Understanding neurodegenerative disease and how to fight back with Autonomy.
For most people, the thought of losing their mind—of forgetting their loved ones, their memories, their very identity—is terrifying.
Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases aren’t just illnesses; they are thieves, slowly stealing time, ability, and independence.
But here’s what most people don’t realise: in most cases these diseases are not random. They don’t just “happen” to us.
Your daily habits—what you eat, how you move, how you sleep, how you manage stress—are either protecting your brain or accelerating its decline.
If you’re feeling powerless, we want you to hear this: you are not doomed by your genes. You are not too late. You have the power to change your future.
At Autonomy, we use medically-led health coaching to detect risk factors early, diagnose metabolic and neurodegenerative disease before symptoms appear, and give you a roadmap to fight back. But the first step? Understanding what you’re up against.
What Is neurodegenerative disease?
Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions where brain cells become damaged and die over time. The most common ones include:
Alzheimer’s disease – The most common form of dementia, characterised by the accumulation of toxic proteins (beta-amyloid and tau) in the brain, causing memory loss, confusion, and personality changes.
Dementia – A broader term for memory loss and cognitive decline that interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most well-known type, but there are others, like vascular dementia, which is caused by poor blood flow to the brain.
Parkinson’s disease – A movement disorder that also affects brain function and can lead to cognitive decline over time.
The truth? These diseases don’t start when you notice symptoms. They begin decades earlier, in silence, fuelled by lifestyle choices that most people don’t think twice about.
The lifestyle habits that are destroying your brain
Modern life is a perfect storm for neurodegenerative disease. The way we eat, move, and live today is radically different from how our brains evolved to function. If you want to protect your mind, you need to break free from these silent killers:
Ultra-processed foods and sugar overload - Every time you spike your blood sugar, you’re fuelling brain inflammation. Excess sugar and refined carbs trigger insulin resistance, contributing to memory decline and Alzheimer’s risk.
Chronic stress and poor sleep - If you’re constantly wired, overwhelmed, or running on 5 hours of sleep, you’re ageing your brain at warp speed. High cortisol levels shrink the hippocampus, the part of your brain responsible for memory.
A sedentary lifestyle - Sitting all day? You’re starving your brain of oxygen and blood flow. Regular movement—especially strength training and Zone 2 cardio (like brisk walking)—is essential for brain health. It’s not about doing extreme workouts—it’s about consistency.
Social isolation - Loneliness increases dementia risk as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Your brain thrives on meaningful human connection, yet modern life makes it easy to withdraw.
Every change you make is a vote for a stronger, sharper mind.
The early warning signs—and what we test at Autonomy
Most people don’t know they’re at risk for neurodegenerative disease until it’s too late. That’s why testing is critical. At Autonomy, we measure key biomarkers that reveal how your brain is ageing and whether you’re on a collision course with disease. Here’s what we look at:
Blood sugar and insulin resistance – Chronically high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the brain, increasing dementia risk. If you’re insulin resistant (which more than 1 in 3 adults are) your brain is already under attack.
Visceral fat and metabolic health – Excess belly fat and fatty liver disease aren’t just about weight—they accelerate brain ageing. We scan your body and measure your waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage, and liver health markers to gauge risk.
APOE genotype – A genetic marker that indicates whether you have a higher risk for Alzheimer’s. But here’s the key: genes load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger. Just because you have the APOE4 gene doesn’t mean you’re doomed—it means you need to be even more intentional about your habits.
Chronic inflammation and blood vessel health – Inflammation is the hidden fire driving brain diseases. We test for ApoB (a key cholesterol marker) and blood pressure, to assess how much damage is already happening.
Sleep and stress response – Poor sleep and chronic stress skyrocket your risk for dementia. Our metabolic health assessment includes cortisol and sleep analysis to determine whether stress is accelerating brain decline.
The biggest mistake you can make? Ignoring the warning signs. If you wait until symptoms appear, years of damage have already been done. Now is the time to act.
Your future self is calling—Will you answer?
Right now, you have a choice. You can ignore the warning signs, hoping you’ll “deal with it later.” But later is coming. Fast. Or you can take action today—to protect your brain, your independence, and your future.
At Autonomy, we don’t do band-aid medicine. We don’t just give you vague advice to eat better, move more and stress less. We identify your risk, diagnose issues before they become diseases, and give you the exact steps to fight back.
You are not broken. You are not too far gone. You just haven’t been given the right tools—until now.
This is your moment. Not just to prevent disease, but to build a future where your mind is sharp, your energy is high, and your health is truly in your hands.