6 Foods Clinically Proven to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. Uncover six powerful foods backed by clinical research that can help prevent or even reverse the effects of Alzheimer's.

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Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. With Canada’s rapidly aging population, the proportion of the population living with it is set to rise, threatening the preservation of valuable human knowledge and placing increasing strain on our healthcare systems.

Existing treatment options are limited, and often come with high costs and unwelcome side effects.

Meanwhile, the ongoing mental health crisis—linked to an increased risk of dementia—makes finding solutions to Alzheimer's disease even more urgent.

Today, we stand at the crossroads of conventional medicine and the pursuit of more effective, holistic solutions. A growing body of research is shining a light on natural remedies that may hold the key to slowing or even reversing cognitive decline.

From ancient spices to powerful medicinal mushrooms, nature offers a wealth of potential allies in the fight against Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative disease.

In this article, discover six research-backed foods that are changing the landscape of Alzheimer's treatment, offering hope for safer, more effective options in preserving cognitive health and safeguarding human knowledge.

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon, the aromatic spice from Cinnamomum tree bark, has shown promise in improving memory and learning and addressing key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

A 2013 study revealed that cinnamon increases BDNF and NT-3 levels in the brain and nervous system, proteins essential for brain function; low levels lead to or are associated with neurodegenerative disorders.

A 2023 review of 40 preclinical and clinical studies confirmed that cinnamon’s bioactive compounds—eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and cinnamic acid—enhance learning and memory by reducing tau proteins and beta-amyloids, key drivers of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

These harmful proteins disrupt brain cell communication, trigger inflammation, and cause neural decline. By preventing their buildup, cinnamon helps slow disease progression while supporting brain cell survival, function, and resilience—critical for maintaining cognitive health.

You can find cinnamon in all My Supply Co. psilocybin microdose Stacks.

2. Turmeric

Old and new studies alike agree that turmeric may prevent or reduce the progression of Alzheimer's disease thanks to curcumin, a potent polyphenol known for its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neurotrophic properties.

One study demonstrated that early treatment of Alzheimer's disease, instead of moderate-to-late-stage, is key to treating Alzheimer's with turmeric.

A 2017 study highlighted curcumin's potential to outperform existing treatments by influencing microglial (brain immune cells) activity, reducing cholesterol, and acting as an antioxidant. It also highlighted curcumin's multifaceted effects, finding that it can help treat Alzheimer's disease by:

• dissolving and preventing the buildup of amyloid plaques
• clearing and reducing the buildup of tau proteins
• acting as an anticholinesterase (the only drugs available to treat Alzheimer's disease are anticholinesterase drugs)

Curcumin may also help combat inflammation in Alzheimer's disease in novel ways.

A 2004 study found that curcumin binds to iron and copper, which accumulate in Alzheimer’s-affected brains and contribute to inflammation and oxidative damage. These findings were confirmed in 2017 in a separate study.

As for its neurotrophic effects, a 2015 study showed that curcumin reduces cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's and upregulates BDNF, while a 2017 study concluded that it increases hippocampal BDNF.

However, challenges like curcumin’s low bioavailability and poorly designed clinical trials have produced mixed results. To fully harness curcumin’s therapeutic potential, we need clinical trials with longer study periods, particularly in early-stage Alzheimer’s.

You can find turmeric in Vitality Stack.

3. Sage (S. officinalis, S. lavandulaefolia)

Sage, long valued for its medicinal properties, has been recognized for its cognitive-enhancing and neuroprotective effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurotrophic properties relevant to Alzheimer’s.

Preclinical studies show that plants from the Salvia genus, including common and Spanish sage, inhibit acetylcholinesterase, mimicking the action of anticholinesterase drugs—the primary pharmaceuticals used to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

A 2016 review in Drugs in R&D found that Salvia plants target multiple aspects of Alzheimer's disease, including beta-amyloids, cholinergic activity, neurotrophins (like BDNF), oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Clinical trials also support sage’s benefits.

A 2014 systematic review of eight placebo-controlled, double-blind studies showed that S. officinalis (common sage) and S. lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage) enhance cognitive performance in both healthy individuals and those with dementia or cognitive impairment.

For instance, in one study, 30 patients treated with sage for 16 weeks demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive function, as measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale.

These findings highlight sage’s potential as a safe, natural aid for cognitive health and Alzheimer’s management.

You can find Spanish and common sage in Brain Stack.

4. Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)

No list of foods that fight dementia would be complete without Lion's Mane, a powerful medicinal mushroom celebrated for supporting brain, nervous system, and gut health.

A 2016 study on mice with Alzheimer’s revealed that 30 days of treatment with Lion’s Mane or its extracts significantly reduced beta-amyloid plaques and inflammation in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The treatment also increased NGF (nerve growth factor) levels and boosted hippocampal neurogenesis, promoting brain repair and growth.

Another 2016 study highlighted Lion’s Mane’s ability to reverse declining brain health, suppress oxidative stress, and improve memory, movement, motor coordination, and spatial learning in treated mice compared to untreated mice.

Human research supports these findings.

In a 2020 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 49 weeks of Lion’s Mane supplementation led to significant improvements in dementia progression, mental state, and independence. Meanwhile, the placebo group experienced declines in cognitive performance and biomarkers during the study period, including lower BDNF and increased beta-amyloid buildups.

These results underscore Lion’s Mane’s potential as a natural, multi-faceted treatment for cognitive decline and dementia.

You can find Lion's Mane in Brain Stack.

5. Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus)

A growing body of research highlights Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) as a promising natural ally in combating Alzheimer’s disease.

A 2019 study found that Chaga polysaccharides reduce amyloid plaques and improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s mouse models. They enhanced cell survival, reduced cell death, and protected against oxidative stress by boosting Nrf2 signaling, a key pathway for managing and preventing oxidative damage in brain cells.

A 2021 review of in vitro and in vivo studies further supported Chaga’s neuroprotective potential. Lab tests showed that Chaga reduced harmful calcium levels, prevented cell death, and improved cell survival in rat cells exposed to beta-amyloids. In aging rats, Chaga reduced amyloid precursor protein (APP) production, dissolved beta-amyloid plaques in the hippocampus, and lowered inflammation markers, possibly by regulating calcium channels and inflammatory responses.

A 2023 study revealed that raw Chaga extracts not only reduced amyloid plaque buildup but also enhanced the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), a mechanism that clears damaged proteins from cells, which is critical in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Chaga activated the UPS by increasing the expression of proteins like ubiquitin and Parkin, further highlighting its therapeutic potential.

These findings suggest Chaga may help protect against Alzheimer’s by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and protein buildup while enhancing cellular repair mechanisms, offering a novel approach to treatment.

You can find turmeric in Vitality Stack.

6. Cordyceps (C. militaris, C. sinensis, C. ophioglossoides)

While there are several species of Cordyceps, each with its own unique chemical composition, they all share several key bioactive compounds that contribute to their neuroprotective effects—adenosine, β-glucans, cordycepin, and ergosterol.

A 2018 study found that Cordyceps extract improved learning and memory in an Alzheimer’s mouse model. After two weeks of treatment, the mice performed better in memory tests and navigated mazes more efficiently, suggesting Cordyceps' potential in protecting against cognitive decline by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain and other organs.

Similarly, a 2004 study demonstrated that Cordyceps ophioglossoides extract protected against Alzheimer’s-related memory loss and neuronal damage in both cell and rat models. The extract reduced beta-amyloid-induced cell death and decreased reactive oxygen species, supporting its role in scavenging harmful free radicals linked to Alzheimer's.

A 2024 review published in Nutrients highlighted the neuroprotective effects of Cordyceps’ bioactive compounds, which have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic (anti-cell death) properties—making them promising for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Cordycepin, a natural compound from Cordyceps, was found in a 2021 review to reduce neuroinflammation, a key factor in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and depression. By blocking inflammatory pathways and reducing immune cell activation, cordycepin offers a promising approach for managing neuroinflammation in neurological disorders.

Like turmeric and sage, Cordyceps also exhibits anticholinesterase properties, beneficial for Alzheimer’s treatment.

A 2015 study identified polysaccharide-peptide complexes in Cordyceps that inhibit acetylcholinesterase, a key enzyme in Alzheimer’s disease. These complexes could enhance cognitive function, supporting Cordyceps as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's.

A 2023 study showed that cordycepin improved memory and learning in Alzheimer’s mice by promoting healthy communication between microglia (brain immune cells) and neurons. Cordycepin helped shift microglia from a harmful to a protective state, reduced neuron damage, and increased NGF (nerve growth factor) production, highlighting its potential for improving brain function and developing Alzheimer’s treatments.

A 2020 study further confirmed that Cordyceps protects against Alzheimer’s by reducing brain cell damage caused by amyloid-beta buildup. It improved cell viability, reduced reactive oxygen species, and increased the production of brain-protective proteins like BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), reinforcing its promise as a natural treatment for Alzheimer’s-related neurological damage.

You can find turmeric in Vitality Stack and Energy Stack.

Final remarks

As we continue to explore new avenues in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, these natural foods offer a hopeful alternative to traditional treatments. With their proven ability to prevent, treat, and support brain health, they represent a powerful, holistic approach to Alzheimer's care.

While more research is needed to fully harness their potential, incorporating these foods into a balanced lifestyle could play a vital role in preserving cognitive function and slowing the progression of this devastating disease.

By combining the wisdom of nature with modern science, we move closer to a future where Alzheimer’s is no longer an inevitability, but a challenge we can overcome.

Related: CBD for Alzheimer’s: Does It Work?

Related: Can Psilocybin Mushrooms Treat Alzheimer’s Dementia?

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