If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s or have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), you probably understand how important early action is to prevent dementia. But despite good intentions, many people still fail to protect their brain health.
Why is that?
In my experience, most failures in Alzheimer’s prevention can be traced back to two root causes: a lack of knowledge and a lack of support. But these root causes show up in predictable ways that I think of as “symptoms.” Let’s look at both.
🚫 5 Common Mistakes That Sabotage Alzheimer’s Prevention
1️⃣ Not Getting Comprehensive Testing
Standard bloodwork misses critical clues.
Basic lab tests don’t detect early markers of neurodegeneration, toxic burdens, or nutrient deficiencies that can contribute to cognitive decline. If you don’t test for the right things, you’re missing critical data and critical opportunities to intervene early.
2️⃣ Underestimating Environmental Toxins
Mold, metals, pesticides, and infections silently fuel brain inflammation.
Most people aren’t testing for these root causes or treating them properly. But toxins are one of the major drivers of neurodegenerative processes and are often overlooked in traditional care.
3️⃣ Incomplete Brain Support Through Diet & Exercise
A little better isn’t enough.
Occasional workouts or cutting back on junk food isn’t enough to reverse brain aging. Blood sugar imbalances, poor nutrition, and sedentary habits accelerate cognitive decline. Brain-healthy living requires a targeted, sustainable lifestyle, not just willpower.
4️⃣ Ignoring Sleep Quality
Sleep is when your brain detoxes.
Chronic sleep deprivation raises Alzheimer’s risk. Many people either ignore their sleep problems or treat symptoms with medication without investigating underlying causes. Optimizing sleep naturally is one of the most powerful tools for brain repair.
5️⃣ Focusing on Just One or Two Things
Prevention isn’t a supplement — it’s a system.
A few isolated changes (like taking omega-3s or eating healthier) won’t move the needle enough. Prevention requires synergy — multiple optimized habits working together, guided by measurable data and expert support.
🧠 The Real Root Causes: Why Most People Still Don’t Take Action
Even when people know these facts, most still don’t follow through. Why? Here’s what I believe are the real reasons:
1️⃣ Lack of Knowledge
Most people simply don’t know what to do.
They’ve never been taught the actual causes of Alzheimer’s or how to identify which ones apply to them. That’s not their fault. The information isn’t widely available in traditional health care.
2️⃣ Lack of Support
Lifestyle changes are the hardest changes to make.
Even if you know what to do, following through is hard. Just like New Year’s resolutions, it’s easy to start strong and then lose steam. Without consistent support and accountability, even the best intentions fizzle out.
3️⃣ Cost Perception
Prevention feels optional — until it’s too late.
When you’re not yet experiencing serious symptoms, it can be easy to put off investing in your health. But by the time Alzheimer’s symptoms show up, the disease has often been progressing for 10 to 30 years. Early action is far more effective (and affordable).
💥 Alzheimer’s Isn’t Inevitable — But It Is Sneaky
You don’t reverse or prevent Alzheimer’s by accident.
It’s a complex, multi-factorial disease. And we all know someone who seemed perfectly healthy … until they weren’t. The truth is, Alzheimer’s often develops silently for decades before symptoms show up. By then, the window for prevention may be closing.
And it’s not just about aging. The rise in early-onset Alzheimer’s under age 65 is alarming, and much of it is linked to environmental toxins and chronic inflammation.
Fun fact: My optometrist told me he recently diagnosed three people in their 40s with age-related cataracts. The No. 1 thing he said could prevent them? Exercise. Did you know that?
👩⚕️ Why This Is Personal for Me
My mom didn’t have to get Alzheimer’s. I truly believe that if she’d had access to the right knowledge and support early on, her symptoms could have been prevented or even reversed. But by the time those resources were available, it was too late.
That’s why I created Direct Access, a supportive, affordable, and actionable community for people who want to preventor reverse cognitive decline.
🔬 What I’m Doing (and You Can, Too)
Even though I follow the ReCODE protocol and feel great cognitively, I’m not taking any chances. I recently ordered two key blood tests to assess brain-related biomarkers like pTau. Why?
Because Alzheimer’s is silent until it isn’t. And when you know more, you can do more.
If my results aren’t optimal, I’ll identify why, take action, and retest. You can do the same, and I can help you every step of the way.
✅ Ready to Take Control of Your Brain Health?
If you’re not sure whether you’re really preventing Alzheimer’s — or if you’ve recently been diagnosed with MCI — don’t wait.
Let’s do this together.
👉 Click here to learn more about Direct Access
Or schedule a one-on-one consultation here: My Online Calendar
Your brain is worth it. Let’s protect it together.
Angela Chapman, M.Ed., FDN-P, is a certified ReCODE practitioner and brain health educator. Her weekly newsletter is packed with cutting-edge information on how to prevent, slow, or reverse cognitive decline.
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