
The Bredesen Protocol is a clinically-tested Alzheimer's diet developed by neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. The protocol is based on 40 years of research and the Amyloid Hypothesis, which states that the accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins in synaptic clefts interferes with synaptic communication, leading to cognitive decline. The goal of the Bredesen Protocol is to remove exposure triggers that contribute to cognitive decline, optimize health support, and rebuild the neural network. This is achieved through a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes, including a low-carb, plant-rich, and fiber-rich diet, regular exercise, optimized sleep, and mental stimulation. The protocol also recommends a minimum 12-hour fast, including 3 hours before bed, to promote fat-burning and improve cognition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goal | To remove exposure triggers that lead to cognitive decline, optimize health support, and rebuild the neural network |
| Diet type | Plant-rich, fiber-rich, low-carb, mildly ketogenic |
| Food items | Grass-fed beef, pastured chicken and eggs, wild-caught low-mercury fish, sweet potatoes, brown rice, non-starchy vegetables, olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds |
| Food items to limit | Refined carbohydrates, added sugars, red meat, antibiotic and hormone-laden dairy products, processed foods, calories, and methionine |
| Lifestyle changes | Optimized sleep, physical activity, stress management, brain training, and supplementation |
| Fasting | Fast for at least 12 hours overnight, including 3 hours before bed |
| Exercise | At least 30 minutes, 5 times per week or 4-5 days per week for 45 to 60 minutes in total |
| Weight loss | Discontinue long daily fasts if losing too much weight |
| BMI | Minimum of 18.5% for women and 19.0% for men under age 65 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Bredesen Protocol is a clinically-tested Alzheimer's diet
- It is a highly-individualized treatment protocol with similar components
- The protocol includes complex carbohydrates, fruit, and foods avoided in a standard ketogenic diet
- It aims to reduce foods common in a ketogenic diet, such as meat and high-saturated fat animal products
- The protocol is based on 40 years of research and the Amyloid Hypothesis

The Bredesen Protocol is a clinically-tested Alzheimer's diet
The Bredesen Protocol is a clinically-tested diet and lifestyle approach to preventing and treating Alzheimer's and cognitive decline. It was developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and is based on 40 years of research and the Amyloid Hypothesis. The protocol is a highly individualised treatment with certain similar components, including dietary and lifestyle changes.
The protocol's dietary recommendations include a plant-rich, fibre-rich, low-carbohydrate diet, high in healthy fats and low in refined carbohydrates, added sugars, red meat, and dairy products. It encourages the consumption of grass-fed beef, pastured chicken and eggs, and wild-caught low-mercury fish, such as salmon. The protocol also includes complex carbohydrates and fruit, which are typically avoided in a standard ketogenic diet. Additionally, it recommends fasting for at least 12 hours between dinner and breakfast, including 3 hours before bedtime, to promote insulin sensitivity and fat burning.
The Bredesen Protocol also addresses lifestyle factors such as improving sleep, increasing physical activity, and brain training" with games. It emphasises the importance of reducing exposure to toxins and infectious agents that can contribute to cognitive decline. The protocol suggests taking supplements, such as berberine, cinnamon, alpha-lipoic acid, or chromium picolinate, to support nutrient, hormone, and trophic (growth factor) optimisation.
The overall goal of the Bredesen Protocol is to remove exposure triggers that lead to cognitive decline, optimise health support, and rebuild the neural network. It aims to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by minimising the production of pro-Alzheimer's peptides and maximising the production of anti-Alzheimer's peptides. The protocol provides a comprehensive, step-by-step framework to support cognitive health and address biochemical imbalances that can lead to cognitive decline.
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It is a highly-individualized treatment protocol with similar components
The Bredesen Protocol is a highly-individualized treatment protocol with similar components. It is based on 40 years of research and the Amyloid Hypothesis, which found that the accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins interferes with synaptic communication and contributes to cognitive decline. The protocol aims to remove exposure triggers that lead to cognitive decline, optimize health support, and rebuild the neural network.
The protocol includes dietary and lifestyle recommendations that have been clinically shown to benefit Alzheimer's patients and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. It emphasizes the importance of a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, mental stimulation, and adequate sleep. The diet typically includes complex carbohydrates, fruit, low-mercury fish, and healthy fats, while reducing refined carbohydrates, added sugars, red meat, and processed foods.
One specific dietary guideline within the Bredesen Protocol is the KetoFLEX 12/3, which recommends a mildly ketogenic, plant-rich, and highly nutritive approach. This includes consuming generous amounts of healthy fats, low amounts of carbohydrates, and a minimum 12-hour fast, including 3 hours before bed. It encourages the consumption of foods in their natural state, such as fresh produce, seafood, pastured eggs, and poultry.
To develop individualized recommendations, comprehensive testing is conducted to measure glucose response, insulin levels, inflammatory status, genetic variation, gut integrity, and the blood-brain barrier. This allows for a personalized approach to implementing the Bredesen Protocol, addressing specific health concerns, and optimizing overall cognitive health.
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The protocol includes complex carbohydrates, fruit, and foods avoided in a standard ketogenic diet
The Bredesen Protocol is a clinically-tested "Alzheimer's diet" developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. The protocol is based on 40 years of research and the Amyloid Hypothesis, which found that the accumulation of beta-amyloid in synaptic clefts interferes with synaptic communication, leading to cognitive decline.
A standard ketogenic diet involves significantly reducing or eliminating carbohydrates, which are the body's preferred source of energy, and increasing fat and protein intake. This reduction in carbohydrates puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it breaks down stored fat for energy. However, the Bredesen Protocol does not recommend this pattern of eating for those with cognitive decline.
The protocol's dietary guidelines, KetoFLEX 12/3, recommend a minimum 12-hour fast, including 3 hours before bed, and eating foods in their natural state, such as fresh produce, seafood, pastured eggs, poultry, and meats from local farms. It also encourages improving sleep, increasing physical activity, and "brain training" with games.
The overall goal of the Bredesen Protocol is to remove exposure triggers for cognitive decline, optimize health support, and rebuild the neural network. This includes addressing insulin resistance and restoring insulin sensitivity, as well as optimizing nutrient, hormone, and trophic support to create resilience and support the body's systems.
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It aims to reduce foods common in a ketogenic diet, such as meat and high-saturated fat animal products
The Bredesen Protocol is a clinically-tested "Alzheimer's diet" developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. It is based on 40 years of research and the Amyloid Hypothesis, which states that the accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins in synaptic clefts interferes with synaptic communication, leading to cognitive decline. The protocol aims to reduce exposure to these triggers and optimise health support to rebuild the neural network and enhance brain function.
While the protocol does aim for a "mildly ketogenic" state, it differs from a standard ketogenic diet. The Bredesen Protocol includes complex carbohydrates, fruits, and other foods typically avoided in a standard ketogenic diet. Notably, it aims to reduce the consumption of meat and high-saturated fat animal products, which are commonly found in ketogenic diets.
The Bredesen Protocol encourages a diet that is rich in plants, fibre, and healthy fats, while being low in carbohydrates. Specifically, it recommends consuming non-starchy vegetables, leafy greens, and healthy oils like high polyphenol olive oil. It also includes some animal products, such as low-mercury fish, pastured chicken, and eggs. The protocol suggests avoiding processed foods, added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and excessive red meat, as these can contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance.
To achieve a mildly ketogenic state, the Bredesen Protocol recommends a minimum 12-hour fast, including 3 hours before bed. This fasting period promotes the restoration of insulin sensitivity, which is crucial for cognitive health. Additionally, the protocol emphasises the importance of sleep, physical activity, and brain training" games. These lifestyle changes work together to support overall health and cognitive function.
It is important to note that the Bredesen Protocol is highly individualised, and each person's recommendations may vary based on comprehensive testing of various health factors. While the protocol provides a general framework, specific dietary and lifestyle choices may differ depending on an individual's unique needs and circumstances.
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The protocol is based on 40 years of research and the Amyloid Hypothesis
The Bredesen Protocol is a dietary and lifestyle protocol designed to prevent and treat cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. It is based on 40 years of research and the Amyloid Hypothesis, which posulates that the accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins interferes with synaptic communication and contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease.
The Amyloid Hypothesis, which has been the focus of Alzheimer's research for over 25 years, suggests that the buildup of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain triggers neurodegenerative processes, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's. This hypothesis has been built upon, modified, and challenged by researchers, and it has influenced the development of treatments for Alzheimer's.
The Bredesen Protocol aims to address cognitive decline and Alzheimer's by removing exposure triggers, optimizing health support, and rebuilding the neural network. This involves a focus on burning fat, as Alzheimer's is associated with decreased glucose utilization. The protocol recommends a plant-rich, fiber-rich, low-carbohydrate diet with healthy fats, as well as addressing insulin resistance and restoring insulin sensitivity through fasting.
Additionally, the protocol includes complex carbohydrates and fruits, which are typically avoided in standard ketogenic diets. It also recommends improving sleep, increasing physical activity, and "brain training" with games. The protocol is highly individualized, with comprehensive testing to develop specific recommendations for each person.
The Bredesen Protocol is based on extensive research and aims to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease by targeting the underlying mechanisms proposed by the Amyloid Hypothesis.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bredesen Protocol is a clinically-tested "Alzheimer's diet" developed by neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. It is based on 40 years of research and the Amyloid Hypothesis, which found that beta-amyloid accumulates and interferes with synaptic communication.
The Bredesen Protocol is a mildly ketogenic diet, which includes complex carbohydrates, fruit, and other foods that are typically avoided in a standard ketogenic diet. It aims to reduce foods high in refined carbohydrates, added sugars, red meat, and saturated fats. The diet includes grass-fed beef, pastured chicken and eggs, and wild-caught low-mercury fish. It also recommends fasting for at least 12 hours between dinner and breakfast and improving sleep, physical activity, and "brain training".
The Bredesen Protocol is said to help prevent and treat cognitive decline and improve brain functioning. It also aims to remove exposure triggers that lead to cognitive decline, optimize health support, and rebuild the neural network.











































