These 5 lifestyle changes improved brain function for those with early Alzheimer’s

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Nearly 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s—the most common type of dementia—and while drug treatments for the condition are in the approval process, people are eager to find ways to take control of their brain health. A new study suggests that a combination of daily lifestyle habits can improve brain function for those who already show signs of Alzheimer’s disease impairing memory, thinking speed, and overall well-being.?

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The study, conducted by the journal Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, found that five months of eating a vegan, whole-foods diet, walking regularly, connecting with others, taking nutrient and mineral supplements, and adhering to a range of stress reduction practices improved cognitive function for older adults with early signs of Alzheimer’s in comparison to adults who did not change their habits.

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“I’m cautiously optimistic and very encouraged by these findings, which may empower many people with new hope and new choices,” said Dr. Dean Ornish, who led the study and is the founder and president of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute, in a press release. “We do not yet have a cure for Alzheimer’s, but we are now able to offer an improved quality of life to many people suffering from this terrible disease.”

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The habits implemented by the participants:?

• Diet: A vegan diet rich in complex carbohydrates and whole foods. Three meals a day, along with snacks, were shipped to participants and their spouses.
• Exercise: Participants adhered to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily, mainly walking. They also completed a guided mild strength training class three times a week.
• Stress reduction: Participants took hour–long guided classes on breathwork, meditation, yoga, and/or stretching daily.
• Connection: The participants and their spouses attended a one-hour group session with a mental health supervisor three times a week.?
• A dose of vitamins: Participants took supplements including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin B12, magnesium, and other minerals.?

Further research on prolonged lifestyle changes may prove beneficial in indicating the effectiveness of this combined approach, according to the researchers.?

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Read the full story by Alexa Mikhail here.

?? Aging Well Tip of the Week

Sorry, Netflix binge-watchers. Too much TV may be cutting your lifespan.

A study published in the journal JAMA Network examined two decades of data from the Nurses’ Health Study—over 45,000 women who were 50 years old or older in 1992. Researchers who analyzed results in 2022 concluded that an additional two hours of sitting and watching TV per day was associated with a 12% decrease in the chances of healthy aging.

In contrast, adding two hours of light physical activity at work per day was associated with a 6% increase in the chances of healthy aging.

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