With the increasing popularity of the Bredesen Protocol for reversing cognitive decline, it’s essential to ensure that you are working with a health professional who is genuinely accredited to offer the Bredesen Protocol, which is only available in conjunction with Apollo Health, the US based company where Dr Bredesen is the chief science officer.
Even if the practitioner is accredited, it is important to ensure the genuine program is being offered, as intended by Dr. Dale Bredesen. The Protocol is based on comprehensive, personalized care that addresses the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s Disease and cognitive decline, and not every practitioner who claims to offer it may be delivering the genuine version.
Here are the key things to look for when choosing a practitioner:
1. Subscription to Apollo Health is Included.
One of the clearest ways to verify that a practitioner or coach is following the genuine Bredesen Protocol is their connection to Apollo Health, the official platform behind the ReCODE (Reversal of Cognitive Decline) program. Practitioners or coaches who are offering the authentic protocol must have a client subscribe to Apollo Health to access the ReCODE program, which includes a personalized analysis of each client’s unique risk factors. Without access to this program and the resources within the Apollo Health portal, a practitioner or coach cannot deliver the program in line with Dr. Bredesen’s science-based approach.
If a health professional doesn’t mention Apollo Health or have you enrol in the ReCODE program with Apollo Health, you are not doing the genuine program.
2. Proper Training and Certification
A legitimate Bredesen Protocol practitioner or coach should be trained and certified by Dr. Bredesen’s team. This certification, known as ReCODE 2.0, ensures that the practitioner or coach understands the complex systems behind cognitive decline and knows how to apply personalized protocols based on each client’s unique genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors.
To check whether a practitioner or coach has ReCODE 2.0 certification, check the Apollo Health website and enquire with Apollo about a coach or practitioner you are considering engaging, to make sure he or she is ReCODE 2.0 accredited. This guarantees that you’re working with someone who has done the extensive training involved to become accredited.
3. Beware of Copycat Programs and Supplement Selling
Unfortunately, there are many unaccredited practitioners and even some accredited practitioners or coaches, who may advertise or mention the Bredesen Protocol to attract clients, but ultimately deliver a program of their own invention. These copycat programs often involve expensive and sometimes unnecessary testing, which is then used to justify selling large quantities of supplements. This practice is especially common in many so-called integrative or functional medicine health practices and has become a typical business model.
Such practitioners often make a significant portion of their income through supplement sales, which presents a potential conflict of interest. To avoid even the perception of a conflict of interest, a health practitioner should not be profiting from selling you supplements; instead, any supplements recommended should be based solely on your health needs, not their business model.
It’s important to note that in standard medical practices, doctors are not allowed to prescribe medications and sell them to patients directly for this very reason. The patient instead buys the medications from a pharmacy, with no financial ties to the prescribing doctor. The same ethical standard should apply to supplements. In some cases, practitioners maintain they are selling supplements and other products to make it convenient for their clients to access what they believe are good products and justify the profit to cover their overheads and administration costs of being a supplier. The best business model for the client would be to pay for the professional advice from the health provider and be provided with the details of what and where to buy from an independent supplier with no financial ties to the health provider. There should not be any discount codes to quote and a declaration by the healthcare provider that he or she does not accept any form of remuneration from suppliers of supplements.
4. Transparency in Program Delivery
When working with a genuine Bredesen Protocol practitioner, you should expect clear communication and transparency in every aspect of your care. The protocol involves detailed assessments, including lab tests, lifestyle analysis, and cognitive testing, followed by a personalized plan tailored to your needs.
Your practitioner or coach should be able to explain the process, the tests required, and how they will interpret your report results to create your individualized plan. If the practitioner skips steps or promotes a “one-size-fits-all” solution, this may be a sign they are not following the true Bredesen Protocol.
5. Ethical and Competent Practices
Dr. Bredesen’s program is based on science and aimed at improving long-term brain health through primarily with ongoing lifestyle changes. Optimising diet, exercise and sleep quality are the highest priority and should be addressed first. A poor diet and lifestyle cannot be fixed by supplements and a barrage of tests. Make sure the practitioner or coach you intend to work with has this method of delivery and doesn’t pay token attention to these basics of the protocol.
Watch for signs of excessive or unnecessary testing, or an overemphasis on supplements without adequate explanation of their role in your overall treatment plan. A genuine Bredesen practitioner will always balance any interventions with evidence-based research and clear explanations.
6. Ongoing Support
The Bredesen Protocol is not a “quick fix” but a long-term commitment to improving and sustaining brain health. A good practitioner or coach will provide you with ongoing support, regular check-ins, and adjustments to your plan as necessary. They will monitor your progress closely, offering continuous guidance rather than a one-off consultation.
Conclusion
To ensure you are engaging with someone who genuinely offers the Bredesen Protocol, always check for their subscription to Apollo Health, confirm their certification and training, and be mindful of their ethical practices. Beware of practitioners who use the Bredesen name to sell their own programs that rely heavily on expensive testing and supplements. By taking these steps, you can be confident that you are receiving the full benefit of Dr. Bredesen’s groundbreaking work in cognitive health, tailored to your individual needs.
