Intelligent Medicine | The Best of High Tech Medicine and Alternative Modalities

Can Infections Drive Alzheimer’s? Nikki Schultek, founder of Intracel Research Group and co-founder of the Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative, details evidence that pathogens may contribute to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative and neuroimmune disorders beyond the amyloid hypothesis. Schultek recounts her own misdiagnosed systemic illness with neurodegenerative symptoms, later found to involve Lyme disease, Babesia, and chronic infection with the intracellular respiratory bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae, treated with combination antibiotics. The discussion covers PANS/PANDAS as an infection-associated pediatric neuropsychiatric condition, parallels with neuroinflammation and blood–brain barrier changes, and a 2023 Alzheimer’s & Dementia “research roadmap” documenting 86 infection-associated dementia cases and calling for actionable testing and collaboration. They review links involving herpes viruses, COVID-related cognitive decline, gum pathogen P. gingivalis therapies, and controversies around chronic infection diagnosis and long-term antibiotics, and share resources including alzpi.org, ILADS, MAPS, and Schultek’s Pathobiome Research Center at PCOM.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Nikki Schultek, founder of Intracel Research Group and co-founder of the Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative.

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables preserve brain function—but in vulnerable persons with the ApoE4 “Alzheimer’s gene”, more meat staves off decline, contradicting years of recommendations to minimize animal protein; Supplements for adrenal insufficiency; “Forever chemicals” may weaken teen’s bones—but menopausal hormone replacement therapy decisively fends off osteoporosis; Legionnaire's disease strikes poor and affluent alike in New York City; Doctors propose warning labels for GLP-1 drugs on account of this under-appreciated danger.

Pentagon plans widespread testosterone screening for troops; New study claims arthroscopic surgery for age-related degenerative changes of knees is worthless; Widely touted “precision” proton therapy doesn’t outperform conventional radiation treatment for prostate cancer; Comparing the effectiveness of gummies and liquids vs. tablet or capsule forms of supplements; Supplements to lower LDL; Lithium orotate for Alzheimer’s prevention; Novel ultrasound treatment may target inflammation in osteoarthritis; Researchers explore antiviral treatments for multiple sclerosis.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency--The “Aging” Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore: Leyla Muedin, a registered dietitian nutritionist in New York City, discusses vitamin B12 deficiency as a common problem that can mimic normal aging, noting adults need only about two micrograms daily to support red blood cells, nerves, and DNA. She reviews the history of liver treatment for pernicious anemia and explains that deficiency remains common in older adults, vegans/vegetarians, and people with impaired absorption due to low stomach acid, autoimmune gastritis, weight loss surgery, or medications such as metformin and proton pump inhibitors. Symptoms can develop slowly and include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, numbness/tingling, poor balance, memory issues, and brain fog; she advises medical evaluation and B12 testing rather than assuming aging or relying on wellness-clinic injections when levels are normal. She emphasizes B12 is primarily in animal foods, so vegans need supplements, and notes broader nutrient shortfalls she sees in vegan clients.