We’ve all been taught to follow our doctor’s instructions. But when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, is that really the best choice? The answer is: not always.
If your doctor tells you that standard medications or clinical trials are your only options — and suggests getting your affairs in order — it may be time to consider a better, science-backed approach.
Why the Standard of Care for Alzheimer’s Fails
The traditional three-step process for treating Alzheimer’s typically looks like this:
- Visit the doctor when cognitive decline becomes noticeable
- Receive a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease
- Begin a medication regimen that does not stop disease progression
This outdated model usually leads to the prescription of more medications to manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s — such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, incontinence, aggression, and depression. Each additional drug adds potential side effects, undermining both brain function and overall health.
This “standard of care” is not designed to prevent, reverse, or even slow down cognitive decline in any meaningful way.
Why Doctors Stick to the Standard — And Why You Don’t Have To
Many doctors do not deviate from the standard protocol because doing so could open them up to liability. They are expected to follow approved guidelines, even if those guidelines are outdated or ineffective.
But here’s the truth: You are not required to follow that same path.
You are free to choose a more proactive, personalized, and functional medicine approach that aims to identify and address the root causes of cognitive decline.
What You Can Do Instead
Here are 5 evidence-based steps you can take right now to protect your brain and improve your cognitive future:
- Start prevention early, even before any symptoms appear.
- Never assume that cognitive decline is a normal part of aging.
- Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Early intervention is key to reversal.
- Learn how to take charge of your own brain health — including ordering lab tests, evaluating risk factors, and making targeted lifestyle changes.
- Work with a functional medicine provider trained in reversing cognitive decline, such as those who use the ReCODE Protocol.
Real Results Using the ReCODE Protocol
One of my clients, recently diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, began the ReCODE Protocol just a few months ago. His MoCA score — a test of memory and cognitive ability — increased from 24 (MCI range) to 29, just one point shy of a perfect score.
Although he’s now testing in the “normal” range, we’re not stopping there. We’re continuing to address underlying issues like gut health, toxin exposure, and inflammation — all of which impact brain health.
This kind of result is not unusual. More and more individuals with MCI or even early-to-moderate Alzheimer’s are seeing improvements with ReCODE.
A Better Path Forward for Alzheimer’s and MCI
The bottom line is this: There is currently no standard medical treatment that prevents dementia, and most prescription drugs do not improve outcomes in a meaningful way.
But you do have another option.
You have the power to use prevention strategies, apply root-cause medicine, and embrace an approach that can actually support cognitive improvement, even after a diagnosis.
If you’re seeking an example of what’s possible, take a look at Marama, a full-time residential care facility implementing the ReCODE Protocol and achieving promising results.
Final Thoughts
Don’t wait for things to get worse. Don’t accept that there’s nothing you can do. And, most importantly, don’t let outdated medicine define your future.
It’s time to choose an evidence-based approach to brain health that’s proactive, personalized, and proven to help people thrive — whether you’re preventing Alzheimer’s or working to reverse it.
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.