NEW YORK – In a remarkable turn of events, Judy Benjamin, once diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, is walking across the United States at the age of 81, showcasing her successful reversal of the disease’s symptoms.
Immediate Impact
Judy Benjamin was just 67 when she received the devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, a disease that had already claimed her mother and several uncles. Her symptoms began with minor forgetfulness but quickly escalated, confirmed by brain scans showing amyloid plaque build-up.
Now, 14 years later, Benjamin is undertaking an epic journey from San Diego to Saint Augustine, Florida, to prove that reversing Alzheimer’s symptoms is possible. Her journey, which began on April 5, is supported by a team and documented by a film crew.
Key Details Emerge
Benjamin recently celebrated a significant milestone, having walked 1,000 miles. “I’ve been really thrilled with the people I’ve met along the way,” she told The Independent. “Everyone knows someone with Alzheimer’s and they’re very interested in my story because I reversed my cognitive decline by radically changing my life.”
Judy Benjamin is walking across the United States to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. (Courtesy of Apollo Health)
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s began for Benjamin shortly after her mother’s death from the same disease. “I was working overseas and started to get really worried because I couldn’t remember things — even my own phone number or locker combination,” she recounted to Fox News Digital.
Expert Analysis
Benjamin’s turnaround began with Dr. Dale Bredesen, an expert in neurodegenerative diseases. At a friend’s suggestion, she sought his help. Bredesen, who had been developing a protocol to reverse Alzheimer’s, found in Benjamin the perfect candidate for his ReCODE protocol.
“The bottom line is that it is a personalized, precision medicine protocol,” Bredesen explained to The Independent. The protocol addresses specific drivers of the disease, focusing on energetics, inflammation, and toxicity, among others.
“Very few people are capable of walking 3,000 miles, from coast to coast. But to have someone doing it who is 81 years old, and has reversed her cognitive decline after a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s in 2012, is truly historic,” said Dr. Bredesen.
Background Context
Benjamin’s journey to recovery involved significant lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, sleep, and meditation. Her determination and adherence to the ReCODE protocol have not only reversed her symptoms but also transformed her into a brain health coach and yoga instructor.
Bredesen’s research, documented in books like The End of Alzheimer’s, supports the notion that Alzheimer’s can be both preventable and reversible. Despite this, awareness remains limited, and early intervention is crucial for effective treatment.
What Comes Next
As Benjamin continues her journey, she hopes to inspire others with her story. “That is really the purpose of my journey,” she shared. “And also to show that you can be 81 years old and walk all this way one step at a time.”
Her remarkable feat serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating that cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of aging and can be challenged with the right approach.
“She is doing something that I could not do, nor could most of the people I know. She is truly an inspiration,” Bredesen remarked.
As Judy Benjamin strides forward, her journey not only raises awareness but also offers a powerful message of hope and resilience against one of the most feared diseases of our time.