288 Rethinking Memory Loss-Hidden Factors that May Affect Cognitive Health with Brad Montagne

oes an increase in forgetfulness or increasing "senior moments" imply developing dementia? One of the greatest fears associated with growing older is losing memory, cognitive ability and ultimately independence. But dementia is not a single disease, and not every change in memory or thinking represents irreversible neurodegeneration.

In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch welcomes Dr. Brad Montagne, a functional medicine practitioner, educator, author and host of the podcast Your Health Reclaimed.

Brad begins by describing a personal history of gastrointestinal illness, vertigo, food intolerances and other health problems beginning in childhood. He explains how his experiences led him toward functional medicine and an approach emphasizing extensive investigation of chronic health problems.

They discuss hydration, nutrition, medications, sleep disorders, thyroid disease, depression, infection, nutritional deficiencies, gut health and metabolic factors. Dr. Montagne also presents his functional-medicine perspective on food intolerances, toxicity, Lyme disease and alternative testing methods. In this spirited conversation, Dr. Gillian questions several broad claims during the conversation and emphasizes the need to distinguish established evidence from emerging hypotheses and unproven approaches. They agree on the essential message: new cognitive symptoms deserve investigation—not the assumption that they are simply an inevitable part of getting older.

Episode Timeline

00:30 — Is memory loss always irreversible dementia?

03:36 — Brad Montagne's background and personal journey through chronic illness

06:39 — Normal forgetfulness, mild cognitive impairment and dementia

07:04 — Hydration and Brad's perspective on cognitive symptoms

09:16 — Minerals, nutrition and dietary patterns

11:14 — Dr. Gillian's approach to individualized nutrition

13:10 — Food intolerance and Brad's approach to testing