FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

*       *       *

Is this program right for me?

    • You are not significantly cognitively impaired currently, but you’re concerned about the future and want to optimize your brain function for the rest of your life.
    • You deeply value your health and your amazing brain, and wish to follow the evolving science around cognition.
    • You are interested in taking the time and energy to make diet and lifestyle changes (with help) and are willing to work with us for an extended period until you have cultivated sustainable brain-nurturing habits.
    • You are looking for a supportive, friendly, kind, shame-free, and honest approach.

What do I get out of this program?

    • Ultimately, personal transformation is possible.
    • First, the process begins with an evaluation of your current cognitive function and an assessment of your major risk factors for neurodegeneration.
    • Next, you’ll receive help and guidance and support in developing an individualized program for optimizing your cognitive health and maintaining it.

What is the process like?

    • We offer a personalized experience, with the following general model (but keeping the approach as flexible as possible to respond to the needs of each individual client):
    • We start with a free 15-30 minute discovery call with Dr McClure, to answer your questions and to determine whether the doctor and program and focus of this endeavor will be a good fit for you.
    • If we decide to work together, the next stage is to set up the process, planning how and when to communicate, and establishing legal and financial agreements.
    • We will begin at the beginning. Dr McClure needs to get to know you. She’ll perform a thorough health and family history.
    • We will assess the status of the pillars of brain health in your life. We’ll look at the following factors:
        • your sleep patterns and habits,
        • how and how often you move your body,
        • your diet,
        • how you manage your stress,
        • the quality of your rest and relaxation,
        • the possibility of toxic exposures in your past or present,
        • potential chronic infections and chronic inflammation,
        • possible metabolic disturbances (including issues with blood sugar and insulin), and more.
    • To gather data, we will utilize testing, both with lab tests to look at inflammation, insulin and blood sugar, etc, and also with cognitive testing to get a baseline picture of your brain function.
    • Together, we’ll prioritize potential changes that you can make to your lifestyle and diet.
    • Once we have a clearer picture of you and your brain and the areas that need the most attention, we will begin developing easy sustainable beginner habits, habits that work for you, habits that can build into transformational behavioral shifts to foster a sharp healthy brain for as long as possible.
    • Expect a months-long process with periodic reassessment to understand what positive changes are taking root. Scheduled time with the doctor will gradually decrease as you progress in your habit development.
    • Our interest is in making you successful at designing, establishing, and refining healthy habits to protect and maintain your cognitive function

How can I be confident that I can succeed?

    • After decades of research, neurologist and scientist Dr Dale Bredesen has been treating patients successfully with diet and lifestyle. His most recent book describes some of those successes in detail (title: The First Survivors of Alzheimer’s).
    • You will be working with Dr Lauren McClure, a certified Tiny Habits coach, and the Tiny Habits method is very learnable and works well for long-term behavior change.