Bredesen Protocol Support in Denver
A Functional Medicine Approach to Cognitive Decline
At The Healing Center Denver, we believe cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of aging. We also believe that symptoms like memory lapses, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating deserve the same root-cause investigation we apply to every complex, chronic health condition we see.
The Bredesen Protocol is a precision medicine framework developed by neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen that identifies and addresses the multiple underlying contributors to cognitive decline. Rather than treating Alzheimer’s disease or memory loss as a single-cause problem with a single solution, the protocol works by finding and correcting the individual metabolic, nutritional, hormonal, and environmental factors that are driving brain dysfunction in each patient.
At our Centennial office, serving the greater Denver metro area, we incorporate the principles of the Bredesen Protocol into our broader functional medicine approach, giving patients a comprehensive, personalized path forward.
What Is the Bredesen Protocol?
The Bredesen Protocol is a personalized, multi-system approach to cognitive health developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen after more than three decades of laboratory and clinical research. It is designed to address the many factors that can contribute to cognitive decline, including early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and subjective cognitive impairment (SCI).
The core principle is straightforward: cognitive decline rarely has one cause. It typically results from a combination of factors, such as:
- Chronic inflammation
- Blood sugar dysregulation and insulin resistance
- Nutritional and hormonal deficiencies
- Sleep dysfunction
- Toxic exposures (heavy metals, mold, environmental chemicals)
- Chronic infections
- Vascular and cardiovascular contributors
- Gut microbiome imbalance
The Bredesen Protocol works by systematically identifying which of these factors are present in each individual and addressing them through targeted dietary, lifestyle, and therapeutic interventions. The goal is not to mask symptoms, but to correct the biochemical environment that is contributing to neurological decline.
Why Standard Medicine Often Falls Short
Most patients who come to us with cognitive concerns either have no diagnosis or have received an early blood test with no real treatment options and an explanation that nothing can be done beyond monitoring or a very risky shot protocol. That answer is genuinely frustrating, and in our experience, it is also incomplete.
Conventional medicine tends to look at cognitive decline as a single-pathway disease. The Bredesen framework challenges that assumption. Dr. Bredesen has identified more than 36 distinct factors that can contribute to the neurological “downsizing” associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia / cognitive decline. Any combination of these factors can be driving decline in a given patient.
Addressing only one or two of them, as a pharmaceutical intervention typically does, is like fixing two holes in a leaky roof while ignoring the other thirty. The Bredesen approach is to find every hole and address them all, which requires a thorough, individualized evaluation.
That is exactly the kind of evaluation we provide at The Healing Center.
Who Is the Bredesen Protocol For?
The Bredesen Protocol is most relevant for people who are experiencing early or emerging cognitive concerns, including:
- Increasing forgetfulness or difficulty recalling names and words
- Mental fatigue and difficulty concentrating
- Feeling less sharp than you used to
- Brain fog that does not resolve with rest
- A family history of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- A confirmed diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
- Concerns about early-stage Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia
- APOE 4 mutations
- Confusion or slow cognitive processing…LIke a computer that is slow to load
It is also appropriate for adults who want to be proactive about brain health before symptoms develop. Just as you would address cardiovascular risk factors before a heart attack, addressing cognitive risk factors before significant decline sets in gives the best opportunity for long-term brain health.
What Does a Bredesen-Aligned Care Plan Include?
The Bredesen Protocol is built around lifestyle, nutrition, supplementation, and targeted interventions. Our functional medicine approach at The Healing Center incorporates each of these areas in a personalized way.
Nutrition and Metabolic Health
Blood sugar dysregulation and insulin resistance are among the most commonly identified contributors to cognitive decline. We use lab testing to assess your metabolic health in detail and provide dietary guidance tailored to your specific picture, including support for the kind of low-inflammatory, metabolically stabilizing nutrition that the Bredesen framework emphasizes.
Hormonal and Thyroid Balance
Thyroid dysfunction and hormonal imbalances are frequently missed contributors to brain fog and cognitive slowing. We evaluate thyroid function comprehensively, including markers that standard panels often overlook, and assess hormonal status for both men and women.
Gut Health and Neurological Function
The gut-brain axis means that what is happening in your digestive system directly affects your brain. We assess microbiome health, check for intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and address infections or imbalances that may be feeding systemic inflammation. LYME disease must also be ruled out.
Toxin Identification and Elimination
Heavy metals, mold toxins, and environmental chemicals can impair neurological function and accelerate cognitive decline. We screen for these exposures and provide a customized detox and pathogen elimination process when indicated.
Sleep Optimization
Sleep is when the brain clears metabolic waste, including the amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Poor sleep is a significant and underappreciated driver of cognitive decline. We address sleep quality as a core part of any cognitive health program.
Targeted Supplementation and Herbal Support
Based on your labs and clinical findings, we recommend specific nutrients and herbal compounds that support brain health, reduce inflammation, and correct identified deficiencies. These are chosen based on your individual lab results, not a generic brain health formula.
Nervous System and Chiropractic Support
Proper nervous system function is a foundation of everything else. Chiropractic care and nervous system support / rehab are part of our integrated approach, helping to ensure optimal brain-body communication.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Brain Health
If you or someone you love is experiencing cognitive changes, memory concerns, or persistent brain fog, you do not have to accept a “wait and see” answer. At The Healing Center in Denver, we take these symptoms seriously and investigate them thoroughly.
Come in for a consultation or schedule an appointment today. We look forward to working together toward a healthier, clearer future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bredesen Protocol?
The Bredesen Protocol is a precision medicine approach to cognitive decline developed by neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen. It identifies the multiple root causes of cognitive decline in each individual, including metabolic, hormonal, nutritional, inflammatory, toxic, and vascular contributors, and addresses them through a personalized combination of dietary changes, lifestyle interventions, targeted supplementation, and other therapies. It is designed for people with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Is the Bredesen Protocol scientifically supported?
Dr. Bredesen’s work is backed by peer-reviewed research, including a 2014 paper published in Aging that documented cognitive improvement in nine out of ten patients, a 2018 follow-up covering 100 case studies, a 2022 peer-reviewed clinical trial published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and a 2025 randomized controlled trial. The research base continues to grow. That said, the protocol is still considered an emerging area of medicine, and individual outcomes vary. It is best approached as a serious, evidence-informed functional medicine framework rather than a guaranteed cure.
Can the Bredesen Protocol prevent Alzheimer's disease?
The Bredesen Protocol was designed with both prevention and reversal in mind, for those who have not yet developed symptoms as well as those in the early stages of decline. Addressing known risk factors, such as insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies, poor sleep, chronic inflammation, and toxic exposures, may meaningfully support long-term brain health. However, no approach can guarantee prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, and individual response varies.
How is the Bredesen Protocol different from conventional Alzheimer's treatment?
Conventional treatment for Alzheimer’s disease typically focuses on pharmaceutical management of symptoms, with limited ability to slow progression. The Bredesen Protocol takes a fundamentally different approach by identifying and correcting the underlying metabolic and physiological contributors to decline in each individual patient. It is a precision medicine approach rather than a one-size-fits-all drug protocol.
What kinds of tests are involved in the Bredesen Protocol?
A thorough Bredesen-aligned evaluation typically includes comprehensive blood work covering blood sugar regulation (including fasting insulin and HbA1c), thyroid markers, hormonal panels, nutrient levels (vitamin D, B12, omega-3 index, zinc, and others), inflammatory markers (such as hs-CRP and homocysteine), and cardiovascular risk factors. Depending on the patient’s history, testing may also include LYME, mold and mycotoxin screening, heavy metal panels, gut microbiome analysis, and sleep assessment.
Who is a good candidate for Bredesen Protocol support?
The Bredesen Protocol is most appropriate for adults experiencing early cognitive changes, brain fog, memory difficulties, or mental fatigue, as well as those with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease who want to be proactive. It is also relevant for people who have received a diagnosis of subjective cognitive impairment or mild cognitive impairment and are looking for a root-cause approach rather than a wait-and-watch recommendation.
Can I do the Bredesen Protocol alongside my current medical care?
Yes. Our approach at The Healing Center Denver is designed to complement, not replace, your existing medical care. We work alongside your other providers and do not ask patients to discontinue medications or treatments prescribed by their physicians. If you are currently working with a neurologist or primary care physician regarding cognitive concerns, we welcome that relationship.
Does The Healing Center Denver offer Bredesen Protocol support?
Yes. At The Healing Center Denver, we incorporate the principles of the Bredesen Protocol into our functional medicine practice. We do not offer the proprietary Apollo Health software platform, but we apply a comprehensive root-cause evaluation and personalized care planning process that is closely aligned with the Bredesen approach. To schedule a consultation, call us at (303) 721-9800 or book online.
How do I schedule an appointment at The Healing Center Denver for cognitive concerns?
You can call our office at (303) 721-9800 or book an appointment online through our website. Our team will help you get started with an initial consultation. Our office is located at 6300 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 280, Centennial, CO 80111, serving the greater Denver metro area.