: March 7, 2025
Tickets: https://www.pcrm.org/events/bon-voyage-party-2025
— — SHOW LINKS — —
Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund
— — —
Food For Life Instructor Applications
— — BECOME AN EXAM ROOM VIP — —
Sign up: https://www.pcrm.org/examroomvip
— — THIS IS US — —
The Exam Room Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexamroompodcast
— — —
Dr. Neal Barnard
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnealbarnard
Facebook: http://bit.ly/DrBarnardFB
X: https://www.twitter.com/drnealbarnard
— — —
Chuck Carroll
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChuckCarrollWLC
Facebook: http://wghtloss.cc/ChuckFacebook
X: https://www.twitter.com/ChuckCarrollWLC
— — —
Physicians Committee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physicianscommittee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCRM.org
X: https://www.twitter.com/pcrm
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PCRM
— — SUBSCRIBE & SHARE — —
5-Star Success: Share Your Story
Apple: https://apple.co/2JXBkpy
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pMLoY3
Please subscribe and give the show a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or many other podcast providers. Don’t forget to share it with a friend for inspiration!
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Today, on the exam room. |
| 0:04.0 | People have come to look at the microbiome, not of the gut, of the brain. |
| 0:11.0 | Researchers found people who take antivirals could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's by 90% or more. |
| 0:19.0 | Welcome to the exam room podcast. by 90% or more. |
| 0:27.3 | Welcome to the exam room podcast, brought to you by the Physicians Committee. |
| 0:33.7 | Hi, I'm the weight loss champion Chuck Carroll, raising health IQs coast to coast and around the world. |
| 0:38.5 | Hi to the exam room. He's listening in Baltimore, Maryland, Renton, Washington, |
| 0:44.2 | and Nottingham, England. Wherever you are, we appreciate you helping to make the world a healthier place. This is episode eight of season eight, number 607 overall. You know, we talk a lot |
| 0:52.8 | about gut microbiome here on the show, but today we're going to introduce |
| 0:56.9 | you to another type of microbiome, brain microbiome. And just like the microbiome in your gut, |
| 1:04.7 | the microbiome in your brain, it's like a community of microorganisms that live there. They're |
| 1:10.6 | living rent-free. Some of them helping you, some of them maybe even harming you. |
| 1:16.4 | And Dr. Neil Barnard is back with us today to introduce you to brand new research showing |
| 1:21.6 | that this emerging area of scientific exploration, the brain microbiome, what role it plays in brain disorders, including |
| 1:30.3 | Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Now, these findings come on the heels of new projections that |
| 1:37.1 | forecast the number of people living with dementia in the United States will double by the year |
| 1:42.7 | 2016 and that more than one million new cases of |
| 1:47.7 | dementia will be diagnosed every single year thereafter. So today's conversation really could |
| 1:54.6 | not come at a better time. Also today, the connection between Alzheimer's disease and vaccinations. |
| 2:01.8 | Very surprising data there. |
| 2:03.6 | Plus, your diet and the risk of dementia. |
| 2:06.7 | Huge connection there. |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in -71 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Physicians Committee, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Physicians Committee and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.