🌿 Functional Medicine Principles of Addressing Dementia & Cognitive Decline
1. 🧩 Identify Root Causes—There Is Never Just One
Why it matters: Cognitive decline is multi-factorial, not a single disease.
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Alzheimer’s is often the result of metabolic, inflammatory, toxic, infectious, and nutrient-related imbalances.
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Functional medicine looks for the “why” behind each patient’s cognitive changes.
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Personalized protocols target your unique triggers.
2. 🧬 Precision Testing for Early Clues
Why it matters: The earlier we intervene, the better the brain responds.
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Labs assess blood sugar, insulin resistance, inflammation (CRP, homocysteine), thyroid function, nutrient status, toxin load, and APOE status.
- p-tau 217, NF-L, GFAB
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Advanced tools like brain imaging, cognitive assessments (MoCA, CNS Vital Signs), and genetic testing guide your recovery plan.
3. 🍞 Insulin Resistance & Type 3 Diabetes
Why it matters: The brain on sugar is inflamed and shrinking.
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Alzheimer’s is often called “Type 3 Diabetes.”
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Functional medicine prioritizes blood sugar stabilization with low-glycemic, nutrient-dense diets.
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Intermittent fasting, ketones, and mitochondrial support improve cognition and protect brain cells.
4. 🦠 Gut-Brain Axis Repair
Why it matters: Inflammation in the gut = inflammation in the brain.
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Address leaky gut, dysbiosis, and chronic GI inflammation.
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Rebuild microbial diversity and reduce endotoxins (LPS) that damage neurons.
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Support serotonin, GABA, and nutrient absorption at the source.
5. 🛑 Toxin and Heavy Metal Clearance
Why it matters: The brain is vulnerable to toxins, especially with a leaky blood-brain barrier.
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Common offenders: mold (mycotoxins), mercury, lead, aluminum, pesticides, air pollution.
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Functional detox: binders, sauna, sweating, glutathione, NAC, hydration, clean air/water protocols.
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Reduce environmental exposures daily.
6. 🧘 Inflammation & Immune Modulation
Why it matters: Chronic inflammation “burns” neurons and disrupts signaling.
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Identify sources: hidden infections (e.g., Lyme, herpes), food sensitivities, toxins.
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Anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle.
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Use of curcumin, omega-3s, polyphenols, and lifestyle changes to cool inflammation.
7. 💤 Sleep Restoration & Brain Detox (Glymphatic System)
Why it matters: The brain detoxifies while you sleep.
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Address apnea, poor sleep hygiene, and circadian disruption.
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Optimize melatonin, magnesium, and stress reduction for deep sleep.
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Sleep = nightly brain cleanup of beta-amyloid and tau proteins.
8. ⚖️ Hormonal and Nutritional Balance
Why it matters: The brain needs hormones and nutrients to fire and repair.
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Assess thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA.
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Support deficiencies in B12, vitamin D, omega-3s, choline, zinc, magnesium.
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Tailor supplementation to your personal labs.
9. 🧠 Neuroplasticity, Mental Engagement & Purpose
Why it matters: The brain thrives on novelty, meaning, and challenge.
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Engage in brain training, learning new skills, music, languages, puzzles.
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Foster social connection and community (isolation increases dementia risk).
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Reconnect to purpose—this is brain medicine.
10. 🚶 Movement, Oxygenation & Mitochondrial Health
Why it matters: Exercise is the #1 lifestyle intervention for brain function.
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Daily aerobic movement boosts BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor).
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Resistance training, walking, dancing, and breathwork improve oxygen delivery and cellular energy.
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A moving body supports a growing, resilient brain.
🌟 The Bottom Line: Alzheimer’s Is a Lifestyle Disease—for Most of Us
Your genes are not your destiny. Your choices are.
With functional medicine, we no longer wait for cognitive decline to “just happen.” We investigate. We prevent. We reverse. You have more power over your brain than you’ve ever been told.