I've Heard Of A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle; Is There A Brain-Healthy Approach To Living As Well?

May 4, 2009 -- Question: I've heard of a heart-healthy lifestyle; is there a brain-healthy approach to living as well?

Answer: So when we think of a heart-healthy lifestyle, we think about controlling our diet, controlling our weight, physical activity and monitoring our physical health for things like high blood pressure or diabetes or high cholesterol. Those things may also have a benefit on our thinking and our quality of life -- in some studies have suggested that they may reduce our risk of Alzheimer's disease.

In addition, we might think about things that are specific to brain health. We've always said that it's important to protect our brain by such things as improving our likelihood of education. And also simple things like using a seatbelt or wearing a helmet or being careful about falls so we don't have a head injury, which can also affect our risk of Alzheimer's disease.