A bacterium best known for causing gum disease has been found inside the brains of people with Alzheimer's. Sounds like a horror movie — but it's real science, and there's a lot more to the story than the scary headline suggests.
In this episode, Dr. Ellie Campbell, DO and Dr. Kathleen Carson, DDS discuss the surprising link between oral bacteria and brain health. They break down a real research finding, explain how mouth bacteria could travel to the brain, and tackle the all-important difference between \"found there\" and \"caused it\" — so you leave informed instead of alarmed.
In this episode:
- What researchers actually found: *P. gingivalis* bacteria and its tissue-destroying \"gingipain\" enzymes inside Alzheimer's brains
- Three biologically plausible ways mouth bacteria could reach the brain — through the bloodstream, along the trigeminal nerve, and via weakened protective barriers
- Why the tau tangles linked to Alzheimer's may be the *result* of inflammation, not the original cause
- The \"firefighters at the fire\" trap — how to tell correlation apart from causation
- Why there's no inflammation-free bubble in the body, and how the mouth, gut, airway, and brain are all connected
- The modifiable habits that build brain resilience: healthy gums, better sleep, balanced blood sugar, and nasal breathing
Learn more: https://sleepsexandsenility.com
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qsFqbB3oAgw
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