12/07/2025
I literally stumbled onto something this week that is a game-changer. You know how conventional medicine tell us that Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s “just happen” and that there’s not much we can do until symptoms show up? Well, that notion is being turned completely on its head!
There is now a blood test –– the Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) test –– which measures levels of a protein in the blood that indicates neuronal (nerve cell) injury or degeneration. This test, which your doctor can order, is used to assess and monitor conditions affecting the central nervous system, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
A simple blood draw is used to conduct the test, providing insights into disease progression, prognosis, and treatment response. That can show early signs of nerve-cell stress in the brain — long before memory slips or tremors appear. One of the markers they look at is called NfL, and when it rises, it can mean the brain’s communication lines are starting to fray.
But the real “wow” moment for me came from a brand-new Harvard study that uncovered a missing piece no one expected: the mineral lithium. Not the high-dose prescription form — but the tiny, natural trace amounts found in soil and water. It turns out our brains normally store a little lithium in their nerve cells, almost like a built-in protective shield. And in people who developed Alzheimer’s or other neurological conditions, that shield was noticeably depleted.
Here’s where it gets even more remarkable. When researchers restored small, gentle amounts of lithium in their studies, damaged nerve cells started repairing themselves. Memory and other functions returned. And the brain looked far healthier than anyone thought possible. It was one of those “how did we miss this?” discoveries: simple, overlooked, and potentially life-changing.
Now, we still need more studies in humans, but the door this opens is incredible. Early detection and a natural nutrient may help support the brain’s ability to heal and protect itself! As someone who has spent decades helping people navigate memory changes in loved ones, this feels like a major turning point.
While the special lithium compound used in the research isn’t available to the public yet, you can support your brain with a gentle, nutritional form of lithium that's been used for years to support mood, clarity, and long-term brain health. I like this one https://amzn.to/3MHKXMg — it’s a safe, low-dose option that aligns with the kind of trace lithium the research points to. It’s exciting to think that such a simple mineral might help support healthy brain function over time!
To learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRTuZQxysks
