✔️Shingles Vaccine May Shield Your Brain, Study Reveals
- Dr. Norm Dawson
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Getting vaccinated against shingles could do more than just prevent that painful rash. New research suggests it might also help protect your brain from dementia.
My Personal Story
I'm 77 years old and I haven't gotten the shingles vaccine yet. I normally do all I can to keep my self healthy with exercise, good eating habits and consuming high quality, science based antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. But as I get older and after learning about this research, I've decided to get vaccinated. I don't want to risk developing dementia, and if the shingles vaccine might help protect my brain, that's an important reason to get it.
I have been studying dementia and Alzheimer's for years. Like many of you, I've watched friends struggle with memory loss as they've aged. My mission is to help folks maintain their independence and memories as they age.
The Connection Between Shingles and Brain Health
Researchers have identified various potential risk factors and causes for cognitive decline, which can sometimes be a sign of dementia. One of these is brain inflammation.
Dr. Geldsetzer of Stanford University notes, "The shingles virus establishes itself in the neurons and can potentially spread to the brain. The resulting neuroinflammation could accelerate neurodegenerative processes that lead to dementia."
By preventing shingles outbreaks, the shingles vaccine may help reduce inflammation, potentially protecting against neurological damage that could lead to dementia.
Supporting Evidence
This isn't the first study to suggest a link between infections and dementia. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that certain herpes viruses were present in the brains of Alzheimer's patients at significantly higher rates than in those without the disease.
Researchers studied the medical records of nearly 200,000 Americans aged 65 and older. They compared people who got the shingles vaccine with those who didn't, tracking them for about 8 years.
The findings were significant:
Shingles vaccinated people had a 20% lower risk of developing dementia
Even people who still got shingles after vaccination had an 18% lower dementia risk compared to unvaccinated people
The protective effect lasted for about 10 years
How Could a Skin Rash Vaccine Help Your Brain?
You might wonder how a vaccine for a skin condition could possibly help prevent dementia. The answer lies in how the virus works in your body.
The virus that causes shingles is the same one that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your body for decades. As you get older or your immune system weakens, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles.
But this virus doesn't just affect your skin. It can cause inflammation throughout your body, including your brain. And research shows that brain inflammation may increase the risk of dementia.
Should You Get the Shingles Vaccine?
The CDC already recommends that adults 50 and older get the shingles vaccine (Shingrix). This new research provides another potential benefit to consider.
However, experts caution that this type of study shows a connection but doesn't prove the shingles vaccine directly prevents dementia. Dr. Corina Constantinescu, a disease specialist at Liverpool University, points out that more controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.
What This Means For You
If you're over 50, talk to your doctor about getting the shingles vaccine. The vaccine is:
Highly effective at preventing shingles
Given as two doses, 2-6 months apart
Usually covered by Medicare Part D and most health insurance plans
Even if you've had shingles before, you can still benefit from getting vaccinated to prevent future outbreaks.
The Bottom Line
This research suggests that protecting yourself against shingles might have the added benefit of helping protect your brain health. While more research is needed, staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines is a smart part of maintaining your overall health as you age.
Remember: dementia prevention involves multiple strategies, including staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, controlling blood pressure, and keeping your mind engaged. Adding the shingles vaccine might be one more tool in your prevention toolkit.
Additionally, get your hearing checked and corrected if necessary. Eating a healthy diet is great and for optimal health we need to add high quality science-based antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to help reduce inflammation and provide necessary nutrients for cognitive brain health.
Tap here to see the nutritional products I use for brain health for me and my family that I have been using for decades.*
*As an affiliate, I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through the links on this page. The price you pay is the same whether you use my link or not.
This blog post is based on recent research and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding vaccinations and health concerns.
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