THE EVANTHEA TRIAL; Precision Medicine for Dementia risk-avoidance
Some very positive research was published last month (January 2026) regarding using precision functional medicine to support Brain health and risk-avoid Dementia. (The results even suggest that mild cognitive impairment could be reversed.)
With recently accumulated statistics suggesting that up to 45% of Dementia diagnoses could be avoidable, the EVANTHEA trial is potentially trailblazing. Although the study is pending Peer-Review (due mid-2026) the findings were outstanding and potentially gild the way for ‘treatment’ of Dementia … if remediated in its early stages. (Or preferably 20 years before symptoms manifest since this can be when the seeds of cognitive decline start to be planted … only to blossom later into the noticeable symptoms we associate with cognitive decline and all the Dementias.)
Here is a link to the published EVANTHEA trial at this stage (January 2026): https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05894954
… and a link to the discussion amongst the Medical Doctors involved in overseeing the EVANTHEA trial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n62LpnSYaeo
I would recommend a read and/or a listen, but to succinctly summarise the main takeaways:
This was a Randomised Control Trial, with 73 Human participants aged at an average of 65 years old, over nine months, at six different sites across North America. (The sample was kept small to keep the results statistically significant.)
The team were Medical Doctors using precision/functional medicine principles. This means the following were recommended as paramount actions for the ‘active group’ subjects in the trial:
o diet (emphasising a KetoFlex diet)
o exercise
o sleep
o stress management
o Brain stimulation (learning and social support groups)
o Personalised, therapeutically necessary & targeted dietary supplements
o any necessary personalised medical treatments (such as hormone support via bio-identical HRT for those that needed it).
Those in the clinically active group (as opposed to the no treatment control group) experienced 100% improvement in their cognitive decline symptoms. Yep, 100% of them!
Participant compliance was monitored mainly by trackable wearables to motivate and monitor compliance … not one participant dropped out.
The noticeable factors that slowed progress were active infections (the Doctor’s on the team were able to oversee and treat when possible & necessary) and environmental toxins (‘dementogens’); chemicals, heavy metals, mould. This in-itself is an interesting observation for future Brain health protocols and protective/preventative measures.
Was this study ‘absolutely perfect’; no (name me a study that is?!). Is it immensely optimistic progress in the Brain health & Dementia risk-avoidance arena; yeeees. Maybe, just maybe, this will trigger a shift in messaging for cognitive decline and early-stage Dementia diagnosis from false hopelessness to apparent hopefulness. That will be nice; where there is hope, there is motivation and joy. (Interestingly, the Medical Clinicians overseeing the EVANTHEA trial were so impressed by the strikingly positive results [100% improvement] in the cognitive function parameters measured) that they are now debating whether in the future it may be considered medically unethical to have a Control Group with no ‘treatment’ … because imagine going into a trial where your compatriots are ‘reversing’ their cognitive decline whilst yours is declining! As a side note, upon completion of the trial, the Clinicians immediately put the Control Group on the same protocols as the ‘active group’ had been, so they were behind in their cognitive improvement, but they did not miss out and also slowly improved when put on their own tailored precision medicine programme for their cognitive decline.)
Please note that this study was overseen by a team of highly qualified specialist professionals who were able to apply overarching Brain health precision medicine strategies alongside personalised recommendations which were tailored to include recommendations for any existing health imbalances or medical conditions. If you are interested in embarking on a functional and precision medicine programme for Brain health and Dementia risk-avoidance, it is essential that you consult a medical professional and a Nutritionist/Dietician expert who can compile a highly personalised bespoke protocol to suit your health history, current health status and Brain health aspirations.
Although the principles of functional medicine were used in the above trial, conventional medicine must not be overlooked. The Neurology teams at University College London Hospitals are also doing amazing work in developing pharmaceuticals, which I find equally interesting and will continue to encourage and wish the Neurologists every success because Dementia prevention is a team effort not a lone wolf aspiration. But wouldn’t it be nice if pharmaceuticals were needed only rarely, and if we could support ourself & our’health through our everyday dietary and lifestyle choices…
REMEMBER: if you are taking any medications always consult a Registered Nutritional Therapist as well as your Doctor before making significant dietary or lifestyle changes. This blog post is written for educational purposes only and in reference to ‘food’. It is NOT advocating taking dietary supplements. It is very important to please always consult a Registered Nutritional Therapist and your Doctor before introducing any dietary supplements into your health regime as these qualified professionals will be able to offer personalised recommendations.
If Brain, cognitive and/or memory are issues which you are struggling with and you want to discover the inspiring & sustainable diet & lifestyle programmes offered by Nutritional Therapy, get in touch via the Contact Me page on this website, or directly on info@eatdrinkthinknutrition.co.uk for more information about 1:2:1 Consultations with Kate at Eat Drink Think Nutrition®
In the meantime, don’t forget Eat, Drink, Think Nutrition and spare a thought (no pun intended) for your Brain health. Losing your Brain power can be even more devastating to you, and those around you, than losing an aspect of your physical health, so why wouldn’t you start to look after your Brain ASAP since diet and lifestyle modifications actioned NOW could save a lot of distress and heartbreak later in life.
REMEMBER: if you are taking any medications always consult a Registered Nutritional Therapist as well as your Doctor before making significant dietary or lifestyle changes. This blog post is written for educational purposes only and in reference to ‘food’. It is NOT advocating taking dietary supplements. It is very important to please always consult a Registered Nutritional Therapist or your Doctor before introducing any dietary supplements into your health regime as these qualified professionals will be able to offer personalised recommendations.
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REFERENCES
Caselli, R.J., Langlais, B.T., Dueck, A.C., et.al. (2020) Neuropsychological decline up to 20 years before incident mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimers Dement. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2019.09.085 https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/dementia-prevention-intervention-and-care
