Protecting Your Mind: 

A Data-Driven, Functional Medicine Approach to 

Cognitive Health and Dementia Prevention

Cognitive decline is a concern for many as they age, especially for those with a family history of dementia. If you witnessed your parents or grandparents struggle with their cognitive health, it can feel like your genetic destiny is written in stone…and terrifying. 

But there is good news.

While your genes play a role, they are only part of the story. By understanding your genetic tendencies and addressing your unique epigenetic opportunities, you have the power to positively influence your brain health and reduce your risk of dementia.

This blog outlines how a data-driven, functional medicine approach provides clarity on your unique genetic and physiological challenges as a targeted path forward to protect your amazing mind and powerfully vote for your cognitive health.

Your Genes Are Not Your Fate

Your genetic code carries valuable information about your predisposition to certain conditions, including dementia. For example:

  • APOE4 Gene: Variants of this gene are strongly associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing whether you carry one or two copies of APOE4 provides insights into your risk level.
  • MTHFR Variants: These influence how your body metabolizes folate and methylates DNA, which can impact brain function and cognitive resilience.

But…genes are not the final word. 

Research shows that your lifestyle, environment, and choices—the factors influencing epigenetics—can significantly modulate gene expression. This means that even if you carry genetic markers for dementia, targeted interventions can reduce your risk.

The Role of Epigenetics in Cognitive Health

Epigenetics is the science of how lifestyle and environmental factors influence which genes are “turned on” or “off.” Many epigenetic factors are knowable, measurable numbers.

Key epigenetic factors that impact cognitive health include:

  1. Inflammation: Chronic inflammation accelerates brain aging and cognitive decline.
  2. Oxidative Stress: An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants can damage brain cells.
  3. Nutrient Status: Deficiencies in nutrients like B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants can impair cognitive function.
  4. Sleep: Poor sleep disrupts brain detoxification and increases the risk of dementia.
  5. Exercise: Physical activity stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports neuroplasticity.

By assessing your unique epigenetic profile and addressing these areas, we can develop a personalized plan to support optimal brain health.

A Data-Driven Approach to Dementia Prevention

At Well Empowered, we take a data-driven, outcome-oriented and custom-crafted approach to preserving your cognitive health. 

We use genetic assessments and objective lab testing of your epigenetic status. We have you track your life – how you’re sleeping, how you’re eating and drinking, how you’re exercising, your stress levels and more. 

All of these data points provide the actionable information necessary to craft your targeted plan for protecting your cognitive health. 

Here’s what this looks like in greater detail:

1. Genetic Testing and Analysis

We start with a comprehensive genetic panel to identify key genes associated with cognitive health, such as APOE, MTHFR, COMT, and others. This testing provides one essential puzzle piece. We use private lab companies so that your results are kept confidential and are not shared with your insurance company. 

2. Lab Testing to Assess Epigenetic Markers

Functional lab testing helps us measure factors that influence gene expression, including:

  • Inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP, homocysteine)
  • Nutrient levels (e.g., B12, folate, omega-3s)
  • Blood sugar regulation (e.g., fasting glucose, insulin)
  • Hormonal balance (e.g., cortisol, thyroid hormones)

3. Customized Lifestyle Interventions

Based on your genetic and epigenetic profile paired with what we learn from your tracking, you are provided with a clear plan that may include:

  • Nutrition: Targeted guidance on your “low hanging fruit”, nutritionally speaking. You will understand what nutritional shifts will most meaningfully impact your cognitive health. 
  • Targeted Supplementation: We use professional grade supplements in a customized manner that supports healthy gene expression and commonly plays an important role in normalizing key lab markers. 
  • Exercise: Guidance on adopting rituals of exercise and movement designed to enhance brain function and reduce inflammation.
  • Sleep Optimization: Solutions for facilitating sufficient, restful sleep on a nightly basis. This is when your brain “takes out the trash”, removing the beta-amyloid plaque often associated with cognitive decline. 
  • Stress Management: Mind-body practices such as mindfulness and meditation to lower cortisol and improve cognitive resilience.

5. Guidance in Your Journey

Implementing a comprehensive plan that sticks takes time. Connecting regularly over the course of 4–6 months allows us to ensure you are geared up with the information, strategies and inspiration needed to implement your targeted plan, navigate challenges encountered, and sustain changes over time. During this period, you will also repeat epigenetic lab assessments, giving us the objective data we need to validate the fruits of our labor. 

The Long-Term Impact of a 

Data-Drive, Functional Medicine Approach

By understanding and addressing your genetic tendencies and key epigenetic markers, our work together empowers you to:

  • Reduce Your Risk of Dementia: Early interventions can slow or prevent the progression of cognitive decline.
  • Enhance Your Daily Cognitive Function: Improved focus, memory, and mental clarity are achievable goals.
  • Feel Empowered, Not Fearful: Understanding your health blueprint gives you access to authoring a different future. 

This approach isn’t just about preventing disease — it’s about enabling you to fulfill on what’s important to you in your health and in your life. 

Taking the First Step

Your family history may put you at higher risk, but it’s not a life sentence. A proactive, data-driven approach can help you understand your unique risk factors, your epigenetic opportunities, and take meaningful and targeted steps to protect your cognitive health.

If you’re ready to powerfully vote for your brain health, I’d be honored to guide you on this journey. 

Schedule your complimentary virtual consultation today.