Functional Medicine for Dementia
Dementia is not a single disease—it is a group of cognitive disorders that impair memory, decision-making, communication, and the ability to carry out daily activities. It represents a decline in brain function that affects individuals and families in profound ways. Traditional medical care typically recognizes dementia only after symptoms are significant and focuses primarily on managing the progression rather than preventing or reversing contributing factors.
Functional medicine offers a different path. Rather than treating dementia as an inevitable consequence of aging, it views cognitive decline as a multifactorial condition influenced by inflammation, hormones, nutrition, toxins, genetics, vascular health, and lifestyle patterns. This approach blends advanced diagnostics, targeted nutrition, metabolic optimization, detoxification, stress resilience strategies, and personalized interventions to uncover and address the root causes affecting brain function.
This philosophy aligns closely with Dr. Cynthia Libert’s mission at Caring for the Body, PLLC. Her work focuses on optimizing brain vitality, preventing cognitive decline, and supporting whole-person flourishing—body, mind, and spirit. She is dedicated to empowering patients with precision medicine and compassionate care rooted in evidence-based science and functional medicine principles.
Root Causes of Dementia Identified Through Functional Medicine
Inflammation & Immune Dysregulation
Chronic inflammation is a major driver of cognitive decline. Elevated inflammatory markers can activate microglia—the brain’s immune cells—leading to neuroinflammation and impaired neuronal communication. Underlying triggers may include:
- Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections
- Chronic illness
- High inflammatory load from diet or toxins
Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Dysfunction
Insulin resistance reduces the brain’s ability to use glucose efficiently, contributing to a phenomenon often referred to as “Type 3 Diabetes.” Mitochondria—the cell’s energy factories—also become less effective, leading to fatigue, cognitive slowing, and impaired resilience.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones play a crucial role in cognitive function. Dementia risk increases when the balance of key hormones is disrupted:
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Cortisol dysregulation from chronic stress
- Sex hormone decline during menopause or andropause
These shifts can affect memory, mood, sleep, and energy—all essential for brain health.
Gut–Brain Axis Disruption
The gut profoundly influences the brain through immunity, neurotransmitter production, and inflammatory signaling. Issues that contribute to dementia risk include:
- Dysbiosis (imbalanced gut microbiome)
- Leaky gut
- Food sensitivities
- Microbial overgrowth or infections
Advanced labs such as GI-MAP, Doctor’s Data, and Vibrant Wellness help identify gut-based contributors to cognitive decline.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Brain function depends on optimal nutrient status. Deficiencies in key nutrients can accelerate cognitive decline:
- B vitamins (for methylation and memory)
- Vitamin D
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Magnesium
- Antioxidants
- Mitochondrial nutrients supporting ATP (cellular energy) production
Toxic Load & Detoxification Issues
Environmental toxins have been strongly linked to neurodegeneration. Relevant exposures include:
- Heavy metals
- Mold/mycotoxins
- Pesticides and pollutants
Dr. Libert uses Quicksilver Scientific, Vibrant Wellness, and other specialty labs to assess toxic burden and detox capacity.
Vascular Health & Oxygenation Impairment
The brain requires a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. Disruption in vascular health—common with aging, inflammation, or metabolic disorders—reduces cerebral oxygenation and accelerates cognitive decline.
Issues include:
- Microvascular dysfunction
- Endothelial lining damage
- Impaired nitric oxide production and circulation
Genetic Susceptibility
Genetics do not determine your destiny—but they do influence risk. The APOE4 allele is the most significant genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Functional genomics tools like 3X4 Genetics and IntellxxDNA help uncover additional personalized pathways to target for prevention.
Diagnostic Tools Used in Functional Medicine for Dementia
Understanding dementia requires more than a brief office visit or a standard memory screening. Functional medicine expands the diagnostic landscape, allowing us to uncover the subtle, interconnected factors contributing to cognitive decline—often years before a formal diagnosis is made.
Comprehensive Medical & Cognitive Assessment
Dr. Libert’s evaluation begins with a deep understanding of your personal health story:
- Detailed medical, lifestyle, and symptom history—including early cognitive changes, sleep patterns, mood shifts, toxin exposure, and stress load
- Neurocognitive testing to assess memory, attention, processing speed, and executive function
- Family and genetic risk evaluation, including APOE status and broader genomic vulnerabilities
This root-cause assessment forms the foundation of your personalized Brain + Body Vitality Blueprint.
Laboratory Testing
Functional medicine uses advanced laboratory testing to identify hidden contributors to cognitive decline. These may include:
- Inflammatory markers such as CRP, homocysteine, and cytokine profiles
- Hormone panels, including thyroid, adrenal (cortisol), and sex hormones
- Advanced lipid and vascular markers to assess endothelial health and blood flow
- Nutrient status, including B vitamins, vitamin D, omega-3s, magnesium, antioxidants, and mitochondrial cofactors
- Toxicity panels for mold/mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and other environmental exposures
Specialized labs such as Genova Diagnostics, Vibrant Wellness, Quicksilver Scientific, Doctor’s Data, and Diagnostic Solutions provide the precision needed for targeted dementia prevention.
Brain Imaging & Neurological Assessments (When Indicated)
While not always necessary, imaging can provide valuable insight when symptoms are progressing or root causes remain unclear.
Tools include:
- MRI to assess structural integrity
- Volumetric analysis to evaluate brain shrinkage or atrophy
- Neurovascular evaluation to examine circulation and endothelial health
These findings help refine a comprehensive, whole-person treatment plan.
Functional Medicine Interventions for Slowing & Preventing Dementia
Dementia prevention thrives on personalization. Functional medicine tailors interventions to match each patient’s biology, risks, and goals—addressing dysfunction at its source.
Personalized Nutrition for Cognitive Health
Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools for protecting the brain. Dr. Libert integrates:
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition to reduce cytokine activity
- Low-glycemic, brain-healthy foods to stabilize insulin and support energy regulation
- Mediterranean or ketogenic variants, based on metabolic needs
- Mitochondrial nourishment strategies, including healthy fats, antioxidants, polyphenols, and targeted supplements
This approach supports optimal fuel delivery to neurons, helping restore clarity and resilience.
Gut Restoration Protocols
Because the gut significantly influences brain health, addressing digestive imbalances is essential. Strategies include:
- Microbiome balancing with probiotics, botanicals, and dietary modulation
- SIBO/SIFO treatment to reduce inflammation and improve nutrient absorption
- GI repair protocols targeting leaky gut and immune activation
Advanced GI testing (GI-MAP, Doctor’s Data, Vibrant Wellness) guides these interventions with precision.
Hormone Optimization
Hormones orchestrate many processes linked to cognition, mood, sleep, and stress resilience. Support may include:
- Thyroid optimization
- Adrenal recovery therapies to normalize cortisol rhythms
- Bioidentical hormone replacement when clinically indicated
Balanced hormones help stabilize energy levels and improve executive function.
Detoxification & Environmental Health
Environmental toxins are a major, often overlooked contributor to neurodegeneration. Dr. Libert’s approach includes:
- Mild detox support to enhance liver and lymphatic function
- Mold remediation guidance when exposure is identified
- Heavy metal detoxification using binders and nutrient support
- Sauna therapy, binders, and targeted supplements to reduce total toxic load
Vibrant and Quicksilver toxin panels inform these strategies.
Mitochondrial Repair & Energy Enhancement
Healthy mitochondria create the energy necessary for cognition, memory, and cellular repair. Interventions include:
- Nutrient repletion (CoQ10, PQQ, NAD precursors, omega-3s)
- Red light therapy to boost ATP production
- PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy)
- Exercise prescriptions tailored to cardiovascular and metabolic capacity
Restoring cellular energy is central to slowing cognitive decline.
Vascular & Oxygenation Support
Brain vitality depends on robust blood flow and oxygen delivery. Strategies to improve these include:
- Microcirculation support with supplements such as Arterosil® and nitric oxide boosters
- Breathing exercises to improve oxygen capacity and reduce stress
- HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) for enhanced tissue oxygenation
- EWOT (Exercise With Oxygen Therapy) to support vascular flexibility and mitochondrial function
Nervous System & Stress Resilience
Chronic stress accelerates cognitive decline and shrinks brain volume over time. Functional medicine incorporates:
- Meditation, breathwork, and gratitude practices for autonomic balance
- Trauma-informed somatic tools to regulate the nervous system
- Faith-based mindset support to cultivate resilience, hope, and emotional grounding
These practices strengthen neural pathways essential for cognitive longevity.
The Re-Think Aging™ Program: A Comprehensive Pathway for Dementia Prevention
Dr. Libert’s signature Re-Think Aging™ program is designed for individuals who want a proactive, structured, and scientifically grounded approach to protecting their brains for the long term.
Who the Program Is Designed For
- Adults 40–65+
- APOE4 carriers
- Individuals with a family history of dementia
- High-achieving adults noticing early cognitive changes or increased stress load
These adults value independence, longevity, and staying mentally sharp through midlife and beyond.
What the Program Includes
The program combines advanced medical insight with compassionate coaching and faith-centered support.
Participants receive:
- A 2-hour deep-dive consultation with Dr. Libert
- Advanced lab panel + Review of Findings visit
- A customized Brain + Body Vitality Blueprint
- Three months of lifestyle transformation guided by Dr. Libert and the team
- Twice-monthly Live Office Hours with Dr. Libert
- Precision supplements, detox strategies, and brain resilience practices tailored to individual needs
Why the Program Works
Re-Think Aging™ is effective because it:
- Targets the root causes of cognitive decline
- Integrates advanced diagnostics with whole-person care
- Supports neuroplasticity, mitochondrial health, and metabolic repair
- Helps patients build sustainable habits that promote lifelong brain health
It is a powerful synergy of science, lifestyle medicine, and compassionate guidance grounded in Dr. Libert’s mission and values.
Protect Your Brain and Future — Start Your Healing Journey Today
Dementia is not inevitable. With functional medicine’s root-cause approach, it is possible to identify your unique risk factors, strengthen brain resilience, and reclaim a future defined not by fear, but by vitality, clarity, and hope. By addressing the biological systems that influence cognition—nutrition, hormones, inflammation, gut health, detoxification, vascular support, stress resilience, and genetics—we can help you create a healthier, stronger, more vibrant brain.
Dr. Cynthia Libert and the Caring for the Body team are here to walk with you on a personalized path toward cognitive longevity and whole-person flourishing. You do not have to navigate the uncertainty of cognitive decline alone—there is guidance, there is clarity, and there is a path forward.
If you're ready to take the next step, we would be honored to support you.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today.
📍 Caring for the Body, PLLC – Center for Functional Medicine
1998 Hendersonville Rd, Suite #24
Asheville, NC 28803
🌐 https://caringforthebody.org