With nearly 10 million new dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnoses each year, the question looms: Is this fate sealed by our genes, or shaped by how we live? At the Center for Cognitive Resilience, Dr. Manna Semby, Michael Sanders, and Dr. Erela Rappaport are on a mission to prove it’s both—and that we can fight back. Joining Jim Puplava, this trio of experts—trained in Dr. Dale Bredesen’s ReCODE 2.0 protocol, which boasts an 84% success rate in reversing dementia symptoms—shares a message of hope: prevention and reversal are possible.

Founded by their shared passion, the Center blends naturopathic medicine (Semby), sleep-focused dentistry (Rappaport), and health coaching (Sanders) to tackle cognitive decline holistically. “We have been driven by a drive to raise awareness that dementia is preventable in many cases,” says Dr. Semby. Here’s what they revealed about the roots of dementia and how to rewrite its story.

Listen to the full audio interview and discussion here: The New Frontier in Brain Health: How Lifestyle Changes Can Combat Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Genes vs. Lifestyle: The Dual Drivers

Is dementia a hereditary ticking time bomb or a lifestyle misstep? Dr. Semby sees it as a dance between the two. “When it is genetics, if it is only genetics, we would not have seen the increase that we are seeing,” she explains, noting genes like APOE4 and presenilin 12 heighten risk—especially in early-onset cases. Yet the global surge points to lifestyle and environment as culprits. “The reason we see an increase at the rate we do… is because of lifestyle and the environment that we live in,” she adds. From pollution to diet, the modern world is stacking the deck—but it’s a game we can play smarter.

The Mouth and Sleep Connection

Dr. Rappaport unveils a surprising twist: your mouth and sleep hold keys to brain health. Poor oral hygiene, she warns, hikes dementia risk by 1.5 times. “Bacteria… responsible for gum diseases, particularly P. Gingivalis… have been found in the brain,” she says, linking gum inflammation to cognitive decline. Then there’s sleep apnea, where blocked airways rob the brain of oxygen and deep rest. “It doesn’t allow our brain to cleanse itself… of these beta-amyloid plaques,” she notes—a hallmark of dementia.

Her fix? For mild to moderate cases, skip the clunky CPAP for a simple oral appliance. “It will keep your lower jaw in a slightly forward position… so that tongue can’t fall back,” she explains. Sanders, a convert, raves, “I will not even go camping without it… I wake up so much more well-rested.”

Women at Risk: The Hormone Factor

Why are women diagnosed with dementia twice as often as men? Dr. Semby ties it to menopause. “Once they lose their estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone… their global systems take a hit,” she says. Symptoms like brain fog and sleeplessness can brew for years, unnoticed. “Perhaps it actually begins at midlife with the loss of hormones,” she warns, urging women—especially post-hysterectomy—to act early. “Do not do nothing about it,” she advises, pushing for proactive symptom management with a doctor.

Beyond Pills: A Lifestyle Revolution

Traditional medicine’s pill-for-all approach falls flat, slowing decline by just 10-15%. “They don’t really make a big difference,” Dr. Semby laments. Enter Medicine 2.0, where lifestyle reigns. Sanders recalls Puplava’s mother, whose diet tweaks stretched six months into three years. “Some simple changes in diet enhanced her lifespan by almost three years, which is incredible,” he marvels. The Center’s ReCODE protocol targets seven pillars: nutrition, exercise, stress, sleep, detox, brain stimulation, and supplements. “We’re not depending on just one way,” Sanders emphasizes—it’s a full-body reboot.

The Bredesen Seven: A Brain Health Playbook

What fuels dementia? The team tackles Bredesen’s six (now seven) components. Dr. Semby lists toxins—mold, heavy metals, glyphosate—as neurotoxic threats. Nutrients? “Do you have enough vitamin D, B12, omegas… estrogen, progesterone?” she asks. Stress and infections like Lyme or P. Gingivalis (nodding to Rappaport’s oral link) add risk, while structure (think concussions) and signaling (neural communication) round it out. Sanders zooms in on nutrition with KetoFLEX 12/3: “A piece of wild Alaskan salmon… steamed broccoli and cauliflower”—low-carb, high-fat, with a 12-hour fast and three-hour pre-sleep buffer. “Our brain thrives on those [fats],” he says.

Testing the Brain: When and How

In addition to standard physicals—these experts dig deeper. Dr. Semby champions the BrainScan blood test, new in 2024, to spot inflammation and plaques early. “It can be 20 to 30 years before you get a diagnosis,” she warns, pushing a “cognoscopy” by age 40—especially with family history. Neuropsych evaluations and toxin screens follow, though Medicare lags. “Most of these tests are not covered by insurance,” she admits, but the MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) is a covered starting point. “Compare that to the cost of not taking action,” she urges.

Red Flags to Watch For

Early signs? Dr. Semby says to look out for recall struggles, mood swings, and sleep woes. Sanders adds, “You find yourself confused and getting lost” on familiar drives or misplacing keys in the fridge. Dr. Rappaport nails it: “When you find the keys, do you know what they’re for?” If that gut feeling whispers “something’s up,” they say, act fast.

Rewiring Behavior, Rewriting Outcomes

Modifiable behaviors are king. Sanders critiques the Big Mac-fries-Coke trap: “These are toxic for our… brain.” Swap it for ketogenic clarity—olive oil, salmon, leafy greens. Stress, inactivity, and hidden toxins (candles, cosmetics, mercury fillings) pile on risk. “Are we couch surfers or… getting out in the morning sun?” he asks. Dr. Rappaport flags decaying amalgams: “They will start releasing toxins such as mercury.”

Ketones: Brain Fuel Unleashed

Why are ketones a game-changer for brain health? “I like to think of [them] as brain food,” Dr. Manna Semby declares, emphasizing their role beyond mere energy. She explains they’re anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and bolster the blood-brain barrier—key defenses against cognitive decline. Michael Sanders brings it home, tracking his own levels with MCT oil-laced bulletproof coffee: “It’s enhancing the function of the brain.” He contrasts this with glucose spikes that fog the mind: “When it’s running on glucose… it’s spiking the blood sugar… ketones sharpen it.” Semby adds, “The energy is cleaner… it lasts longer,” unlocking sharper focus and resilience.

Tech and Tools: Saunas to Spanish

From Dexcom glucose monitors to Oura sleep trackers, gadgets empower progress. Dr. Semby lauds saunas: “You’re perfusing the cerebral perfusion in the brain.” EWOT, red light therapy, and PEMF mats boost circulation too. Then there’s brain play—Dr. Semby loves ballroom dancing for neuroplasticity: “You’re increasing the adaptability of the brain.” Sanders, inspired, says we all need to go out and learn something new, even if it's a game like chess. If it's a game or activity that recruits your body, even better!

Take Action: Where to Start

Suspect dementia? Dr. Semby’s top picks: a neuropsych evaluation and BrainScan. Next, find a ReCODE-savvy provider. “Work with… a practitioner who has worked with people to prevent and reverse early stages,” she advises. Dr. Rappaport adds sleep checks: “We look for the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.” Sanders personally endorses the oral appliance designed by Dr. Rappaport as an alternative to a CPAP machine for managing his mild to moderate sleep apnea. “I will not even go camping without it… I wake up so much more well-rested,” Sanders said. The device is a custom mouthguard-like appliance that repositions the jaw to keep airways open, offering a simple, portable solution.

Hope in Action

“There’s hope,” Dr. Semby beams, echoing Puplava’s three-year win with his mother. “When people take action… loved ones and you can live much longer, healthier lives.” Visit CenterForCognitiveResilience.com for their “Find Your Brain Health Score” quiz and a free consult. Even without dementia, these steps can help sharpen memory—because who doesn’t forget their keys sometimes?

For related podcast, see The New Frontier in Brain Health: How Lifestyle Changes Can Combat Dementia and Alzheimer’s. If you’re not already a subscriber to our weekday FS Insider podcast, click here to subscribe.

For a link to our full podcast archive, see Financial Sense Newshour (All) and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Podcasts!

To learn more about Financial Sense® Wealth Management, give us a call at (888) 486-3939 or click here to contact us.

Advisory services offered through Financial Sense® Advisors, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Securities offered through Financial Sense® Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. DBA Financial Sense® Wealth Management. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or other advice.