Dr Ula: Dementia and Alzheimer's - You are not doomed by your DNA
- Dr Ula Heywood
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
Updated: May 26
If you're worried about dementia or Alzheimer’s, you’re not alone.
The idea of losing your memory, your independence, your sense of self—it’s one of the most confronting fears we face. But here’s the truth most people never hear: You’re not powerless. And your DNA is not your destiny.
This guide is your starting point for neurodegenerative diseases—an introduction to what these diseases really are, where they come from, and how to start protecting your brain today. Not later. Now.
What’s really going on?
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s don’t just show up overnight. They begin silently, decades before the first symptoms appear.
These diseases are the result of brain cells breaking down over time. Here’s what you need to know:
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Toxic proteins build up in your brain, causing memory loss, confusion, and personality changes.
Dementia is a broader term for cognitive decline that disrupts daily life. Alzheimer’s is just one type.
Parkinson’s disease affects movement—but it’s also linked to memory and mood changes.
They might sound different, but they share a common root: chronic damage to the brain, often driven by lifestyle.
Lifestyle matters more than you think
Most people don’t realise this: your daily choices are either protecting your brain or fast-tracking its decline.
Let’s break it down:
Ultra-processed foods and sugar overload - Constant blood sugar spikes inflame your brain. Insulin resistance is one of the earliest steps toward cognitive decline. Your diet is either fuelling disease or fuelling protection.
Chronic stress and poor sleep - Your brain needs rest to heal. If you’re always wired, anxious, or running on fumes, your memory centre—the hippocampus—shrinks. Stress doesn’t just feel bad. It physically damages your brain.
A sedentary lifestyle - No movement results in less brain growth, giving you poorer memory, slower thinking, lower mood. Movement (especially strength training and Zone 2 cardio) keeps your brain young by stimulating BDNF – a protein that helps your brain grow new neurons, strengthen connections and stay sharp, resilient and mentally flexible. You don’t need a bootcamp. You need consistency.
Social isolation - Loneliness increases your dementia risk, maybe as much as a pack-a-day smoking habit. Brains thrive on connection.
What we test—And why it matters
There are differing views on what to test. At Autonomy, we don’t guess. We measure. Here’s what we look at to see how your brain’s really doing:
Blood sugar and insulin resistance – High blood sugar silently ages your brain. Dementia is often called Type 3 Diabetes.
Visceral fat and metabolic health – Belly fat, fatty liver? They’re big brain risk factors.
APOE genotype – If you’ve got the APOE4 gene, your risk is higher—but your lifestyle still calls the shots. We give you the option to have your DNA additionally tested and take control of your brain health trajectory.
Chronic inflammation and blood vessel health – We check ApoB, homocysteine, blood pressure, and inflammation markers.
Sleep and stress hormones – Cortisol levels and sleep quality tell us if your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight, which is known to shrink brain volume over time.
You can’t fix what you’re not measuring. That’s why early testing is a non-negotiable in my view.
The big mistake: waiting
Most people wait until the symptoms hit. By then, years of damage - that could have been avoided - have already been done. But you’re here. You’re learning. That means you're already ahead. This isn’t just about disease prevention. It’s about creating a future where your brain stays clear, your energy is high, and you feel like yourself—long-term.
Your next step
So here’s your challenge: start thinking of your brain as something you can train, nourish, and protect—just like your body. You are not broken. You are not too far gone. You’ve just never had a guide who put it all together.
Talk to us at Autonomy or talk to your trusted health professional. Make sure you get clarity, data, and direction. You’ll know exactly where you stand—and exactly what to do about it.
Dr. Ula Co-Founder and Lead Physician, Autonomy
