What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that slowly affects the brain, making it harder to remember, think, and eventually do everyday tasks. Most people start showing symptoms later in life.
In Canada, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia in older adults and it is the 9th leading cause of death. Today, more than 770,000 Canadians are living with the disease.
Changes in the brain can begin many years before memory problems appear. During this time, harmful proteins build up, forming what are called plaques and tangles. These damage brain cells, causing them to stop working, lose connections, and eventually die.
The first areas affected are usually those that control memory. As the disease spreads, more parts of the brain are damaged and begin to shrink. In the later stages, this widespread damage leads to severe memory loss and difficulty with even the most basic daily activities.
Treatments and Therapies:
Current Medical Treatments for Alzheimer’s
There is currently no known cure but pharmaceutical medications aim to slow progression, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life.
Supportive Therapies
Cognitive & Behavioral Therapy
- Speech therapy, cognitive stimulation, and structured activities.
Lifestyle Interventions
- Dietary changes such as a Mediterranean-style diet (MIND diet) are very helpful to reduce inflammation in the body and brain.
- Probiotics & Gut Microbiome Support
Growing evidence of gut-brain connection; certain prebiotics and probiotics reduce inflammation and improve cognition. - Herbal and Natural Supplements
Omega-3s, Vitamin D, B vitamins, Curcumin, Ashwagandha, Ginkgo biloba and many more are showing promise to decrease inflammation and promote brain function.
- Physical Exercise and Social Engagement
Exercise and staying connected helps prevent isolation and supports brain function. - Brain Training and Mind Body Practices such as Meditation, Mindfulness, Tai Chi, Music and Art therapy, Pet therapy, and Massage have been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and support cognition.
Alternative & Complementary Therapies
- Photobiomodulation (Red/Near-Infrared Light Therapy)
Early studies suggest it can improve cognition, cerebral blood flow, and reduce neuroinflammation. - Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)
Investigated for neuroprotection and improving mitochondrial function. - Acupuncture
Some studies show improvements in cognitive function and daily living.
For more details on the most promising therapies, please see a New Book by Dr. H. Sandison– “Your guide to preventing and reversing dementia that will give you hope, guidance, and a path forward”. Also see her website for more information: Home – Dr. Heather Sandison
Promising New Research!
New research from Harvard University suggests that lithium replacement could be a potential approach to prevent and treat mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. See full report:
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lithium-levels-tied-alzheimers-disease-dementia
How Luminous Supports People with Dementia and Alzheimer’s with Photobiomodulation and PEMF Therapy
At Luminous, we have been at the forefront of using advanced Photobiomodulation (Red Light Therapy) technologies—including the THOR Laser and ARRC Light Bed—to support brain health and conditions such as dementia for more than seven years. A few years ago, we expanded our services by introducing PEMF therapy, which we now combine with Red Light Therapy for enhanced results.
Clinical Results:
While research in this area continues to grow, we have witnessed remarkable improvements in many of our clients after just a few sessions. Typically, clients begin with treatments 2–3 times per week before transitioning to less frequent maintenance sessions. Families are often delighted and surprised by the progress—reporting better communication, improved memory and mood, greater mobility, and increased awareness of and ability to perform daily functions.
Here’s a breakdown of how our therapies can help with Dementia / Alzheimer’s:
Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)
Mechanism of Action:
Red and near-infrared light (between 600–900 nm wavelengths) penetrate the skull and stimulate cells, especially mitochondria, to reduce cellular oxidative stress (inflammation) and produce more energy (ATP). Full body Light Bed treatments support immune function and decrease general body inflammation.
Potential Benefits for Alzheimer’s:
- Increased Mitochondrial Function:
- Alzheimer’s is associated with reduced mitochondrial efficiency and ATP production.
- Red light stimulates cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria → boosts ATP production → improves cellular energy.
- Reduced Neuroinflammation:
- PBM has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers in the brain, which are elevated in AD.
- Decreased Amyloid-β Plaques:
- Some animal studies suggest PBM may reduce accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques, a hallmark of AD pathology.
- Improved Cerebral Blood Flow:
- PBM enhances nitric oxide (NO) release → vasodilation → better blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain.
- Neurogenesis & Synaptic Plasticity:
- In animal models, PBM promotes neurogenesis (new neurons) and improves synaptic strength, potentially supporting memory and learning.
PEMF Therapy (Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields)
Mechanism of Action:
PEMF delivers low-frequency electromagnetic waves to tissues, which can influence ion channels, cell signaling, and gene expression.
Potential Benefits for Alzheimer’s:
- Neuroprotection:
- PEMF may reduce oxidative stress and protect neurons from degeneration.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects:
- It can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are elevated in Alzheimer’s and contribute to neuronal death.
- Improved Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Integrity:
- Studies show PEMF can help repair the BBB, which becomes leaky in Alzheimer’s, allowing harmful substances to enter the brain.
- Enhanced Cerebral Circulation:
- Like PBM, PEMF may also improve blood flow and oxygenation in brain tissues.
- Stimulation of Neural Networks:
- PEMF can promote synaptic activity and help restore impaired neural connectivity seen in AD.
Combination Therapy Potential
Using PBM and PEMF together has synergistic effects, especially as both address:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Inflammation
- Circulation
- Neuroplasticity.
PBM and PEMF therapy can be used at any stage of dementia and are also great preventative tools for brain and body health because of their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. There are no contraindications with medications or other therapies and NO negative side effects!
Key Takeaways
- Alzheimer’s is complex but not hopeless: While there is no cure yet, many supportive therapies can improve quality of life, ease symptoms, and potentially slow progression. New research out of Harvard is very promising (see study link above).
- Lifestyle matters: Diet, exercise, social connection, and stress-reducing practices like meditation and music therapy can all make a meaningful difference.
- Natural and complementary therapies are promising: Nutritional supplements, herbal supports, probiotics, and mind-body practices are showing positive effects in research.
- Cutting-edge approaches are emerging: Therapies such as Photobiomodulation (Red Light Therapy) and PEMF show great potential to reduce inflammation, boost brain energy, and improve communication between brain cells.
- Combination therapies may offer the most benefit: Using PBM and PEMF together may amplify results by targeting multiple aspects of Alzheimer’s disease, including mitochondrial function, blood flow, and neuroplasticity.
- Early support is best: Because brain changes begin years before symptoms appear, proactive and preventative approaches offer the greatest opportunity for impact.
- Families notice the difference: Even small improvements in memory, communication, and mobility can dramatically improve daily life for both individuals and their caregivers.
For more information and a free consultation, please contact Luminous at 604-428-8760 or Contact Us by email.