Skip to content
Your health starts here.
  • Home
  • Meet The Team
  • Exercise Database
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Shop
  • Newsfeed
Menu
  • Home
  • Meet The Team
  • Exercise Database
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Shop
  • Newsfeed
“Your health starts here.”
  • Home
  • Meet The Team
  • Exercise Database
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Shop
  • Newsfeed
Menu
  • Home
  • Meet The Team
  • Exercise Database
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Shop
  • Newsfeed
Search
Close

Can Alzheimer’s Disease be Caused by Bacterial Infection?

When most people hear the word chlamydia, they are likely to think of the sexually transmitted disease caused by chlamydia trachomatis. But two other species of chlamydia bacteria are pathogenic to humans: C. psittaci and C. pneumoniae. Chlamydia pneumoniae (CPn) is a respiratory tract pathogen that causes pneumonia and can be transmitted from person to person through inhalation of airborne droplets or by touching infected surfaces and subsequently touching either the mouth or nose.

Recent research suggests that CPn bacteria are able to use the olfactory nerve in the nasal cavity to migrate to the brain and subsequently trigger a chronic neuroinflammatory response. Neuroinflammation alone is sufficient to damage and eventually kill neuron cells in the brain. But it may also lead to the production of beta-amyloid, the protein that forms the hallmark brain plaques seen in Alzheimer’s disease.1

In a population study in Taiwan, researchers found that patients infected with CPn exhibited a nearly 1.6-fold increased risk of developing AD in the following eight years compared to control subjects not infected with the bacteria.2 It was further shown that after treatment with a 15-day course of intravenous antibiotics, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and the formation of amyloid plaques were decreased and the risk of subsequent AD was attenuated.

Bacteria associated with periodontal disease also may lead to Alzheimer’s-related pathology. Scientists reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease an association between these bacteria, porphyromonas gingivalis, and risk of dementia. Periodontal disease develops when food particles and the bacteria form plaque on teeth which then irritates the gums causing inflammation and bleeding. Looking at records of 6,000 subjects who developed gum disease, researchers found that Alzheimer’s and death from AD in those 65 and older were associated with the presence of antibodies to P. gingivalis. In another study, tooth loss associated with severe gingivitis was associated with a 22 percent increased risk of Alzheimer’s.3

As in the case of CPn infection, the researchers found that the mouth bacteria, which can travel to the brain in the bloodstream, caused an inflammatory response and might trigger the production of beta-amyloid plaques.4 The CDC reports 47 percent of Americans aged 30 or older and 70 percent aged 65 and older have gum disease. While neither CPn nor P. gingivalis has been shown to be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease, the fact that these bacteria can infect the brain and activate pathological changes featured in the disease is cause for concern.

It’s been over 100 years since the first case of Alzheimer’s disease was diagnosed and we still lack a definitive understanding of its cause. However, it’s been estimated that up to 50 percent of Alzheimer’s cases worldwide result from just seven risk factors: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, depression, cognitive inactivity, and physical inactivity—all factors that are preventable and treatable.5 Periodontal disease is also preventable and treatable by maintaining good oral hygiene. If brain infection by CPn is conclusively shown to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, then this risk factor, too, can be addressed by way of a vaccine to prevent infection. We may still be years away from discovering a cure for Alzheimer’s but science shows us there is much we can do today to dramatically lower risk of developing the disease.

Joseph Keon is an investigative writer in the field of preventive medicine. He holds fitness expert certifications from both the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research and the American Council on Exercise. In his work as a wellness consultant in the public and private sphere for over 20 years, Keon focused on chronic degenerative diseases and their relationship to modifiable lifestyle choices. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Wild Oats Wellness Foundation and Dr. Helen Caldicott’s Nuclear Policy Research Institute as well as the Marin Health Council, an advisory to the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Keon is currently a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Keon is the author of The Alzheimer’s Revolution as well as three other books including Whitewash: The Disturbing Truth about Cow’s Milk and Your Health.

1 Al-Atrache, Z., et al., “Astrocytes infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae demonstrate altered expression and activity of secretases involved in the generation of β-amyloid found in Alzheimer disease,” BMC Neuroscience (2019). doi.org/10.1186/s12868-019-0489-5
2 Hsun, Ou, et al., “Association Between Antibiotic Treatment of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Reduced Risk of Alzheimer Dementia: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan,” Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (2021) doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2021.701899
3 Demmer, Ryan T., et al., “Periodontal disease and incident dementia: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC),” Neurology (2020). doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000010312
4 Beydoun M, et al., “Clinical and bacterial markers of periodontitis and their association with incident all-cause and Alzheimer’s disease dementia in a large national survey,” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 75 (2020):157-172.
5 Barnes, Deborah E., “The projected impact of risk factor reduction on Alzheimer’s disease prevalence,” Lancet Neurology 10 (2011):819-28.

Family Health,Workouts
/
Follow Us On
Facebook-f Twitter Youtube Instagram
Categories
Body Sculpting
Family Health
Featured
Health & Beauty
Military Fitness
Navy SEAL Fitness
Gallery

getfitnowdotcom

Behind the scenes for an upcoming project from @se Behind the scenes for an upcoming project from @seanviguefitness: Pilates for Runners.

If you are a runner and have not yet incorporated pilates into your training, you will benefit immensely from this approach to strength and mobility.

#pilates #running #strength #conditioning #marathon #5k #10k
👟 Should You Rotate Between Two Running Shoes? 👟 Should You Rotate Between Two Running Shoes? Experts Weigh In 👟

Running coach, author, and former pro athlete @andrejsbirjukovs shares his expert insight in a new @mensjournal feature on the benefits of rotating your running shoes.

💬 “Shoe rotation helps to strengthen muscles in the feet, which will help to tolerate the increased load when the cushioning of the shoe naturally stiffens,” says Birjukovs, author of "The Resilient Athlete".

✅ Boost foot strength
✅ Reduce injury risk
✅ Extend the life of your shoes
✅ Improve total-body performance

Whether you're training for a marathon or just getting started, this is a must-read for every runner. 🏃‍♂️💨

📖 Read the full article by @alexamellardo: "Should You Rotate Between Two Running Shoes? Here's What Experts Say" — now live on MensJournal.com.

#RunningTips #AndrejsBirjukovs #TheResilientAthlete #MensJournal #RunningCoach #ShoeRotation #InjuryPrevention #EnduranceTraining #RunnersOfInstagram
If you’re working toward a fitness goal, getting If you’re working toward a fitness goal, getting stuck with an injury can feel like a frustrating setback. But alongside things like physiotherapy and rest, focusing on nutrition may also help support your recovery.

VegNews spoke with Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN—the author of "The Vegan Athlete’s Nutrition Handbook" and the founder of plant-based wellness platform Purely Planted—to gather some of the best vegan nutrition tips for sports injury recovery.

Follow: @purely__planted @vegnews

#vegan #athlete #nutrition #diet #plantbased #recipes #sports
🌱 This Cookbook Could Save Your Heart—Literal 🌱 This Cookbook Could Save Your Heart—Literally! ❤️

What happens when a gourmet chef and a lifestyle medicine expert team up? You get the Heart-Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook—a revolutionary guide to salt-free, oil-free, flavor-packed meals that heal from the inside out. 🥦👨‍🍳

✨ Over 100 recipes.
🩺 Backed by real medical science.
🔥 Zero salt. Zero oil. 100% delicious.
📈 Perfect for beginners and pro chefs.
💡 Learn why each ingredient helps your heart.
🌍 Change your plate, change your life.

Whether you're fighting heart disease or just want to eat smarter, this book is your new kitchen essential. Ready to fall in love with food that loves you back? 💚

Follow @globalcookingschool @haripulapaka @jennefferp @alwaysjenneffer 

#hearthealth #cooking #recipes
Created by a licensed professional counselor, “G Created by a licensed professional counselor, “GRACE: A Model for Grieving” fills in the gaps of current grief models which have their limitations due to a lack of inclusion for spirituality, situational factors, cultural variables and other factors. This book analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the prevailing model of CBT to offer a new framework that supports individual beliefs, goals and sense of purpose in the grieving process.

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1578269970 (link in bio)

#grief #griefsupport #griefjourney #grieving #grievingsupport
Did you know avocados are rich in fiber, B6, vitam Did you know avocados are rich in fiber, B6, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, folate, and copper?

#avocado #avocados #nutrition #healthyfood #healthyeating
Self-care is so important! How do you like to rela Self-care is so important! How do you like to relax?

#relax #selfcare #selfcaretips #selfcareideas #howtorelax
#MotivationMonday #MotivationMonday
“Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!” leads you through the b “Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!” leads you through the basics with step-by-step instructions as well tips and tricks to help you create awesome pizza every time. Plus you'll get over 75 pizza recipes, all easy to make and all delicious.

Available for pre-order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1578269687 (link in bio) 

#pizza #pizzapizzapizza #pizzarecipe #pizzarecipes #homemadepizza
8 Ways to Survive Being Single This Summer: https: 8 Ways to Survive Being Single This Summer: https://getfitnow.com/8-ways-survive-single-summer/ (link in bio)

#single #singlevibes #singlesummer #livingsingle #singlelife
Taste summer with this Mediterranean Summer Salad Taste summer with this Mediterranean Summer Salad Recipe: https://getfitnow.com/mediterranean-summer-salad-recipe/ (link in bio)

#summersalad #summerrecipes #summereats #summerfood #cooking
Tell us something that made you smile today! #smi Tell us something that made you smile today!

#smile #smilemore #smiletoday #reasonstosmile #happiness
#FitnessMotivation #FitnessMotivation
This one’s for the workout warriors! #workout # This one’s for the workout warriors!

#workout #workoutlife #workoutwarrior #workoutwarriors #lift
Where are you adventuring this summer? #summer #s Where are you adventuring this summer?

#summer #summer2024 #summeradventures #travel #traveler
July is National Blueberry Month! Did you know tha July is National Blueberry Month! Did you know that blueberries are a great source of vitamin C?

#nationalblueberrymonth #blueberries #vitaminc #nutrition #healthyfood
#SummerVibes #SummerVibes
Infused water is a great way to make hydrating mor Infused water is a great way to make hydrating more exciting this summer!

#infusedwater #water #hydration #summer #summervibes
6 Reasons Why You Should Play Pickleball: https:// 6 Reasons Why You Should Play Pickleball: https://getfitnow.com/6-reasons-why-you-should-play-pickleball/ (link in bio)

#pickleball #pickleballislife #sports #exercise
Happy Fresh Spinach Day! Spinach is rich in iron, Happy Fresh Spinach Day! Spinach is rich in iron, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, and magnesium.

#freshspinachday #freshspinach #spinach #nutrition #healthyfood
Follow on Instagram

JOIN GETFITNOW

It’s Fitness 24/7. Videos, Workouts, Nutrition, Recipes, Tips, and more!
* indicates required

  • Home
  • Workouts
  • Nutrition
  • Submissions
  • Follow us on Facebook
Menu
  • Home
  • Workouts
  • Nutrition
  • Submissions
  • Follow us on Facebook
Facebook-f Twitter Youtube Pinterest Instagram
Get Fit Now © Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Website Maintenance Prateeksha Web Design

Your health starts here.

Subscribe for a healthy dose of fitness, plus the latest articles, videos, and expert content.

* indicates required