Any kind of toxicity (including microbial) has a potential to cause a cognitive decline. The reasons why it happens are complex, but it boils down to energy. All such diseases have a common trait: they cause disruption of ATP production at the cellular level, affecting mitochondria. Then comes a domino effect: without sufficient energy supply, cells start to degrade. At early stages, it mostly affects high-energy cells like those in the brain and the rest of nervous system. Then comes the liver and muscles (including heart). At the end stage, the effect may cause a multiorgan failure and even death.

A reason why diets affect this situation so much is two-fold. First, a diet affects microbiota, causing stagnation and proliferation of selected species. Second, the diet affects cells and its organelles, especially mitochondria. For example, some acquired mitochondrial damages can be reversed by a sufficient supply of vitamins and minerals in combination with the right balance of carbohydrates and fats in the diet.

It is worth to mention that one has to eliminate the initial disruption factor that caused the problem in the first place. Be it infection, poison, or something else. Otherwise, the chances of recovery are dim.