Aug 1, 2025: Lifestyle matters for brain health

We determine our brain health. We might see a doctor a few times a year, maybe for an annual check up and then for some specialist guidance; especially as we age.

But the keeper of our brain health is us. What we do every day makes the biggest difference and the only person who determines what’s on the end of our fork is us.

Get liberal with the olive oil. Olive oil is mainly a monounsaturated fat, full of anti-inflammatory omega 3s. Sprinkle liberally straight onto salads and add to salad dressings. It’s also got vitamins E and K.

ow! Lifestyle matters. This week saw the biggest global Alzheimer’s conference held in Toronto, and the data making a splash was that lifestyle really matters in terms of brain health.

The US POINTER study of over 2,000 older adults at risk for memory loss found that four lifestyle changes made a significant difference in cognition.

Physical exercise: 30 minutes, four times a week, plus strength exercises twice a week. Brain training: computer-based training three times a week for 30 minutes. Nutrition: particularly sticking to the MIND diet, which is big on leafy greens, berries, olive oil and fish. And tracking health data regularly, like blood pressure and weight.

You can read the results through the conference hosts, the Alzheimer’s Association.

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