This Healthy Lifestyle Program Improved Brain Function by 55%

Stay Sharp: A new study funded by the Alzheimer’s Association may have identified a clearer way to keep our brains sharp as we age through four lifestyle interventions: diet, exercise, cognitive training, and social engagement. 

Researchers studied 1,065 older adults at greater risk of dementia at 12 sites across Latin America for two years. The participants were randomly placed in either a group that received a structured and monitored intervention program or a more flexible program of general lifestyle education and recommendations. The adults in the structured group experienced a 55% greater improvement overall cognition than those in the flexible group.

How to Do It: Support, accountability, and the incorporation of culturally specific lifestyle components were central to the program. Participants followed a modified MIND diet (a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets) with local foods. Exercise included group activities, like outdoor workouts and tango or salsa dancing. Computerized cognitive training was translated, with added assistance for less tech-savvy users. They attended group meetings to foster social connection and accountability. 

The Benefits: Living in a way that keeps your brain sharp doesn’t have to be complicated — the key may be finding practical ways to incorporate these lifestyle habits into your everyday life.