‘Alzheimer's can be prevented & reversed', says expert; early intervention, natural therapies & Covid link
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Talking to TOI , he speaks about the evolving understanding of Alzheimer's and the way ahead. Excerpts:
You say that Alzheimer's is reversible. Could you explain how?
When I began my journey as a scientist decades ago, even during my time at Harvard, the consensus was that Alzheimer's could only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem and that there was virtually no hope for reversal. But today, we stand on a very different frontier. Our evolving understanding, supported by multi-omics, neurobiology, and functional medicine, tells us that Alzheimer's is not a singular condition with a singular cause. It is a syndrome with 100 different potential root causes, ranging from chronic inflammation and vascular compromise to environmental toxins, metabolic dysfunction, and infections. Once you accept that, the strategy shifts from 'waiting for a cure' to actively identifying and reversing the drivers in each patient.
Could you break down what makes Alzheimer's distinct from dementia?
Dementia is a broad term. It simply means that the brain isn't working the way it used to whether it's memory, decision-making, emotional processing, or cognition. Alzheimer's is a specific disease, the most common form of dementia, responsible for about 70% of cases in older adults. But not all dementia is Alzheimer's. Trauma, tumours, vascular issues, or infections can lead to dementia-like symptoms that are reversible if the underlying cause is treated.
You say that Alzheimer's begins decades before symptoms appear. Can you elaborate?
That's one of the most important insights. Alzheimer's pathology starts 20-30 years before the first symptom. The brain begins accumulating damage, amyloid plaques, tau tangles, inflammation, vascular compromise all silently. That's why early intervention is key. The earlier we can detect cognitive shifts and investigate root causes, the better our chances of slowing, halting, or even reversing the condition.
You mentioned hundreds of causes. Isn't that overwhelming?
It can be, but it also means there are many opportunities to intervene. One-size-fits-all medicine won't work. Instead, we assess each patient's environment, genetics, exposures, metabolic state, infections, and more. We've seen success using lifestyle-based protocols optimizing sleep, detoxification, nutrition, and exercise. For example, deep sleep (N3 stage) is critical. Every 1% reduction in N3 sleep increases Alzheimer's risk by 22%. Yet, most in the age group of 65-80 only get 15-30 minutes of N3 sleep. That's modifiable.
Are there examples of patients you've treated using this approach?
There are studies, patients reverse cognitive decline using protocols including Lion's Mane mushroom, Rosemary essential oil, detoxification, targeted anti-inflammatory therapies, and in some cases, cutting-edge interventions like Galectin-3 antibody therapy, which is showing remarkable promise without the side effects seen in amyloid-targeting drugs.
Can Covid-19 or its vaccine exacerbate or even trigger neurodegeneration?
We're seeing clear signals that both Covid-19 and spike proteins from vaccines may accelerate neuroinflammation in predisposed individuals, particularly those with high toxic burdens, poor sleep, chronic infections, or autoimmunity. But it's important to remember this is a layered phenomenon. Covid didn't create Alzheimer's, but it may tip the balance in vulnerable individuals. One UK post-mortem study even showed 5-10% brain mass shrinkage in individuals who had only mild Covid.
What role does lifestyle play in Alzheimer's prevention?
Alzheimer's doesn't start in the brain; it starts in the body. The way we live, our sleep patterns, food, activity levels, toxic exposures all influence cognitive longevity. Exercise increases BDNF, a growth factor that stimulates new neuron and synapse formation. Sauna therapy promotes detoxification and triggers heat shock proteins that may regenerate neural tissue. Diets high in processed sugar, salt, and seed oils are inflammatory and vascularly destructive, both are enemies of the brain.
You say Alzheimer's not as a tragedy but as a call to action. What's your message?
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