How Vascular Health Impacts Brain Function and Alzheimer’s Risk With Dr. Peter Rogers

In this Episode

00:55 – Meet Dr. Peter Rogers, MD

03:10 – What we need to know about hypertension

05:14 – Understanding the underlying causes of hypertension

15:05 – Conventional medicine vs. Dr. Rogers’ research 

19:21 – Kidney failure and brain health connection

23:20 – A thousand brains theory and imaging tests to diagnose dementia  

32:11 – Dr. Rogers explains different neurodegeneration theories 

40:49 – Diet and lifestyle changes for vascular, mitochondrial, and brain health

47:20 – The truth about olive oil and how it affects health

54:28 – Dr. Rogers’ controversial thoughts about the healthcare system

Resources:

– Top Supplements for Alzheimer’s Guide 

– Blood Pressure in the African Native by C.P. Donnison 

Connect with Dr. Peter Rogers, MD:

– YouTube 

Connect with Dr. Josh Helman, MD:

– Instagram 

– Facebook 

– LinkedIn 

– TikTok 

– YouTube 

– Others 

Disclaimer: Please remember that this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare professional before making any changes to your treatment plan.

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How Vascular Health Impacts Brain Function and Alzheimer’s Risk With Dr. Peter Rogers

Struggling with brain fog, memory issues, or concerns about dementia? You’re not alone. And surprisingly, the root of these problems might not start in your brain — but in your blood vessels. In today’s deep dive, we explore how vascular health profoundly affects brain function and increases Alzheimer’s risk. Dr. Peter Rogers, a neural radiologist and health advocate, shares eye-opening insights into how what we eat, how we live, and how we move shape our cognitive future. Stick around — we’re uncovering practical steps you can take to protect your brain starting today.

🎯 Key Takeaways From the Episode:

• High blood pressure, leaky gut, and poor diet directly damage blood vessels and brain function (05:18).

   

• A plant-based, low-fat, low-sodium diet can significantly reduce Alzheimer’s risk (14:31).

   

• Early vascular damage mirrors kidney decline — brain shrinkage starts before symptoms appear (19:39).

   

• Exercise builds brain resilience by boosting mitochondrial health and cognitive reserve (45:00). 

How Vascular Health and Blood Pressure Impact the Brain

Vascular health plays a huge role in brain aging. Dr. Rogers explains that high blood pressure stiffens arteries, which over time restricts oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain cells. Without enough blood flow, the brain slowly shrinks — much like a failing kidney.

Three major contributors to hypertension:

1. High-fat diets cause “blood sludge,” where fats and cholesterol thicken the blood, making the heart work harder.
2. High sodium intake constricts arteries, reducing blood flow.
3. Chronic stress spikes cortisol and adrenaline, keeping blood pressure dangerously high.

The Hidden Dangers of Leaky Gut and Brain Health

One of Dr. Rogers’ groundbreaking theories connects leaky gut to high blood pressure and brain degeneration. When the gut lining breaks down, bacterial toxins (like LPS) enter the bloodstream, triggering widespread inflammation.

Here’s the dangerous chain reaction:

1. Leaky gut ➔ Bacterial toxins enter blood.
2. Immune cells (neutrophils) get activated and stick to blood vessel walls.
3. Damage to blood vessels impairs blood flow to the brain.
4. Brain cells die off slowly from lack of oxygen and nutrients.

The fix? Focus on gut health by prioritizing a whole food, fiber-rich, plant-based diet to rebuild the gut barrier and protect the brain

Why Early Brain Shrinkage Often Goes Unnoticed

Dr. Rogers highlights that the brain, like the kidneys, can lose significant function before symptoms appear. This “silent” brain loss happens gradually as blood vessels get clogged or weakened. MRIs often reveal brain atrophy long before memory problems emerge.

Signs of vascular aging to watch for:

• High blood pressure
• Cataracts or eye health issues
• Poor dental health

Each of these hints at vascular damage that could also be harming the brain. Catch it early, and lifestyle changes can make a dramatic difference.

Building Brain Resilience With Exercise and Smart Habits

You can’t outrun a bad diet, but exercise still matters immensely for brain health. Physical activity boosts mitochondrial function — the energy engines of brain cells — and builds a “cognitive reserve” that delays symptoms of dementia.

Best ways to enhance brain resilience:

• Dance: Combines physical and social stimulation.
• Lifelong learning: Reading, intellectual conversations, and studying create new brain connections.
• Consistent movement: Daily walks, strength training, and aerobic exercise help maintain blood flow and brain size.

Dr. Rogers also recommends removing mitochondrial inhibitors from your life — like ultra-processed foods, excess fluoride, and certain medications — to protect brain energy production long-term.

Conclusion: 

Protecting your brain starts with protecting your blood vessels. As Dr. Peter Rogers emphasized, vascular health is key to maintaining cognitive function and preventing Alzheimer’s. By managing blood pressure, healing your gut, eating a plant-based diet, and exercising regularly, you can dramatically lower your risk of cognitive decline.

If you found this helpful, check out our related episode on “Can Fasting and Autophagy Reverse Alzheimer’s” or subscribe for more science-backed insights into brain health.

What’s one small change you can make today to support your vascular health? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!