For a long time, dementia was seen as an inevitable part of aging or the result of poor genetics.
But according to new research:
More than 40% of dementia cases are easily preventable.
Here's what you can do to slow your cognitive decline:
But according to new research:
More than 40% of dementia cases are easily preventable.
Here's what you can do to slow your cognitive decline:
Dementia is a progressive brain disorder.
It gradually destroys:
- Memory
- Thinking skills
- The ability to perform simple tasks
To this day, it's not curable.
But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Thus, let's address the root cause:
It gradually destroys:
- Memory
- Thinking skills
- The ability to perform simple tasks
To this day, it's not curable.
But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Thus, let's address the root cause:
The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer's, is called the "Type 3 diabetes" due to insulin resistance in the brain.
This massively important link highlights how metabolic issues affect cognitive health.
But how exactly does insulin impact our brain function?
This massively important link highlights how metabolic issues affect cognitive health.
But how exactly does insulin impact our brain function?
Insulin helps cells absorb sugar for energy. With insulin resistance, cells don't respond properly, leaving sugar in the blood (instead of entering the cells).
To compensate, your body makes more insulin...
To compensate, your body makes more insulin...
High-carb and high-sugar diets, along with insulin spikes and high blood sugar, are detrimental to brain health.
The brain is sensitive to sugar, which can trigger dementia or Alzheimer's.
This is why Alzheimer's is called the diabetes of the brain.
The brain is sensitive to sugar, which can trigger dementia or Alzheimer's.
This is why Alzheimer's is called the diabetes of the brain.
Overconsumption of sugar and lack of fat leads to diabesity (obesity + type 2 diabetes).
Diabesity leads to inflammation. Inflammation leads to more insulin resistance and weight gain—which leads to more inflammation.
Eventually, this systemic inflammation affects the brain.
Diabesity leads to inflammation. Inflammation leads to more insulin resistance and weight gain—which leads to more inflammation.
Eventually, this systemic inflammation affects the brain.
Our brain and body are connected—what you eat directly impacts your brain.
Your brain has its own immune system called the glymphatic system. Eating an ultra-processed, high-carb diet causes systemic inflammation.
If your body is inflamed, your brain will be too.
Your brain has its own immune system called the glymphatic system. Eating an ultra-processed, high-carb diet causes systemic inflammation.
If your body is inflamed, your brain will be too.
American diet is 60% sugar and starch. An average person consumes 52 pounds of sugar and 133 of flour per year.
No wonder why 6.5 millions American's are affected.
Now, the question is—what can we do to prevent dementia?
No wonder why 6.5 millions American's are affected.
Now, the question is—what can we do to prevent dementia?
1) Start with nutrition overhaul.
The goal is to lower your blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and achieve metabolic health.
Get rid of:
- Alcohol
- Refined sugar
- Processed foods
- Vegetable and seed oils
Instead, start consuming whole, gut-friendly foods and healthy fats.
The goal is to lower your blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and achieve metabolic health.
Get rid of:
- Alcohol
- Refined sugar
- Processed foods
- Vegetable and seed oils
Instead, start consuming whole, gut-friendly foods and healthy fats.
2) Exercise. It induces BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which plays an important role in maintaining synaptic plasticity in learning and memory. Do both strength and cardio.
3) Aim for 7-9 hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep per night.
3) Aim for 7-9 hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep per night.
4) Practice brain & body exercises. Learning a new language, dancing or sport-driving are great ways to keep your body active and maintain coordination.
5) Don't retire. You need to keep your brain challenged. It will keep you sharp as you age. Retirement often ages you faster.
5) Don't retire. You need to keep your brain challenged. It will keep you sharp as you age. Retirement often ages you faster.
6) Learn tools to mitigate stress
You need to practice active relaxation to activate your parasympathetic nervous system to reduce systemic inflammation.
Some great options:
- Walk
- Hot and cold therapy
- Meditation or breathwork
And finally, supplements...
You need to practice active relaxation to activate your parasympathetic nervous system to reduce systemic inflammation.
Some great options:
- Walk
- Hot and cold therapy
- Meditation or breathwork
And finally, supplements...
None of the supplements will move the needle as much as the steps above.
But if you want to get into the nuance here, here are the best supplements to consume for dementia reversal:
- Vitamin D
- Probiotics
- B6, B12 vitamins
- Omega 3-fatty-acids
But if you want to get into the nuance here, here are the best supplements to consume for dementia reversal:
- Vitamin D
- Probiotics
- B6, B12 vitamins
- Omega 3-fatty-acids
When it comes to medications...
The new drug, Kisunla, seems promising.
It seems like a breakthrough medication for early-stage Alzheimer's, as it targets and slows symptoms like memory loss and cognitive decline.
The future of the drug is promising.
The new drug, Kisunla, seems promising.
It seems like a breakthrough medication for early-stage Alzheimer's, as it targets and slows symptoms like memory loss and cognitive decline.
The future of the drug is promising.
Anyone who's seen a loved one suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's disease understands the debilitating nature of these diseases.
Today, it seems like you can can't completely prevent dementia.
But you can certainly slow it down by following the steps above.
Today, it seems like you can can't completely prevent dementia.
But you can certainly slow it down by following the steps above.
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Follow me @seanpk for more threads on entrepreneurship, investing and human performance.
Follow me @seanpk for more threads on entrepreneurship, investing and human performance.
A bit about me:
20 years ago, I was a broke biomedical engineering college student trying to get my first biz off the ground.
Since then, I’ve grown six 7-figure businesses, three 8-figure businesses & raised $50M+ in VC.
I'm also a General Partner at The Family Fund.
20 years ago, I was a broke biomedical engineering college student trying to get my first biz off the ground.
Since then, I’ve grown six 7-figure businesses, three 8-figure businesses & raised $50M+ in VC.
I'm also a General Partner at The Family Fund.
And I do all of this while prioritizing my health, traveling for fun every month & not grinding 247.
I go deeper into everything I’ve learned about building businesses, investing & founder performance in my newsletter.
Join thousands of founders here: get.founderiv.com
I go deeper into everything I’ve learned about building businesses, investing & founder performance in my newsletter.
Join thousands of founders here: get.founderiv.com
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