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Identify Neurodegeneration Early

Identify Neurodegeneration Early

With: Dr. Greg Eckel

About the Episode

Learn the early warning signs of neurodegenerative diseases!

Join Dr. Greg Eckel as he takes a deep dive into neurodegeneration to explain how and why it happens, and what we can do to prevent neurological diseases often attributed to getting old. He also shares his personal experience with his wife’s rare, chronic neurodegenerative condition, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and how it sparked a passion in him to help others.

Listen now and take care of your brain!

What We Discuss

Neurodegeneration is widespread, and there are many ways in which it can manifest. If a treatment is working for people who are far into a pathology, logic says the same principles must also work to prevent it. This could then push the bounds on longevity when dealing with neurodegenerative diseases.

Unfortunately, there haven’t been many breakthroughs to prevent neurodegeneration. Neurodegenerative diseases can include Mad Cow disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and mild cognitive impairment, and all of them are considered on the rise.

Causes of Neurodegeneration

Toxins are a major causative agent, including the relationship between pesticides and heavy metals with Parkinson’s disease. Another bigger component is unresolved trauma— both the person’s individual trauma in their lifetime, and their family’s ancestral trauma from generations prior. Researchers see this often with Holocaust survivors’ families with high levels of anxiety and depression now, even a few generations later.

In 1974, Carbidopa/Levodopa came on the market to treat Parkinson’s Disease, and the strategy around using this medication hasn’t changed much since then. Because it treats a symptom, it could be life-changing for some people, but it doesn’t do anything to address the underlying cause.

Signs and Symptoms of Neurodegeneration

The first Cranial Nerve, your sense of smell, is a very telltale sign of Neurodegeneration. Any sudden loss of smell, as seen in Covid-19 and Parkinson’s patients is an early sign of neuroinflammation. The Brock Hypothesis states that Parkinson’s starts in the gut one to two decades before any central nervous system symptoms begin. So while there are many causes of constipation, it could also be an early warning sign of a neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson’s.

Sleep issues and acting out dreams can be another early warning sign that something abnormal is going on in the brain, but all of these symptoms can have multiple causes. The important thing is to share them with your physician so they can get a full scope of what’s going on.

Battling Neurodegeneration

Getting these diagnoses is hard on people because there’s often no known cure. In fact, neurologists have one of the highest rates of suicide. They can diagnose very well but they don’t have many solutions available to help their patients, but we don’t have to go through it alone. Having a trusted source and guide along the path can be really helpful in those times of need.

This was one of Dr. Eckel’s realizations while seeing his wife’s rapid deterioration due to Creutzfeldt-Jakob’s Disease. It set him on a path of integrating holistic techniques into neurodegeneration treatment and prevention. We only have one body, and we often take it for granted, so bringing a broader understanding of existence into a clinical encounter can bring a new angle around the discussion around neurodegenerative diseases.

Learn all this and more about neurodegeneration in this episode!

Guest Bio

In practice since 2001, Dr. Gregory Eckel co-founded Nature Cures Clinic in Portland, Oregon, where he shares what he calls “Sarieah’s gifts” with the world. As a loving husband and clinician, he took a deep dive into medical research looking for cures to his wife’s Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare, chronic neurodegenerative condition with no known cure. While he didn’t find a solution for Sarieah, the information he discovered and now uses in his clinic is showing promise for thousands of people and their brain health.

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturecurespdx/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatureCuresClinic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT2WJiLU_4BcbAKy-Z-4Epg
https://naturecuresclinic.com/
Clear Mind Nasal Spray: https://naturecuresclinic.com/clearmind
Book: Shake It Off: https://naturecuresclinic.com/book

Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is comprehensive testing for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, helping clinicians accurately diagnose and treat these complex infections. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood, Urine, or Ticks

COST

may have a $200 copay

INSURANCE

Covered by most insurance.

Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Galleri® is a multi-cancer early detection test, a blood test that screens for many of the deadliest cancers before they become symptomatic,1,2,3 including those with no recommended screening tests today. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home or in lab.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

$999

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This DNA test analyzes a person’s genetic markers to provide insights into their health and wellness price. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Swab

COST

$299

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is a key tool for assessing the impact of long-term exposure to environmental chemicals. By quantitatively measuring 14 select metabolites, this test helps determine an individual’s toxic burden, offering essential data to guide targeted nutritional and detoxification interventions for improved health outcomes. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$129

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

The Hormone and Urinary Metabolites Assessment Profile (HuMapTM) provides a comprehensive overview of steroid hormones, their metabolites, and the efficiency of the enzymes that metabolize these hormones. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$199

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

INSTRUCTIONS

Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This is a dried urine test for comprehensive hormones to help providers solve complex patient cases. DUTCH is a group of validated tests that provide a complete evaluation of sex and adrenal hormones, including metabolites. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$300

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

INSTRUCTIONS

Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This is a comprehensive stool test that relies on quantitative polymerase chain
reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria, H. pylori, fungi, and more by targeting the specific DNA of the organisms tested. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Stool

COST

$399

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

INSTRUCTIONS

Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This is a comprehensive test that uses blood and urine to evaluate over 125 biomarkers. It provides recommendations for vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and digestive support. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood and Urine

COST

$179 – $439

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

INSTRUCTIONS

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Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Genova’s SIBO Profiles are non-invasive breath tests which capture exhaled hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) gases following patient ingestion of a lactulose solution to evaluate bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Breath

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

COST

$85-$225 depending on insurance coverage. 

Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At Home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$699

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. Repeat test prices $249

Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the genetic profile for multiple health indicators. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood Spot

COST

$319

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This company can test for lyme, babesia, bartonella and additional tick-borne illnesses. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

around $1600 (depends on panel selected)

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. May be reimbursed with PPO plans.
Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$310

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates a wide range of environmental toxins that may be leading to harmful health effects.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$199

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins.
Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Blood work for blood count, urinalysis and vitamin levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

NOTES

You often have to fast for these tests-please check your providers notes.

COST

Depending on the test, deductible or copay may apply.

INSURANCE

Depends on insurance coverage, deductible or copay may apply.
Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Glyphosate (“Round Up”) is a pesticide that is widely used and this test indicates the body’s levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$99 ($69 if performed with mycotoxins or environmental toxins).

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins or GPL Tox.
Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates many measures including micronutrients, antioxidants, minerals, detox, overview of gut function, omegas and toxic exposure. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$150 – $329

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

INSTRUCTIONS

Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the gut function and indicates microbiome balance, overgrowth, infection, inflammation, parasites and digestive efficacy. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Stool

COST

$179-$439 depending on insurance coverage.

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

No probiotics for one week.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the full menstrual cycle, female hormones, and adrenal profile.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

COST

$160-$329

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

NOTES

Must be off hormones in order to do the testing.
Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is specifically for a tick-borne illness called “Bartonella”.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

COST

$260

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals stored in the body.  Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

Testing: $79 x2 paid to Doctor’s Data
DMSA: $38 paid to Johnson’s Compounding Pharmacy

INSURANCE

Not covered by Insurance
Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test measures saliva cortisol testing throughout the course of one day and informs us where there might be an adrenal imbalance.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Saliva

COST

$80

INSURANCE

No insurance coverage

Identify Neurodegeneration Early
Identify Neurodegeneration Early

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is designed to look at food sensitivities (IgG immune responses). It is available in both a 99 or 184 panel. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

$129-238

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted