By Jane Jansen – Holistic Practitioner
AGE, Brain Health & Preventing Cognitive Decline. Natural Strategies to Keep Your Mind Sharp.
With life expectancy almost doubling over the last century and the aging population on the rise, brain aging is becoming an increasingly serious concern.
In 2025, United States statistics show 5.6 million people living with dementia, with rising concerns about a sharp increase in self-reported cognitive disability, especially among younger adults (18-39), nearly doubling from 2013-2023. While older adults (65+) still have higher rates (5 million cases), the significant rise in younger people reporting memory/thinking problems is of great concern.
The brain controls many aspects of thinking — remembering, planning and organizing, making decisions, and much more. These cognitive abilities affect how well we do everyday tasks and whether we can live independently. No one is looking forward to being sent to a nursing home or becoming a burden to their family. According to the National Institutes of
Health, researchers estimate that 42% of Americans over age 55 will eventually develop dementia.
Many factors contribute to cognitive health including aging, genetics, chronic conditions (like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease), lifestyle factors (smoking, inactivity, poor diet, depression, sleep apnea), medications, infections, and injuries (stroke, brain trauma) sleep disorders and neurodegenerative diseases like Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease.
In 2026, cognitive function is increasingly understood as the result of a “vicious cycle” where vascular disease, blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, and glymphatic failure converge to drive neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. These factors are deeply intertwined, acting as both causes and consequences of cognitive decline. Where vascular
damage drives waste accumulation, which in turn fuels inflammation and further cognitive impairment, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia
Vascular disease damage
The term “vascular dementia” has often been used to describe memory and thinking changes caused by problems with blood flow. Now, “vascular cognitive impairment” is considered more accurate because it represents a wide range of types and the severity of cognitive changes caused by vascular problems. Vascular disease directly damages blood
vessels throughout the body particularly in the brain, reducing blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to brain cells, leading to cell death and cognitive decline.
Arterial walls are damaged by factors like high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and inflammation, which injure the endothelium (inner lining) of blood vessels. This eventually begins plaque buildup that thickens and hardens the artery walls, restricting blood flow. Other contributors include genetics, aging, lack of exercise, unhealthy diets, infections, and chronic inflammatory diseases like lupus, arthritis and gum disease.
Blood Brain Barrier Dysfunction
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the “Guard Dog” keeping the bad stuff from entering and letting the waste products out. It is a specialized system of brain microvascular endothelial cells which selectively protects the brain from most viruses, bacteria, inflammatory molecules and toxins. while allowing essential nutrients like oxygen, amino acids and
glucose through. This barrier also helps to contain molecules to maintain the brain’s chemical balance. The BBB is damaged by inflammation, certain infections, traumatic brain injury, stroke, tumors, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, oxidative stress, certain drugs, alcohol, and even chronic stress. These all lead to leaky vessels that allow harmful
substances and immune cells into the brain, which negatively impacts memory, attention, and executive function causing neuroinflammation, neuronal damage and potentially neurodegenerative diseases. Endothelial dysfunction impairs blood flow regulation and disrupts BBB integrity, making brain vascular health vital for maintaining cognitive function.
The Glymphatic System
The glymphatic system is the brain’s unique waste-clearance network, acting like a lymphatic system by using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flush out metabolic waste (like amyloid-beta) and deliver nutrients, primarily during deep sleep
Sleep and the blood brain barrier have a crucial, bidirectional relationship: sleep dynamically regulates BBB function, promoting clearance of brain waste and controlling molecular traffic, while BBB integrity and nutrient transport directly influence sleep quality, with sleep deprivation increasing BBB permeability and dysfunction, potentially harming the
brain.
The awake, active brain builds up metabolic waste such as amyloid-β, which negatively affects neural functions if not removed. This protein accumulation contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s and vascular dementia.
Sleep and improving vascular function significantly help the brain’s glymphatic system by enhancing cerebral blood flow, arterial pulsations, and vascular compliance, which are crucial for driving cerebrospinal fluid flow to flush out metabolic waste and toxic proteins like amyloid-beta.
Chronic inflammation is often triggered by unresolved infections, autoimmune disorders, long-term exposure to irritants (toxins, pollution), and unhealthy lifestyle factors such as poor diet (sugars, processed foods), smoking, excess alcohol, obesity, chronic stress, and poor sleep which persists for months or years.
While acute inflammation is a protective healing process, chronic systemic inflammation eventually damages the BBB and overcomes the brain’s defenses significantly increasing neuroinflammation. This can worsen the accumulation of pathological proteins, like amyloid-beta and tau, further driving neurodegeneration.
Neuroinflammation disrupts the delicate connections (synapses) between neurons, impairing signal transmission crucial for learning and memory. It also stimulates synaptic pruning, where immune cells mistakenly eliminate healthy connections between neurons. The continuous loss of synapses precedes actual cell death and is a major driver of early
memory issues.
Scientific research suggests that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of cognitive decline and help maintain your cognitive health. These small changes can add up: Making them part of your routine can support your brain function now and in the future.
Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) Wakunaga of America
Over 1,000 published scientific articles have shown that Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) is safe and effective in providing health benefits in humans. AGE has the potential to protect the brain against neurodegenerative conditions by preventing brain injury following ischemia, protecting neuronal cells against apoptosis, and preventing Beta-amyloid-induced oxidative
death.
Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) The 20-month aging process converts harsh, unstable compounds in fresh garlic (like allicin) into stable, odorless, and highly bioavailable antioxidants, especially S-allyl cysteine (SAC), which provides superior, long-lasting benefits for cardiovascular, immune, and neurological health with better absorption and
fewer side effects than raw garlic. The natural aging process eliminates the pungent odor and harsh taste of raw garlic, making AGE supplements odorless and easier on the gastrointestinal tract.
In numerous research studies Aged garlic extract (AGE) have been shown to support brain health by reducing inflammation, boosting antioxidants, improving circulation, protecting and repairing of the endothelium blood vessel lining and protecting neurons from oxidative stress. All these factors benefit glymphatic function and combat age-related cognitive decline.
Studies also suggest Aged garlic extract (AGE) can help protect and potentially support the repair of the Blood Brain Barrier by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and preventing its breakdown, which is crucial for brain health and cognitive function.
A study published in the January 2017 journal, Nutrition, shows Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) is protective of brain neurons by reducing neuro-inflammation. Also published in Current Medicinal Chemistry researchers found, “S-allyl-L-cysteine, an active compound in AGE, can prevent the neuroinflammation that leads to the death of synapses. Keeping synapses healthy is essential to prevent memory loss and cognitive decline. Moreover, treatment with AGE or S-allyl cysteine has been shown to prevent the degeneration of the brain’s frontal lobe, improve learning and memory retention and extend lifespan.”
A different study published in the Food & Nutrition Research July 9, 2025 concluded, “AGE attenuates neuroinflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, improving cognitive and motor functions, and reducing neuronal injury in experimental models. These findings suggest aged garlic as a promising neuroprotective agent against neuroinflammation.”
A new study published October 14, 2025, in the World Academy of Sciences Journal, sought to evaluate whether Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) improves cognitive function. Researchers found endothelial dysfunction with the gradual loss of Nitric Oxide (NO) Bioavailability in the brain is accelerated by progressive atherosclerosis, which impairs general cognitive function, but also decreases the specific cognitive domains, such as memory, visual or spatial perception and reaction time to stimuli.
Renowned cardiologist Dr. Matthew Budoff and fellow researchers concluded, “The present study demonstrated that two potential actions of Nitric Oxide (NO), brachial artery reactivity and brain function, which are improved with use of AGE, substantiating earlier research on garlic with brain function and garlic with endothelial function. The present study demonstrated that AGE led to an improvement in cognitive function, as demonstrated by improvements in MOCA, as well as independent improvements in triglyceride levels. In the present small study, AGE improved cognition and triglycerides, consistent with previous research. AGE imparts benefits through multiple mechanisms. It has previously been demonstrated that AGE leads to improvements in lipids, inflammation and triglycerides, all of which have been shown to impact cardiovascular outcomes, including flow mediated dilation and lipid values, similar to the present study. AGE improved cognitive function in the present short-term (12-week) study.”
Kyolic ® (Wakunaga of America) is the only manufacturer of Aged Garlic Extract & has a wide variety of beneficial formulas including:
Kyolic ® Brain Memory is a proprietary, triple-extract herbal blend containing a combination of Aged Garlic Extract ™ , Ginseng Extract and Ginkgo Biloba Extract to support healthy brain function and memory.* Aged Garlic Extract is a powerful antioxidant that can help support learning and protect the brain from oxidative damage.* Eleuthero Ginseng Extract is a powerful adaptogenic herb that may improve brain function and enhance memory.* Ginkgo Biloba Extract helps improve blood circulation to the brain, aiding in concentration and memory.*
Kyolic ® Smart Mushrooms+ combines the time-tested benefits of Kyolic® Aged Garlic Extract™ and organic Lion’s Mane mushrooms into a modern formula designed to support peak cognitive performance.* Enhanced with Aronia Berries, Selenium, and Vitamin B12, this powerful blend helps boost executive function, sharpen mental focus, and promote
long-term brain health.* Wakunaga of America’s Kyolic Specialty Series Smart Mushrooms+ has been fully tested by Nutrasource under the IGEN™ Program**. This product does not contain common GMO/GE genes or proteins. Wakunaga utilizes
Nutrasource for 3rd party quality control testing of its products. IGEN™ Certification Mark is a registered trademark of Nutrasource.
Kyolic ® Kyolic Cardiovascular & Immune Reserve contains 1200 mg of AGE per serving/2 capsules (Recommend one to two servings per day). This convenient, high- potency formula supports overall heart health including circulation, blood pressure and cholesterol, already within normal ranges, and the immune system.* New research also shows Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract effectively improves aerobic fitness in recreational endurance athletes. AGE benefits go beyond heart and immune health for whole body wellness and performance.
Sleep Mushrooms+ blends the calming power of Reishi mushrooms, Valerian root extract, L-theanine, and Kyolic® Aged Garlic Extract to promote natural, restful sleep. This gentle botanical formula helps you fall asleep more easily and wake up feeling refreshed—without next-day grogginess. Wakunaga of America’s Kyolic Specialty Series Sleep Mushrooms+ has been fully tested by Nutrasource under the IGEN™ Program. This product does not contain common GMO/GE genes or proteins. Wakunaga utilizes Nutrasource for 3rd party quality control testing of its products. *IGEN™ Certification Mark is a registered trademark of Nutrasource.
Kyolic ® Brain Focus is a highly concentrated, pure Ginkgo Biloba Extract in a convenient one-per-day caplet to help improve circulation in the brain, cognitive function and aid in overall focus. The premium Ginkgo Biloba in Brain Focus is standardized to 24% Ginkgo Flavonglycosides and 6% Terpene lactones, active constituents with antioxidant properties
that are attributed to some of Ginkgo Biloba’s well documented health benefits.
Neuro-Logic®’s exclusive cognitive function formula was designed by David Perlmutter M.D., a Board Certified Neurologist. Aged Garlic Extract is included in a unique formula that he developed to have neuro-protective and neurotrophic effects.* Studies show that Choline (from Lecithin), Ginkgo Biloba, Carnitine, Phosphatidylserine, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 support healthy neuron and brain function.*
Kyolic ® Healthy Inflammation Response ™ Curcumin Formula contains 300 mg of AGE and 1000 mg of Meriva ® Turmeric Complex per serving, which is a proprietary blend of curcumin and phosphatidylcholine, for a healthy inflammation response (2 capsules; Recommend one serving per day). This proprietary and patented Meriva blend allows for superior absorption and bioavailability compared to other unformulated curcumin extracts. Taken daily this formula provides powerful, natural support for joint function and anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular health as well as a variety of other nutritional benefits.
Wakunaga’s garlic crop is cultivated with time-tested procedures to enhance its beneficial constituents. The unique aging process applied in manufacturing Aged Garlic Extract distinguishes Kyolic from other garlic products available on the market.
For more information go to Kyolic.com
Being proactive and taking care of your brain now, before it becomes too late to repair it is imperative. Your daily lifestyle, including the foods you eat, plays a role in keeping your brain healthy and can improve specific mental tasks, such as memory and concentration.
According to the NIH Sleep is important for numerous brain functions, including how nerve cells (neurons) communicate with each other. Remember sleep plays a housekeeping role that removes toxins/waste products in your brain that build up while you are awake.
Studies have shown that exercise increases the size of a certain brain structure and improves circulation that’s important to memory and learning. Therefore, incorporate daily exercise even if it’s only for 15 minutes!
Generally, you should try to eliminate as much refined sugar and white flour, and chemical additive processed foods as possible. Incorporate more complex grains, a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, healthy proteins and stay hydrated. Your brain uses omega-3s in fatty fish, flax oil, and olive oil to build brain and nerve cells essential for learning and memory. The Mediterranean diet is highly recommended by most nutritionists.
Blueberries and other deeply colored berries deliver anthocyanins, a group of plant compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can help prevent brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
If you start making small changes now, you will be starting on the path for better brain health while aging.
Always consult your healthcare provider before adding new supplements.
Jane Jansen – Holistic Practitioner – Host of Holistic Healthline Radio
HolisticHealthline.com
