Pinkies up for brain health! A TikTok demonstrating “pinky time” has gone viral with the promise that this simple daily digit exercise can stave off cognitive decline. In the clip, creator Daniela Paez-Pumar films herself and friends as they wrap their middle and pointer fingers together, touch their ring fingers to their thumbs and move … Read more
A glimpse into the future may already be flowing through our veins. In a major breakthrough, researchers have developed a simple blood test that may one day help doctors predict how fast early-onset dementia will progress. “[It] can give us a window into how aggressively the disease is likely to behave — and that’s information … Read more
It’s well-known that ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) are not good for overall health — but new research has uncovered further evidence that this diet could negatively impact the brain. The study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia by the Alzheimer’s Association, revealed that UPFs are linked to more than 30 adverse health outcomes, including several dementia risk … Read more
Boy, is it tough to get men to go to the doctor. Research shows that most men would rather do just about anything else. This is a major problem because everyone needs regular check-ups and preventive screenings to address silent conditions and improve long-term health outcomes. Let’s keep it simple — here are the two … Read more
It’s time to iron out the details of your brain health. New findings show that a condition that affects 10% of US adults over 65 is likely increasing their risk of dementia by more than half. The good news, though, is that the condition is mostly treatable. A significant percentage of adults over 65 are … Read more
We’ve long been told that vegetarianism can improve heart health, nutrient intake and digestion while lowering the risk of chronic disease and certain cancers — but some plant-based diets may do more harm than good. Case in point: A new study in the scientific journal Neurology finds that high-quality, vitamin-rich plant-based diets go a long … Read more
Taking care of your health never gets old. As we age, it’s important to maintain healthy habits — including proper nutrition, regular exercise and quality sleep — and to follow recommended preventive care, such as cancer screenings and vaccines. Keeping it simple, here are the two key things women should do each decade to stay … Read more
We’ve been told that many things increase our risk of dementia — genetics, too much alcohol, not enough exercise, improper nutrition, high blood pressure, the risks go on and on. Neuroscientist Vivienne Ming wants to add one more item to the list — artificial intelligence. Scientists have already sounded the alarm that US dementia cases could … Read more
An estimated 42% of Americans over the age of 55 are expected to develop dementia at some point, but there’s a bright side to that dark statistic. Researchers from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health are adding to growing evidence that one particular personality trait can lower the risk of dementia — … Read more
AGE before beauty. The latest hyperfixation among longevity experts appears to be Advanced Glycation End products (conveniently abbreviated as AGEs), the result of a chemical reaction between proteins and sugars. Just as a chef caramelizes onions in a pan, new science shows that sugars are “caramelizing” our insides, prematurely aging us and potentially contributing to … Read more
This might make you think twice about skipping your annual shot. A new study suggests older Americans who get a high-dose version of a common vaccine may face a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia than those who stick with the standard jab. The protective effect appears strongest in women — who are about twice … Read more
The future just got brighter, thanks to the sunshine vitamin. Scientists in Ireland have added to a growing stack of research on the relationship between vitamin D levels in the blood and a possible lower risk of dementia. A 16-year study found that higher vitamin D intake during middle age could have something to do … Read more
Talk about a brain drain. Several diets have been shown to have brain-boosting effects, from the Mediterranean diet’s gut-brain connection to reduced blood pressure effects from the DASH diet. But one health food staple surprised researchers by being linked to faster cognitive decline, even despite being part of a popular and well-backed healthy diet. One … Read more
Couch potatoes, rejoice: lounging around might not be so bad — at least for your brain. While exercise is known to help lower dementia risk, new research suggests that even a small change in how you spend your time sitting could also make a difference. That’s welcome news for Americans, who spend an average of … Read more
Dementia is anything but fast — in fact, it’s often described as the “long goodbye.” Over 6 million Americans have the profoundly slow disease, which tends to take years, or even decades, to unfold. The largely irreversible condition gradually erodes personality, cognitive abilities and physical mobility. The good news is that there are lifestyle changes … Read more
A mom has told how she thought she had early-onset dementia — but it turned out to be brain cancer. Tracy Kehoe, 57, found herself forgetting she had already completed tasks or conversations, as well as repeating herself, in the spring of 2025. The concerned mom-of-two, from Salford, Greater Manchester, decided to visit the doctors, … Read more
Kitchen aid? A new study out of Japan found that older adults who practice a key mealtime habit might lower their risk of dementia by anywhere from 30 to almost 70%. In fact, if they’re beginners with low skills, the benefit is even greater. The World Health Organization estimated that in 2021, there were 57 … Read more
A steak a day may keep the forgetfulness away. New research suggests that a meat-heavy diet may help ward off dementia, but don’t go switching to the carnivore diet just yet — this protein-packed advice is only for a select group of people with a genetic risk factor tied to Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists say the … Read more
Talk about a powerhouse food. Like anything within its radius, food can also be susceptible to the effects of nuclear contamination, even decades after an event. But one food may actually protect against the effects of radiation from an atomic bomb, according to research and stories from those in Nagasaki. One common Japanese food may … Read more
Scientists have long searched for ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Chief among these strategies has been targeting amyloid beta, a toxic protein that forms plaque-like deposits when it accumulates abnormally in the brain. This accumulation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Now, scientists say a smaller peptide, a “cousin” of amyloid beta, … Read more