by Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation

Credit: Horst Joachims from Pexels

A new peer-reviewed articlepublishedin theJournal of Alzheimer's Disease, by the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation, reveals compelling evidence that air pollution and climate stress are major (modifiable) risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, and introduces a revolutionary prevention plan grounded in evidence-based medicine.

Authored by Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD, President & Medical Director of the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation (ARPF), alongside co-authors Helen Lavretsky, MD (UCLA), Meghan Reddy, M.D. (UCLA), Annie Fenn, MD, and Christopher G. Walling, PsyD, MBA, FIPA (California Institute of Integral Studies), the article highlights howoxidative stress,particulate matter, microplastics, and other environmental toxins accelerate neurodegeneration, potentially beginning as early as childhood.

"Our findings suggest that Alzheimer's may begin decades earlier than previously thought, perhaps even in children—when individuals live in polluted environments," said Dr. Khalsa. "But this research also offers hope: by combining evidence-based lifestyle medicine withenvironmental awareness, we can not only help ourselves now but also protect future generations."

The paper outlines a scientifically grounded prevention plan integrating brain-protective nutrition, physical/cognitive exercise, meditation, and spiritual fitness—drawing from the FINGER and Ornish studies and ARPF's own three decades of Kirtan Kriya yoga meditation research.

"This article bridges environmental neuroscience and lifestyle medicine," said co-author Dr. Lavretsky. "It offers a holistic model for Alzheimer's prevention that also benefits the planet."

"By linking Alzheimer's disease prevention withclimate action, we're urgently advancing eco-psychology into public health," added Dr. Walling.

"As the recent fires have underscored, environmental change and air quality directly affected both my patients and my training in psychiatry in Los Angeles. It has never been clearer that we need to focus on these issues as physicians," commented Dr. Reddy.

"A large burden of Alzheimer's cases may be avoided by focusing on lifestyle interventions. Recent data supports a multipronged approach that includes limiting exposure toair pollution, following a brain-protective dietary pattern, and mitigatingpsychological stresswith meditation," said Dr. Fenn.

More information: Dharma Singh Khalsa et al, Air pollution and Alzheimer's disease prevention: The science and a prevention plan, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2025). DOI: 10.1177/13872877251386482 Journal information: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

Provided by
Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation