A new study from the UCLA Longevity Center has demonstrated that a two-week programme combining physical exercise, memory training, healthy diet and relaxation can significantly boost memory and brain efficiency. The research, published in a new book, highlights how lifestyle changes can yield rapid cognitive benefits.
The study followed a 46-year-old woman named Sharon, who reported increasing forgetfulness and difficulty focusing. After two weeks on the programme, her memory test scores improved markedly, and MRI scans showed her brain had become more efficient, requiring less neural activity to recall words.
Researchers also analysed data from more than 18,000 people aged 18 to 99, finding that those who engaged in three healthy behaviours—such as physical exercise, a healthy diet and not smoking—were 75% less likely to report memory problems. Even one healthy behaviour reduced the likelihood by 21%.
The findings suggest that combining multiple healthy habits has synergistic benefits for brain health, similar to their effects on diabetes and heart disease risk. The programme's authors encourage readers to assess their baseline memory and adopt the strategies for long-term cognitive wellbeing.
