Alzheimer’s and dementia are some of the scariest realities for adults to consider. No one wants to feel like they’re going to lose their mind!
But in this day and age, it feels like cognitive decline is inevitable for many of us, “just a normal part of aging.”
Similarly, our culture has come to accept that many kids are neurodivergent, that their brains are wired differently. We diagnose it as ADHD or ASD, or we see that 1/3 of our teens have clinical anxiety and we think, “It’s just the way the world is. We’ll help them navigate.”
My guest today, Dr. Kristine Bosnar, wants us all to push back against acceptance. In fact, she says that the neuro-inflammation at the root of Alzheimer’s and dementia is the SAME as what we see in kids with ADHD and other mental health struggles! Their brains are on fire.
If someone told you your 10-year-old has pre-Alzheimer’s, would you be ready to listen up? What if you also discovered that cognitive decline is NOT inevitable, that there are dozens of ways to slow it down and reverse it?
We want the best for our kids, and this interview is packed with heavy motivation and some hard words to get us parents to “just do it” when it comes to creating an environment to reduce inflammation and improve brain health for our kids.
We can help our kids lay the foundation for strong mental health – which translates into vitality and strong physical health – for the rest of their lives. Every single area of your family’s life will see improvement if you can begin taking the steps laid out in this interview. Spoiler: they’re remarkably simple and common.
What is simple isn’t always easy, but in this case, it will be worth it 100 times over.
Buckle up and get ready to learn:
- why brain health is in a steep decline the last 20-30 years
- how it’s affecting kids and the projected statistics
- alarming correlations between the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and ADHD, autism, anxiety
- clear red flags of brain inflammation that we mustn’t ignore in our kids
- what to DO to help kids thrive and reduce neuro-inflammation
- how the 3 S’s – sugar, sedentary lifestyle, and sleep – are pivotal players in the inflammation game
- simple tips for how to start the day right for brain health
- the epidemic of loneliness that we must stop NOW for our kids’ generation
- why cooking together with your kids is a powerful (and efficient) step toward brain health for the whole family
I might have to listen to this one again myself – maybe with my older teens, who deserve to have this education as well.
Bottom line: Your genes aren’t your destiny. Your diagnosis isn’t your destiny. We have the power to make changes in our lives that will change our health, from brain to gut to daily living. Unlock that power with education!
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Can’t see the video? Watch Brain Inflammation in Kids on YouTube!
No time for the video? Here are the notes!
Time Stamps for Brain Inflammation in Kids
1:03 – Katie introduces Dr. Kristina Bosnar, explains her background in pediatrics and functional medicine, and shares a free Brain-Boosting Foods for Kids resource.
2:09 – Kids are showing early signs that look like Alzheimer’s patterns, and parents need education more than fear! It’s time to listen up.
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A Pediatric Chiropractor’s Front Row Seat
3:00 – Dr. Bosnar shares how her pediatric practice has changed drastically over the last 15 years. Our kids are getting sicker, younger.
04:30 – How Alzheimer’s research led her to uncover powerful lifestyle tools for kids—before symptoms show up.
05:40 – The “long-haul” work of parenting with prevention in mind. What we do today matters 20 years from now. (Same reason we teach kids life skills NOW, not later!)
6:45 – Brain inflammation in kids is becoming the norm, not the exception. We talk stats that’ll make your jaw drop!!
“You cannot medicate away a lifestyle problem. Build a healthier lifestyle.” – Dr. Kristina Bosnar
7:50 – Suicide is now a leading cause of death for young people. This is beyond a behavior issue; it’s an epidemic of brain health. Tune into Episode 43 for more ways parents can help prevent depression in kids.
Brains on Fire: the New Normal?
9:05 – Is neurodivergence just diversity, or is it a signal that something’s wrong? This part is nuanced and worth pondering.
10:15 – Movement, outdoor play, and nutrition: three reasons why our modern kids are missing crucial brain-building inputs.
11:21 – What is neuroinflammation, exactly? Dr. Bosnar explains what parts of the brain are affected and what symptoms show up.
11:49 – The science is clear: kids with anxiety and ADHD often have smaller brains. Shrinking brains. This is not just emotional stuff. (Listen to my interviews with Mike McCleod and Dana Kay for more on ADHD and kids.)
13:19 – ADHD, anxiety, autism, and Alzheimer’s might have more in common than we ever thought—including similar symptoms.
14:44 – Good grades aren’t the goal if the brain is inflamed. We need to rethink how we define success.
How to Spot Brain Inflammation in Kids
16:04 – What does brain inflammation actually look like in kids? Here’s a checklist of signs and symptoms to watch for.
17:55 – It’s not just “big moods.” When you see multiple signs (headaches, constipation, sleep issues) … it’s time to dig deeper.
19:08 – One powerful mindset shift: symptoms are not personality flaws. They’re messages from the body. Teach kids to listen.
20:28 – Chronic inflammation starts young and shows up as “normal” behaviors. We talk about what to do right now.
No matter what life throws at our kids, we need them to be resilient.
This free download will give you some practical and actionable steps to improve brain health and resilience.
21:38 – Why sleep is foundational to reversing inflammation. Yes, even one bad night starts the process of neuronal death.
22:56 – There’s no single fix. No magic pill. But there are dozens of small lifestyle changes that stack up fast. (Subscribe to my Monday Missions at Kitchen Stewardship and I’ll send you one tiny change a week to move to a more holistically healthy lifestyle, free of toxins! You can also check out my lists of natural, zinc-based sunscreens and safe cleaners for the home to start.)
24:07 – Let’s break down the five root causes of Alzheimer’s and how they apply to kids: sugar, toxins, mold, gut imbalances, and lack of movement.
26:15 – The research on muscle mass, testosterone, and sugar in teen boys is shocking. Movement isn’t optional; it’s medicine.
Small Daily Choices, Big Results
27:30 – Don’t keep Oreos in the house if you know your child is struggling. Remove temptation, not just blame.
28:45 – Protein and color at breakfast are game changers. What the brain needs is not cereal and granola bars. These make-ahead egg cups have a TON of protein and come together easily.
“Genes are not destiny. Daily habits turn them on and off.” – Dr. Kristina Bosnar
31:47 – Cooking with your kids = reducing inflammation + building connection + teaching life skills. Triple win.
32:43 – Loneliness inflames the brain too. Even if your kids are surrounded by people, they need to feel truly seen. (I loved learning about the science of friendship with Dr. Marisa D. Franco!)
33:21 – Habit stacking: pair cooking, movement, and connection to tackle multiple root causes at once.
Rethinking Diagnoses
35:29 – Diagnoses are helpful, but they’re not the end. They’re the beginning of a new plan, one rooted in food, sleep, and connection.
37:57 – Sleep hygiene tip: please don’t let your child sleep with their phone. It’s wrecking their rest and inflaming their brain.
“I just want my kids to eat what I make!”
This free 5-day challenge was made for you.
Spend just 30 minutes a day learning practical strategies that reduce mealtime battles and help kids build confidence with food.
38:35 – Dr. Bosnar’s story about gluten and sleep is powerful. One week off changed a child’s life.
39:13 – The simplest action step? Cut added sugar and get your kids moving. It’s free, and it works.
Resources We Mention for Brain Inflammation in Kids
- Get Dr. Kristina’s Brain Boosting Foods for Kids resource
- 3 Ways Parents Can Help Prevent Depression in Their Kids
- Hear more on ADHD from Mike McLeod and Dana Kay
- Subscribe to the Monday Missions for quick tips to more natural living! And start with safe sunscreens and green cleaners for your home.
- Make-ahead egg cups have a ton of protein for breakfast!
- The Science of Friendship (and Why That Matters to Our Health) with Psychologist Dr. Marisa G. Franco
- Visit Dr. Bosnar’s website or find her on Instagram @drkristinabosnar
Dr. Kristina Bosnar, a.k.a. The Doctor Biohacking Supermom is Canada’s only Functional Medicine Doctor with Advanced Clinical Training in Paediatrics. Her extensive experience in paediatric and perinatal Chiropractic allows her to combine the expertise of development and neurological insights with the exciting new functional medicine approach of diet and lifestyle based personalized care.
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