Brain Health
According to research published in Cureus, neurocognitive improvement—or at least slowed decline—can be seen in people who follow the pillars of lifestyle medicine:
- Eating mostly plant-based foods
- Getting enough exercise
- Managing stress
- Avoiding risky substances (alcohol, opioids, cigarettes)
- Getting enough good sleep
- Having a social life
The study concluded, “Lifestyle changes have a significant impact on brain health. Our review showed that simple interventions in the six pillars of LM might prevent, delay, and improve neurocognitive impairment. This includes preventing and managing risk factors such as diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, sleep disorders, illicit drugs, and psychiatric factors. Therefore, we recommend that all primary care physicians provide education and resources about lifestyle changes to middle age and older adult populations with an increased risk of developing major neurocognitive disorders. The focus should always be on prevention as the primary treatment tool.”
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