Rewire Your Brain: The Hidden Immune System Driving Memory, Mood, and Alzheimer’s Risk

Introduction

Most people think memory loss, mood changes, or Alzheimer’s disease are just part of “getting older.” But cutting-edge science shows otherwise. Your brain has its own immune system — and how well it functions could be the missing key to your long-term brain health.

This immune system is powered by microglia, tiny immune cells that constantly protect, prune, and repair your brain. When they’re balanced, they sharpen memory, stabilise mood, and keep your brain youthful. But when they get stuck in overdrive, they release inflammatory chemicals that can actually damage neurons — fuelling brain fog, depression, and even dementia.

The big question is: what’s driving your microglia?

The Science of Microglia: Your Brain’s Own Immune Cells

For decades, scientists believed the brain was sealed off from the immune system. But we now know microglia act as the brain’s resident immune army.

They are responsible for:

• Pruning synapses to keep learning and memory efficient.

• Clearing waste and plaques that otherwise accumulate.

• Modulating mood through neurotransmitter signalling.

• Defending neurons against infections and toxins.

But chronic stressors — blood sugar swings, gut issues, toxins, poor sleep — keep microglia in a constant state of alarm. Over time, this “microglial overdrive” fuels neuroinflammation, paving the way for memory loss and dementia.

Why Conventional Medicine Misses This

If you go to your GP with memory issues, brain fog, or mood changes, you’ll likely be offered:

• A basic blood panel (cholesterol, glucose, thyroid).

• Possibly a brain scan if symptoms are severe.

• And, in many cases, medication for mood or memory.these medications do little to address microglial overdrive — and come with side effects ranging from fatigue and weight gain to further cognitive dulling.”

But these tests don’t reveal what’s really happening with your brain’s immune system. They don’t ask:

• Is your brain inflamed?

• Are toxins interfering with microglial balance?

• Are you deficient in nutrients your neurons desperately need?

• Is your gut driving brain inflammation?

This is where functional testing makes all the difference.

Functional Testing: Going Deeper Into Brain Health

Functional tests are designed to look beneath the surface, giving insights into how the body is functioning at a biochemical level. This is where we can uncover the root causes that conventional medicine often misses.

Some examples include:

Nutritional Status Testing

Reveals whether you’re deficient in brain-critical nutrients like B vitamins, omega-3s, vitamin D, magnesium, or antioxidants. Even “subclinical” deficiencies can impair neurotransmitters and accelerate cognitive decline.

Inflammatory Markers

Goes beyond a simple CRP test to look at oxidative stress, cytokine activity, and immune imbalance that directly impact microglial health.

Gut Microbiome & Permeability

Advanced stool or DNA-based tests can identify leaky gut, dysbiosis, candida, or hidden infections. The gut-brain axis means these issues can directly inflame your microglia.

Toxicity & Detoxification

Looks at heavy metals, mould, pesticides, and how well your body clears them. Toxins are a major but overlooked driver of neuroinflammation.

Hormonal & Adrenal Testing

Examines cortisol rhythm, oestrogen/progesterone balance, thyroid conversion, and DHEA levels — all of which affect brain immunity and resilience.

Mitochondrial & Energy Production

Some tests go deeper into how well your brain cells are producing energy. If mitochondria are sluggish, neurons become vulnerable.

Why This Matters for Alzheimer’s Prevention

The difference between a sharp, resilient brain and one that declines isn’t just about “plaques and tangles.” It’s about the state of your microglia.

Functional testing shows us the hidden triggers that keep microglia inflamed — and it’s rarely just one thing. For one person, it may be blood sugar imbalances. For another, it’s nutrient deficiencies and toxin overload. For another, gut-driven inflammation.

Without addressing these, you can’t truly calm microglia or protect long-term brain health.

If there’s one thing you can do today to protect your microglia, it’s to balance your blood sugar — because every spike and crash acts like fuel on the fire of brain inflammation.

The Next Step for You

If you’re experiencing:

• Brain fog or memory lapses,

• Low mood, anxiety, or depression,

• Or you simply want to protect your brain against dementia…

…then now is the time to act.

Conventional tests might tell you everything is “normal.” But functional testing can reveal the early imbalances that silently drive neuroinflammation years before Alzheimer’s is diagnosed.

This is where I can help. I combine functional testing with tailored nutrition and lifestyle strategies to calm microglial overdrive and rebuild resilience at the root level.

To explore testing options and create a personalised brain health plan book a free discovery call to learn more. Because your memory, mood, and future are too important to leave to chance.