Thank you, Dr. Stickler, for shining a spotlight on what Alzheimer’s Disease International calls a looming “tsunami” —dementia cases are projected to almost triple to 139 million by 2050 if we do nothing. Early action matters because many of the first clues are easy to wave away: irritability, momentary word-finding pauses, or quiet withdrawal from hobbies can all precede obvious memory loss.
The hopeful news is that as much as 40-45 percent of dementia risk is tied to modifiable lifestyle factors — nutrition, movement, restorative sleep, stress regulation, and rich social connection all help build the “cognitive reserve” that buffers the aging brain. Your call for proactive screening dovetails with the newest clinical guidance from neurologists, who now emphasize blood-pressure control, aerobic exercise, and anxiety reduction as front-line brain-sparing tools long before disease shows up on a PET scan.
In other words, every walk around the block, every leafy-green meal, every deep conversation is a small deposit into our neural savings account. The sooner individuals, communities, and healthcare systems align around this prevention-first mindset, the more resilient our collective future becomes. Grateful for the clarity and urgency you bring to the conversation — here’s to an infinity of daily choices that protect the mind of humanity.
Thank you for adding to this conversation with such profound insight, Karma. Your "neural savings account" analogy captures what we've been missing in the conversations - that every positive action, no matter how small, compounds into cognitive resilience over decades.
You've articulated something crucial about the early warning signs - irritability, word-finding pauses, withdrawal from hobbies. These subtle changes often get dismissed as "normal aging" when they're actually opportunities for intervention. The gap between when these signs appear and when people seek help is where we lose time.
It's very important to understand the role of glutathione and detoxification . Dr Alan Pressman suggested to improve the supply of the building blocks of glutathione. The tripeptide is made up of cysteine,glycine,and glutamate acid . It is also important that methylation process is functioning well. It has been noted that the over consumption of simple sugars sets up a condition of glycation where you are burning yourself up from the inside. The micronutrients that are essential for metabolic processes to function properly mostly come from leafy greens and the rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Of course a supply of clean water is essential to keep the detoxification process running smoothly. Getting up and moving around improves your chances of detoxification . Think of fiber and water as a power wash to broom out metabolic waste.
People want a medicine or a combination of nutrients to do the work for them. I don't think it's that simple the major pharmaceutical companies would like to have product to sell that would do that for you. So far there's nothing they can Market. In the meantime do the modalities that promote liver function and to keep the bionome as full of good bacteria as possible. It's been suggested that Bad bacteria in cured meats
disrupts the balance. consuming a lot of white flour glunks up the system too and interferes with Transit time. Too much alcohol causes disbiosis. That's why I called Donald Trump the disbiotic despot. I could help him feel better within a month and maybe he would be less angry the Chinese herbalists say the more toxic your liver is the more anger you have
This is an excellent post and I’m sharing it with my family. My family history didn’t predispose us of cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s per se, but the many other variables have. Out of eight children of parents whom were neurologically intact until their 90’s, two have developed Alzheimer’s related mental decline, they are twins.
Thank you for sharing your family's experience. This is exactly why I advocate for comprehensive assessment and early intervention. Even without a strong genetic predisposition, the various modifiable factors we discussed can dramatically impact cognitive outcomes. I hope the prevention strategies in the article prove helpful.
Why is bacon listed as a processed red meat? It's just meat. These studies would be more useful if they instead pointed to the additives as the problem and not the meat itself.
Great question! This is a common point of confusion that deserves clarification.
Bacon does start as pork (a red meat), it undergoes several processing steps that fundamentally transform it from its original state.
Commercial bacon typically involves:
- Curing with salt and sodium nitrites/nitrates
- Smoking
- Frequently contains added sugar, flavor enhancers, and other additives
Interestingly, studies comparing uncured, additive-free meats to highly processed versions show different health outcomes.
I make a distinction between:
- Factory-farmed processed meats with additives
- Pasture-raised meats without preservatives
You're right, future research isolating these variables more precisely would be valuable. For now, if you enjoy bacon, look for uncured, nitrate-free versions from pasture-raised animals and cook at lower temperatures as a sensible middle ground.
Niman Ranch had outdoor raised hogs, no preservatives except for celery powder, but Sprouts kept running out of it. I've found since covid you have to go back and read labels again as some companies seem to have changed things. Still, I find several options for preservative free, free range pigs readily available. Of course, the best thing would be to find a local producer.
Here is a site that is helpful https://www.eatwild.com/products/ But searching for "direct to consumer/organic/regenerative near me" will pick up a lot more.
Here is a good one for hogs but I've not tried them myself
The prices look high but I figure the ratio of nutrition per dollar spent is much better, plus I'm not eating meat every day so it works for me. I think bison is a good option for hamburger and that is readily available at Costco.
Agreed. The word “processed” is key. I make my own bacon and the key cure is #1, sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite is suitable for cured meat that will be cooked.
Processed meat eaten as is (salami, summer sausage, etc) uses cure #2, which is both nitrate and nitrite. The nitrate should be converted to nitrite during the aging process.
I wonder if it’s not the meat itself, but the cure mixtures.
Your concern has merit from a systems-health perspective. As our brains evolved to engage with natural environments and complex social interactions, there are legitimate questions about how AI-mediated experiences might affect our cognitive development and maintenance.
This is something I've thought about deeply and I'm writing an article about it. As you say, systems maintenance, and I am interested in age related cognitive decline as it relates to lifestyle factors, requires engaging with a complex environment.
Since it's now being considered a type of diabetes, don't you need to get you carb consumption as low as possible? I would think your AIC need to be normal or low. There are examples of people that were in long term care facilities for dementia symptoms that have gone home to take care of themselves after eating a carnivore diet.
Thats an important connection - metabolic health and brain function. While Alzheimer's is called "Type 3 diabetes" due to shared insulin resistance mechanisms, the optimal approach appears more nuanced than just minimizing all carbs. What we see clinically is that metabolic flexibility and insulin sensitivity matter most - achieved through targeted nutrition approaches and the carnivore diet is a way to achieve this along with other diets that improve insulin sensitivity.
I really need to get over my fear of getting tested. My mother and all the women on her side of the family have had dementia. I took care of my mom for six years and watch the horrible decline. I know it’s coming for me and it’s kept me from getting tested. After reading your article I think it’s time.
Thank you for sharing something so personal. Your courage in even considering testing after witnessing your mother's journey is remarkable.
I understand your hesitation. This hits close to home for me too - my wife's mother and grandmother both experienced many years of severe Alzheimer's dementia, which has fueled our passion for this work. My wife specializes in the psychophysiologic testing and interventions in our clinic.
What I've learned, both professionally and personally, is that knowledge truly is power when it comes to health. The testing process isn't about confirming an inevitable fate - it's about gaining specific insights that can shape targeted prevention strategies.
Whenever you decide the time is right for testing, approach it as an act of self-care rather than confirmation of fears. And know that whatever the results, you won't have to face the journey alone.
.... 'don't eat red meat'.... No.. Don't eat red meat (or any meat) from animals that have been vaccinated and raised on a diet of grain from plants covered in glyphosate....... Eat red meat raised on natural grass.... Do you need to find studies or can you use your common sense?
this recommendation might be one of the most powerful.
I 100% agree, I eliminated all alcohol from my life 8 years ago. Despite loving my wine and the social rituals around it, I made this decision after reviewing the mounting evidence on alcohol's health impacts. The cognitive, metabolic, and inflammatory consequences simply weren't worth the momentary indulgence.
The most recent scientific evidence strongly supports this choice. dismantling the "moderate drinking is beneficial" myth. Some key findings worth noting:
- Even low levels of consumption (1-2 drinks per week) are associated with detectable changes in brain volume and structure
- Alcohol disrupts deep sleep architecture critical for amyloid clearance
- The supposed cardiovascular benefits have largely been debunked when controlling for confounding variables
- Alcohol is directly neurotoxic and promotes neuroinflammation
This isn't about morality or judgment - it's simply about recognizing that our brains function optimally without this particular substance.
Thank you for talking about prevention. I am impressed you replied to people's comments. I see your wife's family has a history of Alzheimer's. "This hits close to home for me too - my wife's mother and grandmother both experienced many years of severe Alzheimer's dementia". You also say knowledge is power. Here is more knowledge that will help your wife and other's prevent Alzheimer's. My mother in law had late onset Alzheimer's and when my husband learned there was no treatment being a scientist he started reading the research to find ways to help her. He achieved his goal. Her symptoms decreased and her cognition improved. She lived to age 97 and was not in end stage Alzheimer's. My husband learned an environmental toxin is the cause of Alzheimer's and this toxin can be removed by something that is essential for the body, silica in the form of OSA which is found in mineral water. My husband Dennis N Crouse using Causal Inference proves this toxin is the cause of all the biomarkers which have been identified for Alzheimer's. He has published this information. He also shares the Crouse Protocol he developed for his mother which uses things that are essential for the body to protect the brain from toxins and improve brain health. We have a website, I am on substack, and I have a you tube channel. I am willing to answer any questions you or people may have.
Thank you for sharing. This is important information. In our practice, we regularly include heavy metal testing using the mercury tri-test plus metals panel, which has revealed unexpected risk factors in many clients. Aluminum, in particular, deserves attention given its widespread presence in our environment and its potential neurological effects.
Great you evaluate people for aluminum toxicity and other environmental toxins which can cause cognitive impairment. Agreed we are exposed to so many sources of aluminum on a daily basis which makes it challenging to avoid all sources of aluminum. Some sources are well publicized such as antiperspirants, cookware and aluminum cans. Other sources are not well known like most drip style coffee makers, baking powder, most water filters that remove fluoride, and aluminum salts are used to treat drinking water. Here is a video I made of sources of aluminum and how to find safer alternatives. https://silicawater.substack.com/p/sources-of-aluminum-in-your-kitchen
Will you please address urinary tract and bladder infections as they relate to dementia, especially in the elderly? This has been a cause that I’ve become increasingly aware of by dealing with doctors treating loved ones.
Was not sure if you were assking about UTI's increasing risk of dementia or increased rates of UTI in dementia patients - so I will address both:
While research hasn't yet established a direct causative link between recurrent UTIs and increased dementia rates, the correlation is certainly significant. People diagnosed with dementia have approximately twice the odds of experiencing UTIs compared to age-matched controls without cognitive impairment.
What's challenging in older adults is that UTIs often present atypically, instead of classic symptoms, we may see sudden confusion, behavioral changes, or worsening cognitive symptoms that may be mistaken for disease progression rather than an acute, treatable condition.
Thank you, Dr. Stickler, for shining a spotlight on what Alzheimer’s Disease International calls a looming “tsunami” —dementia cases are projected to almost triple to 139 million by 2050 if we do nothing. Early action matters because many of the first clues are easy to wave away: irritability, momentary word-finding pauses, or quiet withdrawal from hobbies can all precede obvious memory loss.
The hopeful news is that as much as 40-45 percent of dementia risk is tied to modifiable lifestyle factors — nutrition, movement, restorative sleep, stress regulation, and rich social connection all help build the “cognitive reserve” that buffers the aging brain. Your call for proactive screening dovetails with the newest clinical guidance from neurologists, who now emphasize blood-pressure control, aerobic exercise, and anxiety reduction as front-line brain-sparing tools long before disease shows up on a PET scan.
In other words, every walk around the block, every leafy-green meal, every deep conversation is a small deposit into our neural savings account. The sooner individuals, communities, and healthcare systems align around this prevention-first mindset, the more resilient our collective future becomes. Grateful for the clarity and urgency you bring to the conversation — here’s to an infinity of daily choices that protect the mind of humanity.
Thank you for adding to this conversation with such profound insight, Karma. Your "neural savings account" analogy captures what we've been missing in the conversations - that every positive action, no matter how small, compounds into cognitive resilience over decades.
You've articulated something crucial about the early warning signs - irritability, word-finding pauses, withdrawal from hobbies. These subtle changes often get dismissed as "normal aging" when they're actually opportunities for intervention. The gap between when these signs appear and when people seek help is where we lose time.
It's very important to understand the role of glutathione and detoxification . Dr Alan Pressman suggested to improve the supply of the building blocks of glutathione. The tripeptide is made up of cysteine,glycine,and glutamate acid . It is also important that methylation process is functioning well. It has been noted that the over consumption of simple sugars sets up a condition of glycation where you are burning yourself up from the inside. The micronutrients that are essential for metabolic processes to function properly mostly come from leafy greens and the rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Of course a supply of clean water is essential to keep the detoxification process running smoothly. Getting up and moving around improves your chances of detoxification . Think of fiber and water as a power wash to broom out metabolic waste.
People want a medicine or a combination of nutrients to do the work for them. I don't think it's that simple the major pharmaceutical companies would like to have product to sell that would do that for you. So far there's nothing they can Market. In the meantime do the modalities that promote liver function and to keep the bionome as full of good bacteria as possible. It's been suggested that Bad bacteria in cured meats
disrupts the balance. consuming a lot of white flour glunks up the system too and interferes with Transit time. Too much alcohol causes disbiosis. That's why I called Donald Trump the disbiotic despot. I could help him feel better within a month and maybe he would be less angry the Chinese herbalists say the more toxic your liver is the more anger you have
and yet, DJT is a tee-totaler.
This is an excellent post and I’m sharing it with my family. My family history didn’t predispose us of cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s per se, but the many other variables have. Out of eight children of parents whom were neurologically intact until their 90’s, two have developed Alzheimer’s related mental decline, they are twins.
Thank you for sharing your family's experience. This is exactly why I advocate for comprehensive assessment and early intervention. Even without a strong genetic predisposition, the various modifiable factors we discussed can dramatically impact cognitive outcomes. I hope the prevention strategies in the article prove helpful.
Great article
🙏🏻 Thank you.
Why is bacon listed as a processed red meat? It's just meat. These studies would be more useful if they instead pointed to the additives as the problem and not the meat itself.
Great question! This is a common point of confusion that deserves clarification.
Bacon does start as pork (a red meat), it undergoes several processing steps that fundamentally transform it from its original state.
Commercial bacon typically involves:
- Curing with salt and sodium nitrites/nitrates
- Smoking
- Frequently contains added sugar, flavor enhancers, and other additives
Interestingly, studies comparing uncured, additive-free meats to highly processed versions show different health outcomes.
I make a distinction between:
- Factory-farmed processed meats with additives
- Pasture-raised meats without preservatives
You're right, future research isolating these variables more precisely would be valuable. For now, if you enjoy bacon, look for uncured, nitrate-free versions from pasture-raised animals and cook at lower temperatures as a sensible middle ground.
There's something very seductive about the aroma of sizzling bacon in the morning. I've had to learn how to just say no!
Niman Ranch had outdoor raised hogs, no preservatives except for celery powder, but Sprouts kept running out of it. I've found since covid you have to go back and read labels again as some companies seem to have changed things. Still, I find several options for preservative free, free range pigs readily available. Of course, the best thing would be to find a local producer.
Please share any brands you find that meet that criteria, I'm always looking for resources for my clients that have that food preference.
Here is a site that is helpful https://www.eatwild.com/products/ But searching for "direct to consumer/organic/regenerative near me" will pick up a lot more.
Here is a good one for hogs but I've not tried them myself
https://sagemountainbeef.com/store/pastured-pork
The prices look high but I figure the ratio of nutrition per dollar spent is much better, plus I'm not eating meat every day so it works for me. I think bison is a good option for hamburger and that is readily available at Costco.
I applaud you for not only reading ingredients labels, but for doing it again for the same product. That's very astute.
Agreed. The word “processed” is key. I make my own bacon and the key cure is #1, sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite is suitable for cured meat that will be cooked.
Processed meat eaten as is (salami, summer sausage, etc) uses cure #2, which is both nitrate and nitrite. The nitrate should be converted to nitrite during the aging process.
I wonder if it’s not the meat itself, but the cure mixtures.
I believe use of AI will come to be seen as a risk factor
Your concern has merit from a systems-health perspective. As our brains evolved to engage with natural environments and complex social interactions, there are legitimate questions about how AI-mediated experiences might affect our cognitive development and maintenance.
This is something I've thought about deeply and I'm writing an article about it. As you say, systems maintenance, and I am interested in age related cognitive decline as it relates to lifestyle factors, requires engaging with a complex environment.
Loved your article btw 🙏🏻
I applaud you for not only reading ingredients labels, but for doing it again for the same product. That’s very astute.
Since it's now being considered a type of diabetes, don't you need to get you carb consumption as low as possible? I would think your AIC need to be normal or low. There are examples of people that were in long term care facilities for dementia symptoms that have gone home to take care of themselves after eating a carnivore diet.
Thats an important connection - metabolic health and brain function. While Alzheimer's is called "Type 3 diabetes" due to shared insulin resistance mechanisms, the optimal approach appears more nuanced than just minimizing all carbs. What we see clinically is that metabolic flexibility and insulin sensitivity matter most - achieved through targeted nutrition approaches and the carnivore diet is a way to achieve this along with other diets that improve insulin sensitivity.
Masterpieces of illustration! And important information....
thank you 🙏🏻
You have given me a lot of information to guide preventative habits
This is an amazing article. Thank you for writing it. So many things to get working on and/or continue.
Thank you Laura, I added this sort of summary document with ranges of test pricing and reasons to consider each test. https://drive.google.com/file/d/15BlXEZFVKZdsq-WZRd9X7qeWHiaAPaGg/view?usp=sharing
Excellent article. Thank you.
🙏🏻
I really need to get over my fear of getting tested. My mother and all the women on her side of the family have had dementia. I took care of my mom for six years and watch the horrible decline. I know it’s coming for me and it’s kept me from getting tested. After reading your article I think it’s time.
Thank you for sharing something so personal. Your courage in even considering testing after witnessing your mother's journey is remarkable.
I understand your hesitation. This hits close to home for me too - my wife's mother and grandmother both experienced many years of severe Alzheimer's dementia, which has fueled our passion for this work. My wife specializes in the psychophysiologic testing and interventions in our clinic.
What I've learned, both professionally and personally, is that knowledge truly is power when it comes to health. The testing process isn't about confirming an inevitable fate - it's about gaining specific insights that can shape targeted prevention strategies.
Whenever you decide the time is right for testing, approach it as an act of self-care rather than confirmation of fears. And know that whatever the results, you won't have to face the journey alone.
.... 'don't eat red meat'.... No.. Don't eat red meat (or any meat) from animals that have been vaccinated and raised on a diet of grain from plants covered in glyphosate....... Eat red meat raised on natural grass.... Do you need to find studies or can you use your common sense?
It’s already here, and living in the Whitehouse. Crazy times!
Eliminate alcohol
this recommendation might be one of the most powerful.
I 100% agree, I eliminated all alcohol from my life 8 years ago. Despite loving my wine and the social rituals around it, I made this decision after reviewing the mounting evidence on alcohol's health impacts. The cognitive, metabolic, and inflammatory consequences simply weren't worth the momentary indulgence.
The most recent scientific evidence strongly supports this choice. dismantling the "moderate drinking is beneficial" myth. Some key findings worth noting:
- Even low levels of consumption (1-2 drinks per week) are associated with detectable changes in brain volume and structure
- Alcohol disrupts deep sleep architecture critical for amyloid clearance
- The supposed cardiovascular benefits have largely been debunked when controlling for confounding variables
- Alcohol is directly neurotoxic and promotes neuroinflammation
This isn't about morality or judgment - it's simply about recognizing that our brains function optimally without this particular substance.
Thank you for talking about prevention. I am impressed you replied to people's comments. I see your wife's family has a history of Alzheimer's. "This hits close to home for me too - my wife's mother and grandmother both experienced many years of severe Alzheimer's dementia". You also say knowledge is power. Here is more knowledge that will help your wife and other's prevent Alzheimer's. My mother in law had late onset Alzheimer's and when my husband learned there was no treatment being a scientist he started reading the research to find ways to help her. He achieved his goal. Her symptoms decreased and her cognition improved. She lived to age 97 and was not in end stage Alzheimer's. My husband learned an environmental toxin is the cause of Alzheimer's and this toxin can be removed by something that is essential for the body, silica in the form of OSA which is found in mineral water. My husband Dennis N Crouse using Causal Inference proves this toxin is the cause of all the biomarkers which have been identified for Alzheimer's. He has published this information. He also shares the Crouse Protocol he developed for his mother which uses things that are essential for the body to protect the brain from toxins and improve brain health. We have a website, I am on substack, and I have a you tube channel. I am willing to answer any questions you or people may have.
Thank you for sharing. This is important information. In our practice, we regularly include heavy metal testing using the mercury tri-test plus metals panel, which has revealed unexpected risk factors in many clients. Aluminum, in particular, deserves attention given its widespread presence in our environment and its potential neurological effects.
Great you evaluate people for aluminum toxicity and other environmental toxins which can cause cognitive impairment. Agreed we are exposed to so many sources of aluminum on a daily basis which makes it challenging to avoid all sources of aluminum. Some sources are well publicized such as antiperspirants, cookware and aluminum cans. Other sources are not well known like most drip style coffee makers, baking powder, most water filters that remove fluoride, and aluminum salts are used to treat drinking water. Here is a video I made of sources of aluminum and how to find safer alternatives. https://silicawater.substack.com/p/sources-of-aluminum-in-your-kitchen
Aluminum. Thank you for reading my comment.
Will you please address urinary tract and bladder infections as they relate to dementia, especially in the elderly? This has been a cause that I’ve become increasingly aware of by dealing with doctors treating loved ones.
Was not sure if you were assking about UTI's increasing risk of dementia or increased rates of UTI in dementia patients - so I will address both:
While research hasn't yet established a direct causative link between recurrent UTIs and increased dementia rates, the correlation is certainly significant. People diagnosed with dementia have approximately twice the odds of experiencing UTIs compared to age-matched controls without cognitive impairment.
What's challenging in older adults is that UTIs often present atypically, instead of classic symptoms, we may see sudden confusion, behavioral changes, or worsening cognitive symptoms that may be mistaken for disease progression rather than an acute, treatable condition.