What If Alzheimer’s Isn’t Inevitable

Daily Choices for a Younger Brain

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2135827/fan_mail/new] Your brain isn’t on a fixed path. In this episode of Your Health Toolkit: The Neurology Sessions, you’ll hear from Dr. David Merrill, adult and geriatric psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and director of the Pacific Brain Health Center [https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/], as he shares how precision brain health can help you prevent or slow cognitive decline by targeting root causes you can actually change. You’ll learn why memory loss isn’t inevitable, how integrative and functional frameworks uncover what’s driving your symptoms, and why prevention always beats repair when it comes to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. In this episode, you’ll discover: * The difference between normal aging and memory loss, and how to tell the two apart * Why movement is medicine, from aerobic exercise that boosts BDNF to strength training that releases myokines and balance work that keeps your neural networks strong * How nutrition shapes brain function, with Mediterranean and plant-forward keto diets, time-restricted eating, and metabolic balance * The critical role of sleep and stress in brain repair, glymphatic clearance, and nighttime restoration * The gut–brain connection in Parkinson’s and how toxins and microbiome balance influence brain health * The power of social connection and community-based programs like Memory Club for cognitive and emotional strength * How emerging blood biomarkers can help you detect changes earlier and take action when it matters most Dr. Merrill reminds you that while genes load the gun, lifestyle pulls or spares the trigger. By focusing on movement, nutrition, rest, stress, and connection, you have the tools to protect and even enhance your brain health. If this conversation sparks a change you’re ready to make, subscribe, share it with someone you love, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. Then tell us: Which pillar will you start with this week? Resources & Links * About Dr. David Merrill  [https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/david-merrill/] * About Pacific Neuroscience Institute [https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/] * About Collaborative Natural Health Partners [http://www.ctnaturalhealth.com] Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website [http://www.ctnaturalhealth.com] or follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ctnaturalhealth/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/collaborativehealthct/] for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health. Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show.

What If Alzheimer’s Isn’t Inevitable

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2135827/fan_mail/new] Memory loss isn’t always a one-way street. In fact, it can be the first sign your brain is asking for help. In this episode of Your Health Toolkit: The Neurology Sessions, Dr. Lauren Young and Dr. Ashley Burkman sit down with Dr. Heather Sandison, naturopathic physician, researcher, and founder of memory care residential community, Marama, to chart a new path through brain fog, mild cognitive impairment, and early Alzheimer’s. Rather than chasing symptoms, Dr. Sandison focuses on six root causes of cognitive decline: toxins, nutrients, stressors, structure, signaling, and infections. The result is a personalized, humane, and data-driven approach that’s helping patients regain memory, joy, and identity. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How multi-modal, lifestyle-based programs are producing measurable cognitive gains within months. * The six root drivers of brain decline and how to start addressing them at home. * What the Bredesen approach reveals about neuroplasticity and brain repair. * How focusing on everyday lifestyle changes can improve brain volume and function. * Practical testing strategies for toxins, infections, hormones, glucose, and circulation. * How caregivers can protect their own health and energy on this journey. If you’ve ever been told “there’s nothing to be done,” this conversation offers a hopeful, evidence-based alternative - one built on community, daily habits, and the body’s capacity to heal. Resources & Links: * Learn more about Dr. Heather Sandison: https://www.drheathersandison.com [https://www.drheathersandison.com/]  * Explore Marama: https://www.maramaexperience.com [https://www.maramaexperience.com] * Listen to Dr. Sandison’s podcast Think Well, Age Well https://www.drheathersandison.com/thinkwell-agewell [https://www.drheathersandison.com/thinkwell-agewell/] * Explore more from Your Health Toolkit: https://www.ctnaturalhealth.com/podcasts [https://www.ctnaturalhealth.com/your-health-toolkit] Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website [http://www.ctnaturalhealth.com] or follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ctnaturalhealth/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/collaborativehealthct/] for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health. Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show.

Inside the Hidden Heart Brain Connection

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2135827/fan_mail/new] Your heart and brain are in constant conversation, and when that connection falters, everything from memory to mood to energy pays the price. In this episode of Your Health Toolkit: The Neurology Sessions, Dr. Lauren Young and Dr. Ashley Burkman sit down with cardiologist Dr. Jeffrey Thompson and physician assistant Shawn Brady to explore how your heart and brain work in sync, and what happens when that balance is lost. They unpack how blood flow, inflammation, and autonomic control shape your memory, mood, and energy—and why “normal” checkups can overlook early warning signs. You’ll learn: * How the autonomic nervous system connects heart rhythm and brain clarity. * Why fatigue, brain fog, and poor sleep can signal cardiovascular imbalance. * What sleep apnea and microvascular dysfunction reveal about hidden stress on the brain and heart. * The early role of endothelial health and oxygen delivery in long-term resilience. * Key labs and tests that catch issues before they become crises. * The daily habits—nutrition, movement, and stress recovery—that protect both systems. If you’ve ever been told your heart looks “fine” but you still feel worn down, this conversation is your next step toward understanding why and what you can do about it. Resources & Links: * Learn more about Cardiologist Dr. Jeffrey Thompsen and Shawn Brady, PA-C, from Center for the Healthy Heart [https://ctrhheart.com/] * Explore articles and resources from Collaborative Natural Health Partners [http://www.ctnaturalhealth.com] Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website [http://www.ctnaturalhealth.com] or follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ctnaturalhealth/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/collaborativehealthct/] for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health. Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show.

Reclaiming Brain Health with Dr. Terry Wahls

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2135827/fan_mail/new] What if the key to reversing symptoms of multiple sclerosis, or protecting your brain from fatigue, pain, and fog, was sitting right on your plate? In this inspiring episode of Your Health Toolkit: The Neurology Sessions, Dr. Lauren Young and Dr. Ashley Burkman sit down with Dr. Terry Wahls, clinical professor, researcher, and author of The Wahls Protocol. Dr. Wahls shares her remarkable journey of going from a tilt-recline wheelchair with progressive MS to riding her bike again, all through the power of nutrition, lifestyle changes, and functional medicine. Together, we explore: * Dr. Wahls’ personal story of resilience and recovery * Why mitochondria, the “powerhouse” of your cells, matter so much for brain and nervous system health * How to feed and protect your mitochondria with food, nutrients, and lifestyle shifts * The role of symptoms as biosensors, signals your body gives you when something’s off * Practical steps anyone can take to strengthen brain health, reduce fatigue, and move toward healing * The core principles of The Wahls Protocol and why they’re helping thousands worldwide This episode is both deeply moving and highly practical. Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, caring for a loved one, or simply wanting to feel your best, Dr. Wahls’ story is proof that change is possible — and that food and lifestyle are powerful medicine. Resources & Links: * Learn more about The Wahls Protocol: https://terrywahls.com [https://terrywahls.com] * Explore articles and resources from Collaborative Natural Health Partners: https://ctnaturalhealth.com [https://ctnaturalhealth.com] Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website [http://www.ctnaturalhealth.com] or follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ctnaturalhealth/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/collaborativehealthct/] for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health. Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show.

Welcome to Neurology and Naturopathic Health

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2135827/fan_mail/new] When most people think of naturopathic medicine, the brain isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Digestion? Sure. Hormones? Definitely. But your brain and nervous system are at the very center of it all—and without their optimal function, nothing else works the way it should. In this opening episode of The Neurology Sessions, Dr. Lauren Young and Dr. Ashley Burkman set the stage for the series by exploring why brain health is foundational to whole-person wellness. They share personal stories that highlight how neurological challenges—whether multiple sclerosis, anxiety, sleep struggles, or brain fog—impact not just patients, but families and caregivers too. You’ll learn: * What neurology actually encompasses (hint: it’s way more than memory and thinking). * Early signs that something might be “off” neurologically, from subtle mood changes to handwriting shifts. * Why naturopathic medicine looks beyond symptoms to address root causes like inflammation, nutrient imbalances, gut dysfunction, and chronic stress. * Practical, everyday steps—sleep, movement, nutrition, stress management—that anyone can start today to support better brain function. * How genetics shape risk but don’t dictate your destiny, and where lifestyle choices make all the difference. This series will take you deeper into memory, mood, movement disorders, and cutting-edge integrative approaches. But first, join Dr. Young and Dr. Burkman as they explain why the conversation around brain health matters now more than ever. Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website [http://www.ctnaturalhealth.com] or follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ctnaturalhealth/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/collaborativehealthct/] for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health. Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show.