Why Healthy People Still Get Alzheimer’s — and How to Prevent It

by

Why Do “Healthy” People Still Get Alzheimer’s?

If you’ve ever wondered how someone who seems healthy their whole life can end up with Alzheimer’s, you’re not alone. In this blog, I’m answering that exact question because this topic is especially important for women, for two key reasons:

  • Women make up two-thirds of all Alzheimer’s diagnoses.
  • Women are less likely to receive effective help once symptoms appear.

Most women with a family history of Alzheimer’s are deeply concerned but also deeply confused about what to do. And if they consider themselves “healthy,” they often just hope to stay that way. But here’s the hard truth: Truly healthy people do not get Alzheimer’s disease.

Health Is Not the Absence of Symptoms

We’ve been taught to think that “healthy” means no symptoms — or that taking medications to control symptoms equals good health. Neither is true.

My own mother is a powerful example. She was considered healthy, just like other women in my family. But they all died with Alzheimer’s. Once I became responsible for my mother’s care, I ordered advanced lab tests — and what we found proved she was not healthy. Unfortunately, it was far too late to explain it to her or change the outcome.

The Real Culprit: Hidden Metabolic Dysfunction

Research shows that 93% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy. And metabolic dysfunction often begins decades before cognitive symptoms appear. The early signs usually don’t feel like brain issues at all — but they quietly set the stage for cognitive decline.

You may already have some of these early symptoms, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • High blood sugar or insulin resistance
  • Chronic digestive issues (like GERD)
  • Angina or cholesterol problems

These are often treated with medications, many of which can actually accelerate cognitive decline.

Even more alarming, I’ve had clients who weren’t on any medications and looked completely healthy — until they were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. When we ran the right labs, hidden metabolic problems became clear. And those same tests could’ve shown the warning signs years before.

You Might Already Have the Clues

The best part? Some of these tests are likely in your medical file already. Your doctor may have ordered them but may not have interpreted them through the lens of brain health or Alzheimer’s prevention.

But I have good news: It’s within your control

Here’s the most important message I want to leave you with: You have more control than you think. When you understand how everything in your body is connected — especially your metabolism and your brain — you can take clear, practical steps to reduce your Alzheimer’s risk dramatically.

Angela Chapman, M.Ed, FDN-P, is a certified ReCODE practitioner and health educator. If you’re looking for ways to prevent or fight Alzheimer’s, her Sunday email is a great resource for you.