How to Reverse Cognitive Decline, Autoimmune Disease & Aging — Dr. David Ward's Playbook

In episode 9 of The One Percent Doctor, Adam Lamb interviews Dr. David Ward — a former Division I strength coach turned functional medicine expert — who shares his deeply personal journey from lupus diagnosis at 17 to full remission and thriving health. Dr. Ward unpacks how functional medicine helped him overcome autoimmune disease, and how his protocols are now reversing cognitive decline, optimizing brain health, and extending healthspan for patients across the country.From inflammation to insulin resistance, mold toxicity to mitochondrial energy, this episode is packed with clear insights and powerful strategies for taking control of your long-term health.TIMESTAMPS[00:00:45] From accounting to chiropractic to functional medicine [00:03:20] Diagnosed with lupus at 17 — and beating the odds [00:04:49] From flare-ups to full remission through functional healing [00:07:21] The pain of missing out — and what patients really want back [00:08:14] Teaching AIDS patients stress management in the ‘80s [00:09:33] Shifting focus to reversing cognitive decline [00:11:05] Drivers of Alzheimer’s: mold, inflammation, and more [00:13:05] How sleep clears toxins from the brain [00:15:00] The link between insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s [00:18:03] Creatine, energy, and cognitive protection [00:20:14] Healthspan vs. lifespan — why it matters [00:21:25] The ABCs of aging: arteries, bones, cognition [00:23:32] Blood markers that reveal early signs of decline [00:25:23] When cholesterol is fine but you still have a 5-alarm fire [00:26:08] Pharmaceuticals vs supplements: finding the balance [00:27:28] CoQ10, nitric oxide, and daily tadalafil [00:29:35] Blood flow is brain flow — and why it’s everything [00:31:47] Adam’s story: shifting from body to brain [00:33:13] Working with patients across the U.S. via groups and Zoom [00:35:12] “You’re never too old” — Dr. Ward’s anti-aging daily routine [00:38:07] Strength is the glass: how performance training carries over [00:40:17] Why aesthetic training isn’t enough for long-term health [00:41:12] The brain-boosting benefits of consistency and joy [00:42:21] “One day, I may not be able to — today is not that day.”QUOTES“There’s no sign I ever had lupus. It’s been in remission for decades.” – Dr. David Ward“Alzheimer’s is often just unmanaged inflammation, insulin resistance, and toxicity over time.” – Dr. David Ward“Strength is the glass. Everything else in your health pours into it.” – Dr. David Ward“Your habits today are building your brain for tomorrow.” – Adam LambSOCIAL MEDIA LINKSDr. David Ward Website: https://entavida.com/Adam LambInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamlamb33/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.lamb.718/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-lamb-tx/WebsiteOne Percent Doctor: https://theonepercentlife.com/