A personalized approach considering multiple factors may be helpful for changing the course of Alzheimer disease.
Beets are not sexy, though they may improve your love life. Beet health benefits may also include lower blood pressure and brain protection.
This interview with Dr. Fekrat addresses your questions about how to keep your eyes healthy and protect your precious eyesight.
Is low blood pressure always healthy? Many think that 120/80 is ideal. Research shows that low BP may sometimes raise dementia risk in elders
When doctors' recommendations are based on scientific evidence, they hold up. But blind spots that rely on dogma instead are a problem.
Including berries in your meals–blackberries, blueberries, raspberries or strawberries–should improve your chance of successful brain aging.
What is at the root cause of Alzheimer's disease? Growing research suggests a connection between viral infections and dementia. Fight back!
People who eat lots of vegetables and healthy fats like olive oil may avoid dementia better than those following a pro-inflammatory diet.
People with higher blood levels of DHA, a fat from fish, had lower levels of amyloid in the brain. APOE4 carriers benefit from fish oil.
To maintain your brain at its proper size and best function, eat a diet high in nutrients. That means plenty of veggies and not many cookies.
There's good news and bad news about benzos and Alzheimer disease. The risk of dementia seems small, but brain shrinkage could be a problem!
Scientists hope that a blood test for Alzheimer disease that measures a protein resulting from nerve cell breakdown will permit early diagnosis.
Could a flu shot reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack? What about Shingrix shingles vaccines against dementia? New data look good!
In this episode, learn about medicinal mushrooms that can modulate the immune system or possibly reduce the risk of dementia.
Regular sauna bathing lowers blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. It may also help prevent lung disease and dementia. Exercise plus sauna is synergistic.
Staying fit with gardening, walking or other exercise does more than keep your heart healthy. It also reduces your risk of dementia.
Following a Mediterranean diet with lots of veggies, fruit and fish can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and breast cancer.
Older people who eat a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fish, vegetables and legumes may be able to delay dementia and stay sharp.
Older people have a lower risk for dementia if they can address several risk factors such as sedentary habits, depression or hypertension.
Should everyone, regardless of age, control hypertension rigorously? Is there such a thing as overtreating high blood pressure?
Could lithium in water fend off dementia? Are you getting lithium in your water supply. What about low doses of lithium? Helpful or harmful?
Older people are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to cognitive difficulties. Certain medications and a vegetarian diet increase the risk.
You may have seen TV advertising for a dietary supplement called Prevagen to improve memory. Now the FTC has called the product into question.
Researchers have developed a smartphone app that can detect symptoms of frontotemporal dementia accurately. They plan to use it in studies.
Drug companies have left patients disappointed in their quest to prevent Alzheimer's disease. A new study suggests Viagra might work.
The COSMOS-MInd study show that seniors taking a daily multivitamin are more likely to stay sharp. A high-veggie diet might also help.
There is a suspicion that some infections may increase the risk for dementia. Could vaccines like BCG against TB protect against Alzheimer's?
The FDA approved 2 new anti-Alzheimer’s treatments. Leqembi is left. Will it approve donanemab? MABS may shrink the brain. Isn't that Bad?
Randomized controlled trials answer the question: Could exercise save your brain? with yes. Following a DASH diet as well may help even more.
Many medications can interfere with good nutrition. If you are taking pills for certain conditions, perhaps you should be taking vitamin supplements.
Could memory problems be due to drugs rather than aging or dementia? Meds turned one reader's memory to "garbage." Beware anticholinergics!
There is no simple answer to the question: is hormone therapy safe? A new study links HRT to an increased risk of dementia. Is it valid?
Studies show hearing impairment is associated with cognitive decline, but with better hearing people stay sharp longer.
Physical activity was linked to less cognitive decline among seniors in a large study. How are you staying active?
In this episode, we consider the benefits and considerable risks of drugs like Wegovy for treating obesity. Our guest says eat real food!
Metformin helps manage blood sugar. It is the miracle of metformin. It also helps prevent long COVID, dementia and some common cancers.
What’s your resting heart rate? If it’s greater than 80 beats per minute you may be at a risk for dementia. Is there anything you can do?
The burden of dementia is heavy. Not only are there physical and emotional challenges that come with cognitive decline, medical costs soar.
Listen to this interview with two leading nutrition scientists to determine whether you are choosing real or fake foods. (Real is better.)
When middle-aged people participate in adult education courses, they maintain many aspects of intelligence and reduce the risk of dementia.
Memory loss is a terrible challenge. Might commonly prescribed medications or OTC antihistamines be to blame?
Fluorescent "flowers" in mouse brains give us a new look at Alzheimer disease. And laboratory mice given a dietary supplement run mazes well.
A type of retina scan known as optical coherence tomography angiography, or OCTA, can detect changes indicative of Alzheimer Disease before symptoms appear.
Older people with low vitamin D levels are more vulnerable to dementia. A new study shows that taking vitamin D may help prevent dementia.
In this episode, our expert guest says it's time to think different about Alzheimer disease. Look at it as an autoimmune disorder.
Millions of Americans suffer with long illness. Conventional medicine doesn't always have treatments for these conditions.
Numerous studies show that anthocyanins in blueberries help lower systolic blood pressure and improve cognitive performance of impaired individuals.
Millions of people take OTC pain relievers to combat insomnia. Do they realize that these "PM" sleeping pills have anticholinergic activity?
Compounds in Lion's Mane mushrooms help nerve cells connect and boost memory in mice. Could they help slow cognitive decline in humans?
Staying mentally active and following a diet rich in colorful produce can help you keep your brain healthy. Having fun helps too!
Several studies suggest that flu shots protect older adults from dementia as well as from infection. Regular immunizations seem to work best.
Are you experiencing more brain fog than usual? Did you catch COVID without even knowing it? Brain shrinkage and cognitive decline can result
This week, we speak with two scientists who are challenging dogma about how the brain works and how we can treat it.
In studies that coupled step counters with coaching by health professionals, volunteers increased their physical activity.
A meta-analysis indicates that ADHD drugs like Ritalin or Strattera could help people with Alzheimer disease improve cognition.
Neurologists worry that SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect the brain and raise the possibility of later dementia as a consequence.
A combination of two coffee compounds act synergistically to protect the brain in mice. Human coffee drinkers also benefit.
Certain herbs, such as basil, lemon balm, rosemary and sage, as well as some spices like cinnamon, ginger and turmeric, may help protect your memory.
Should the FDA reconsider allowing PPIs to be sold OTC? There's growing evidence that PPIs are linked to dementia. A Swedish study shows how.
Studies suggest produce rich in flavonoids and folate are among the foods you should eat to reduce your risk for dementia.
Data linking herpes virus infections (HSV-1) with a higher risk of dementia offer hope that taking L-lysine might prevent Alzheimer disease.
According to a study, older people who drink cherry juice score better on tests of cognitive function after three months.
A large, long-term cohort study shows that cataract surgery may help delay dementia or reduce the risk of serious cognitive decline.
Scientists tested dark roast and light roast coffee as well as decaf to see what components of coffee may prevent amyloid plaques.
Symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency may mimic senility, with poor concentration, constipation, balance problems and tingling or numbness in hands or feet.
Alzheimer disease is devastating. People think it's caused by bad genes or bad luck. But data link anticholinergic drugs and dementia.
Dr. Dale Bredesen has invited the first survivors of Alzheimer's to describe how they saved their brains with his protocol.
ACE inhibitors that can get into the brain may protect memory in older adults. ARBs that cross the blood-brain barrier also seem to work.
A study of 10,000 British civil servants shows that earlier diagnosis of type 2 diabetes increases the chance of developing dementia.
Middle aged people skimping on sleep may be putting themselves at risk for dementia in old age.
Find out how women can reduce their risk for dementia with diet, exercise and the proper timing of hormone therapy.
A study finds that, for older women, eating fish a couple of times a week can provide protection against brain shrinkage caused by air pollution.
A study among older Americans finds that moderate drinking is linked to cognitive benefits for white participants. Too much is not good!
Dr. Dale Bredesen describes how to boost your immune system to defend your brain from infection, toxins and inadequate nourishment.
In a new meta-analysis, the investigators found that people taking blood pressure medicines are slightly less likely to develop dementia.
Researchers have found that dementia genes are twice as common among hospitalized COVID-19 patients as in the general population.
Ask a doctor whether proton pump inhibitors have anticholinergic activity and you will hear no! But is there a link between PPIs and cognitive dysfunction?
Pharmaceutical scientists have been striving to get amyloid plaques out of the brain, but new research suggests that amyloid may be acting to protect the brain from microbes. What are the implications
Maintaining physical activity and consuming blueberries, turmeric and rosemary may help you stay sharp as you age. Which will you try?
Experts have been concerned that anesthesia for surgery might boost the risk of Alzheimer disease. Doctors from the Mayo Clinic have reassuring news.
If you want to lower your dementia risk with a drink or two, stick to just one or two a week. LIght drinking is linked to less plaque in the brain.
Should you be tested to see if you are likely to develop dementia? The answer is different for everyone. What will you do with the results?
Rodent research shows that grape seed extract can slow cognitive decline and the development of dementia. How well will it work for humans?
Drug companies have long been thwarted in developing a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Now a Chinese firm is taking a different approach to the problem.
Soccer is a wonderful sport. It requires extraordinary stamina and great team play. Kids love it. But is there harm to the brain when players head the ball?
Doctors who use exercise as medicine offer personalized prescriptions for activity. This can be as powerful as medications for promoting health.
This week, share your thoughts and learn about skeeter syndrome, how certain common drugs affect your ability to think and statin side effects.
Determining the best treatment(s) for PCa is challenging. Hormone suppression is common. Is there a link between this prostate cancer therapy and dementia?
Older adults who show signs of falling for scams may be at risk for mental deterioration over the next several years.
Some companies promoting products to treat Alzheimer's disease have received warning letters from the FDA: Don't sell dietary supplements for dementia!
A new study offers hints that aggressive blood pressure control with a goal of 120 for systolic pressure may reduce the chance of mild cognitive impairment.
Alzheimer's disease is devastating. No one knows what causes dementia. New research reveals that leaky blood vessels may be a key factor. What causes this?
People taking benzodiazepines like clonazepam for insomnia are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Could benzos increase the risk for dementia?
The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study showed that men who usually eat six servings or so of vegetables daily have better memory and cognitive ability.
A new MRI technique, diffusion tensor imaging, may detect Alzheimer's disease before it damages cognitive function noticably.
New technology turns your eyes into the window to your brain. A non-invasive scan of the retina can tell who is headed for Alzheimer disease.
A study of French senior citizens shows that if you do a good job of helping your heart with diet and exercise, you also dramatically lower your likelihood of dementia.
Can the active ingredient in marijuana ease some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease? A synthetic cannabinoid (Nabilone) eases agitation. What if dementia patients experience euphoria?
Have you ever gone sauna bathing? This reader says he thought it was a lazy indulgence. Now he knows there are proven health benefits of a sauna bath.
Finnish researchers report that people who use a sauna bath nearly every day are much less susceptible to strokes, heart attacks and dementia.
We don't have a lot of tools for chronic fatigue syndrome or dementia. Is it possible that low-dose lithium for chronic fatigue or dementia prevention would be worth consideration?
A very large study from the UK has reinforced a link between anticholinergic drugs are dementia. Which drugs are most problematic? Might you be taking anticholinergic drugs without realizing it?
Although fish oil has a reputation for soothing dry eyes, a recent randomized controlled trial found that placebo capsules of olive oil worked just as well.
Coffee drinkers are less likely to develop dementia, but not everyone can drink it. Is decaf coffee just as good?
Antipsychotic medications are a mixed bag. They don't cure dementia. They are overprescribed. But sometimes they may be helpful for dealing with dementia.
Would you like to live into your 90s in good health? What are the key ingredients to successful aging? Could alcohol and coffee improve longevity?
A little alcohol may help you live longer but will too much alcohol lead to brain damage and dementia? French researchers say yes!
Too many nursing home residents are being given highly sedating antipsychotic drugs, even though these medicines may hasten death in people with dementia.
Older people with mild memory problems improved their cognitive ability by taking curcumin every day for a year and a half.
Comprehensive reviews of research find no single intervention works for preventing dementia. Combining physical and mental training with diet might help.
One study of an older cohort found that people who eat a serving of leafy greens every day have much slower cognitive decline over the years.
Is the medical profession ready when baby boomers retire? No! A tidal wave is coming and modern medicine is not ready. How can you protect yourself?
Add spices to your ideal smoothie for pain relief and extra brain support.
If you are not sleeping as much as you need to, your health could suffer. That's why you should tell your doctor, and look for nondrug approaches to overcome insomnia.
The right amount of magnesium may help prevent dementia–not too much, not too little. Try to eat lots of green leafy vegetables, legumes and nuts.
Older people who spent less time in dream sleep were more likely to be diagnosed later with dementia.
Elderly people with highly variable blood pressure measurements at home were twice as likely to develop dementia as those with more stable blood pressure.
Older people may be less efficient at absorbing vitamin B12. A vitamin deficiency could cause cognitive difficulties that go away with supplementation.
Of course you have heard of the Mediterranean diet. We'll bet you haven't heard of the Nordic diet. It appears to be good for the brain and anticancer too.
Do you know someone with Alzheimer's disease? Can anything be done to reverse the terrible toll on caregivers? Medicaid cutbacks could be disastrous.
Drinking a daily diet soda triples the risk for stroke or dementia. Would you like a glass of water instead of a soft drink?
An Australian meta-analysis finds that people over 50 who exercise regularly do better on cognitive tests: aerobic, weight-lifting & tai chi all work.
Older volunteers who exercised after drinking beet juice first increased their brain neuroplasticity and strengthened their neural connections.
Researchers found that neither selenium nor vitamin E could prevent dementia among older men.
Medications with strong anticholinergic activity like amitriptyline, atropine and scopolamine have been linked to cognitive decline or even dementia.
In a long-term study, people who felt dizzy due to a drop in blood pressure upon standing up were more likely to develop dementia.
The link between blood pressure and dementia changes with age. Hypertension in midlife increases the risk of cognitive decline, but older people do better with high blood pressure.
Older adults who usually sleep more than nine hours nightly appear to be at a greater risk for dementia in the next decade.
Finnish men who frequented a sauna several times a week for several decades were significantly less likely to develop dementia.
Have you ever had a sauna bath? You might be surprised to learn that sitting naked in a hot room and sweating might be good for your heart and your brain.
Dementia is horrific. Most people would do almost anything to avoid this memory-robbing condition. Could very old people benefit from higher blood pressure?
Does surgical anesthesia scramble neurons? Some people, especially older adults, seem especially prone to POCD (post operative cognitive dysfunction).
Can regular consumption of cocoa flavanols improve your memory? Several studies suggest that it might, while one reader offers a testimonial.
Millions of Americans worry about memory loss. They never think to link an OTC drug they take to get to sleep as contributing to brain fog. Is it a risk?
If we lower blood pressure in older people will it help the brain? That was the question of a big study. Did the results live up to expectations? Find out!
In a pilot study, people who ate a cup of live-culture yogurt every day instead of drinking plain milk did better on cognitive tests instead of worse.
An elderly woman treated with the antibiotic levofloxacin had temporary improvement in her dementia symptoms. No one knows why.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme taste great and are good for you. Scientists are rediscovering the healing power of many culinary herbs and spices.
How would you know if your memory problems are related to the anticholinergic activity of medications you are taking? Find out which drugs are risky.
A Chinese study show cognitive decline is worse in those with too little vitamin D, so anyone who wants to stay sharp needs vitamin D.
Ginkgo biloba is a Chinese herb with a reputation for fighting cognitive decline. This reader claims it is keeping his mind sharp. Is he right?
A meta-analysis of five controlled trials seems to indicate that acupuncture can help delay dementia. So can regular physical activity.
Computer brain training drills that improve speed of processing reduce the likelihood of developing dementia over 10 years by 48%.
Many doctors think the idea of medical marijuana is an oxymoron. How could a drug of abuse be beneficial? Surprisingly, the research suggests it could be.
Many health professionals may assume that marijuana is bad for the brain. But new data suggest that marijuana and Alzheimer's disease might be beneficial.
Research in JAMA Neurology this week noted a link between popular drugs and Alzheimer's disease. What other kinds of medications may also raise this risk?
Are you taking a medicine that could affect your memory? New research confirms that anticholinergic drugs have negative impacts on the brain.
Beverages rich in polyphenols such as grape juice, cocoa or high-flavanone orange juice appear to improve cognitive function.
Whether taken to treat or prevent diabetes, or for another purpose, metformin users should have vitamin B12 levels monitored regularly.
We've long heard that fish is brain food. A new meta-analysis shows that seafood lovers are less prone to dementia and cognitive decline.
A German study suggests a link between long-term use of a heartburn pill like omeprazole and dementia. How serious is the risk?
If a bigger brain is a better brain then you will want to seriously consider adopting a Mediterranean Diet. But what does that mean? Learn the details!
Observational studies have suggested that omega-3 fats can help protect the brain, but in this trial fish oil failed to improve tests of cognitive function.
Common medications, both OTC and prescription can contribute to memory problems and confusion. Is someone you love taking an anticholinergic drug?
People with lower than normal weight for height appear more likely to experience cognitive difficulties as they grow older. Normal weight may be best.
Lowering blood pressure aggressively with medication puts some older people at risk for dementia.
Cognitive dysfunction may have an unexpected cause: celiac disease may mimic Alzheimer's. Following a gluten-free diet can help restore the brain.