What Is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a condition that affects the brain, gradually impacting memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to manage daily life. It is the most common cause of dementia and develops slowly over time, often years before clear symptoms are recognised.

Alzheimer’s is associated with the accumulation of abnormal protein structures known as amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain. These interfere with communication between brain cells, reduce their ability to produce energy, and eventually lead to the loss of neurons. As this process continues, areas of the brain responsible for memory, reasoning, language, and emotional regulation begin to weaken.

Top 10 Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Sign 1: Memory Loss That Affects Daily Life

One of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s is forgetting recent things again and again. A person may repeat the same question, forget a conversation that just happened, or struggle to remember important details of the day. This happens because the disease first affects the part of the brain that helps form new memories, making it harder to store and recall recent information. Unlike normal forgetfulness, this kind of memory loss starts to interfere with daily life and becomes more noticeable over time.

Sign 2: Difficulty Planning or Solving Problems

A person may start finding it hard to plan things or solve simple problems. Tasks like managing bills, following a familiar recipe, or routine chores. They may take much longer to complete tasks or avoid them altogether. This goes beyond occasional mistakes and begins to affect confidence and daily functioning.

Sign 3: Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks

A person may struggle to complete everyday tasks that were once easy for them. This could include making a simple meal, using household appliances, or driving to a familiar place. They may forget the steps involved or feel confused midway through the task. Over time, this difficulty can interfere with independence and daily routines.

Sign 4: Confusion With Time or Place

A person may lose track of dates and time. They might forget where they are or how they got there. For example, someone could suddenly be in a familiar neighborhood but feel lost or unsure about how to return home. This confusion is more persistent than occasional disorientation and can make daily life stressful.

Sign 5: Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships 

Alzheimer’s can affect the ability to read, judge distances, or recognize colors and shapes. This might make driving challenging or cause difficulty in navigating familiar spaces. Even understanding visual information, like a chart or map, can become confusing.

Sign 6: Problems With Words in Speaking or Writing

Someone may struggle to follow or join a conversation. They might pause frequently, use the wrong word, or call objects/people by the wrong name. Writing may also become difficult, with sentences that are incomplete or hard to understand. This goes beyond occasional forgetfulness and makes communication challenging.

Sign 7: Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps

A person may put things in unusual places, like leaving keys in the fridge. They may be unable to retrace their steps to find lost items, leading to frustration and suspicion. Unlike normal forgetfulness, these episodes happen more often and interfere with daily life.

Sign 8: Decreased or Poor Judgment

Alzheimer’s can affect decision-making and judgment. A person may make uncharacteristic financial choices, neglect personal hygiene, or dress inappropriately for the weather. This decline is noticeable because it departs from their usual behavior and can put them at risk.

Sign 9: Withdrawal From Work or Social Activities

Someone may start avoiding social interactions, hobbies, or work projects they once enjoyed. They might feel overwhelmed by tasks, lose interest in friends, or stop participating in activities because they feel embarrassed by difficulties with memory or thinking.

Sign 10: Changes in Mood and Personality

Alzheimer’s can cause rapid mood swings, increased anxiety, confusion, or low self esteem. A person may become easily upset, fearful, or unusually passive. These changes are different from normal emotional fluctuations and may be more noticeable to family and friends.

A Functional Nutrition Perspective on Alzheimer’s

At iThrive, we don’t see Alzheimer’s as only a problem of the brain. We see it as a reflection of what has been happening in the body for many years.

Long-term factors such as chronic inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, gut-brain imbalance, blood sugar dysregulation, toxin exposure, poor sleep, and prolonged stress can gradually influence how the brain functions and ages. When these factors persist, they may increase vulnerability to cognitive and neurological decline. 

Functional nutrition focuses on identifying and addressing these root contributors early. By supporting the brain with appropriate nutrition, reducing inflammatory load, strengthening gut health, and improving metabolic and nervous system balance, the goal is to support cognitive resilience and overall quality of life.

Why Early Detection Matters

By the time Alzheimer’s is clinically diagnosed, the brain may have already lost 20-30% of neurons in key areas. This is why recognizing the early signs and taking action is so important.

At iThrive, early intervention helps us take key steps to support brain health:

• Reduce Neuroinflammation: Inflammation in the brain can harm cells and affect memory. Reducing it helps the brain work more smoothly.
• Support Brain Energy: Brain cells need energy to function. Supporting mitochondrial and metabolic health keeps them energized and sharp.
• Fix Nutrient Gaps: Vitamins and minerals like B-vitamins and omega-3s are essential for memory and thinking. Giving the brain what it needs helps it stay healthy.
• Strengthen Gut-Brain Connection: The gut and brain communicate closely. Improving insulin sensitivity and gut health helps the brain stay clear, focused, and balanced.

While Alzheimer’s is complex and does not yet have a cure, brain decline is not always inevitable. Taking action early can slow progression, support cognitive function, and improve quality of life.

Our approach at iThrive emphasizes addressing the root causes, including: inflammation, insulin resistance, nutrient gaps, gut imbalance, toxic load, and chronic stress. By targeting these areas, we aim to protect the brain and support long-term resilience.

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