Happy Sunday! 2020 was one of the best years of my life. Hit big milestones — got married, had a daughter, hiked the AT, and grew my business. It had major highs and some lows (A bunch of injuries and gained that quarantine fifteen), and I hadn't fully appreciated it until I reflected on the year this week. It's 2021. Are you ready for it?

Alrighty, on to the Stir!

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The World of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is one of the leading causes of death in America and we still don't really have a clue how to cure it or reverse it with drugs. However, there was small study conducted that took a completely different approach to treating AD. Most research and effort has been put into understanding what's going on in the brain on the molecular level but not much breakthrough has taken place. So this group from UCLA decided to take a different approach:

Beginning from the premise that Alzheimer’s disease is a particular manifestation of a highly complex system in disarray, they sought to optimise the system by changing the inputs. Put another way, the scientists chose to set aside the molecular box which has proven so vexing, and to focus instead on the context of the box itself. Although we cannot say precisely how the intervention worked, on a cellular level, the important thing is that it did work.

This method was tested on a small number of individuals who had Alzheimer's disease. They were able to stop the progression of the disease, not completely reverse it or cure but stop it from getting worse, which is markable improvement from any past treatments.

Rather, the researchers used a protocol consisting of a variety of different lifestyle modifications to optimise metabolic parameters – such as inflammation and insulin resistance – that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were counselled to change their diet (a lot of veggies), exercise, develop techniques for stress management, and improve their sleep, among other interventions. The most common ‘side effect’ was weight loss.

The participants who stopped the protocol saw their AD get worse. Some stopped and their AD got worse so they started on the protocol again and progression had stopped again. Perhaps, we don't know how to cure or reverse AD but this study gives an important illumination into how people, particularly younger people can use this protocol to prevent or delay AD onset.

The World of 2020 Reflection

Want to be guided through a review of your 2020? I came across this document online and you can use it for reflecting on all of the great things and negative things from 2020 then use it to plan for a better 2021. I've never really done something like this in the past but I think it's fantastic for reflection and planning. Usually the New Year comes, I'm excited and I have a few easy resolutions and some big goals then just roll into the next year. This really made me reflect on the details, events, habits, and milestones of 2020 in a way that made me appreciate this past year. I highly recommend taking a few days to go through it. You don't need to do everything in it, even spending an hour reflecting would be worth it.

The World of Great Tweets

@limitlessleila If you raise your children, you spoil your grandkids. If you spoil your children, you raise your grandkids.

@SydneyLWatson How did we go from "flatten the curve" to "stay home until you accept communism"?

@BrianFeroldi In the beginning, your savings rate is all that matters. As your net worth grows, your investment returns matter more and more. Focus your time accordingly.

@markallanbovair Let 2021 be the year we stop idolizing “productivity” and look deeper for a more meaningful journey.

Thoughts: I totally agree. I've been writing a piece about this exact thing for awhile but just haven't figured out how to put it into something succinct and coherent. That's the beauty of writing, makes you really think through your ideas. Writing just helps me realize that I just don't know what it is I'm trying to communicate.

The World of Proverbs

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. - Proverbs 18:22

End Note

If you've enjoyed the Sunday Stir, I'd love it if you shared it with a friend or two. You can send them here to sign up. I hope you're enjoyed this episode.

I'm excited about growing this newsletter in 2021 and to continue sharing unique information with you.

Live free,

Brennen