In a new Instagram video for Big Think, Harvard-trained neuroscientist and bestselling author Lisa Genova revealed that lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease as effectively as any pill. Genova, who holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Harvard University, stated that for 98% of people, Alzheimer's is not inevitable.
No Pill Can Replace Lifestyle
According to Genova, people frequently ask her about pills or supplements to prevent Alzheimer's. She explained that no such pill exists, but lifestyle factors—sleep, diet, exercise, stress management, and learning new things—"work as well as any pill that we might develop." She emphasized that understanding why these factors work can help people implement them.
Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease
The NHS outlines several risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, including age, a family history of the condition, untreated depression, and lifestyle factors linked to cardiovascular disease. Specifically, smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol increase risk. The NHS notes that Alzheimer's is a progressive condition with symptoms that develop gradually over many years.
Protective Lifestyle Factors
The NHS advises that people can reduce their risk by stopping smoking, eating a healthy balanced diet, staying physically and mentally active, losing weight if necessary, drinking less alcohol, and having regular health checks. Additional research suggests that addressing hearing loss, loneliness, and a sedentary lifestyle may also be beneficial, though these factors are not proven to be directly responsible.
Expert's Practical Advice
Genova concluded that while lifestyle changes may not seem "sexy," they are effective. She urged people to incorporate these habits into their daily lives, noting that they offer a powerful, drug-free approach to brain health.
