{"id":29453,"date":"2025-09-16T19:12:01","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T19:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=29453"},"modified":"2025-09-16T19:12:02","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T19:12:02","slug":"simple-lifestyle-changes-can-improve-cognitive-decline-new-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/simple-lifestyle-changes-can-improve-cognitive-decline-new-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Improve Cognitive Decline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">Researchers from Florida Atlantic University&#8217;s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine underscore how lifestyle interventions can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline, offering a hopeful path forward in the fight against Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the prevalence of Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD) continues to rise, researchers from Florida Atlantic University\u2019s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine are shedding light on how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk of cognitive decline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their findings, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clinicalkey.com\/#!\/content\/playContent\/1-s2.0-S0002934325005765\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in The American Journal of Medicine, advocate for proactive strategies to fight this growing public health crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With an estimated 7.2 million Americans over age 65 currently living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease \u2014 a number projected to nearly double to 13.8 million by 2060 \u2014 addressing cognitive decline is becoming increasingly urgent. Notably, up to 45% of dementia risk can be linked to modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhile deaths from cardiovascular disease have declined since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer\u2019s disease have surged by more than 140%,\u201d co-author Charles H. Hennekens, the First Sir Richard Doll Professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine and senior academic advisor in the Schmidt College of Medicine, said in a news release. \u201cAt the same time, it is estimated that up to 45% of dementia risk could be attributed to modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The research team emphasizes that interventions in lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, diet and social engagement, can yield significant benefits. Echoing results from the groundbreaking POINTER study, which showed that structured, team-based lifestyle interventions could enhance cognitive functions, this commentary provides a blueprint for clinical, public health and policy integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These interventions focus on manageable changes: increased physical activity, adherence to Mediterranean and DASH diets, cognitive and social engagement, and professional support. Participants in the POINTER trial exhibited statistically significant improvements in memory, attention and decision-making over two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The promising outcomes align with those of the Finnish FINGER trial, which also demonstrated cognitive benefits from multidomain lifestyle approaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe data from both these landmark, large-scale randomized trials demonstrate that lifestyle changes \u2014 previously shown to reduce heart disease and cancer \u2014 also hold transformative potential for brain health,\u201d Hennekens added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Biologically, physical activity can enhance brain health by promoting hippocampal growth, improving blood flow and reducing inflammation. Furthermore, healthy diets can lower oxidative stress and enhance insulin sensitivity, preserving brain structure integrity and boosting mental resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The researchers also discussed possible biological mechanisms behind these benefits. For instance, physical activity can enhance brain health by promoting hippocampal growth, improving blood flow and reducing inflammation. Healthy diets  \u2014 such as the Mediterranean and DASH diets \u2014 can decrease oxidative stress, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking may help maintain brain structure and protect white matter integrity. Additionally, regular social and cognitive engagement supports neuroplasticity and strengthens mental resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe implications for clinical practice, public health and government policy are potentially enormous,\u201d added co-author Parvathi Perumareddi, an associate professor of family medicine in the Schmidt College of Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The researchers propose that clinicians, public health officials and policymakers should leverage these findings to adopt cost-effective, low-risk strategies for preventing dementia and cognitive decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The economic implications are also noteworthy, considering the enormously high costs of caregiving and new pharmacologic treatments. Reducing key lifestyle risk factors even marginally each decade could significantly lower the overall burden of cognitive decline. In 2024 alone, nearly 12 million family members and unpaid caregivers logged an estimated 19.2 billion hours of care, equivalent to a societal cost exceeding $413 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With tangible community-based solutions potentially easing the long-term burden on families and the economy, Hennekens concluded by emphasizing the importance of these lifestyle interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhile more research is needed, the current totality of evidence supports a clear path forward: invest in lifestyle-based strategies to protect brain health,\u201d Hennekens added. \u201cDoing so will not only benefit individuals at risk but also serve as a powerful tool for reducing national and global healthcare burdens related to cognitive decline.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:17px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fau.edu\/newsdesk\/articles\/healthy-habits-cognitive-decline.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Florida Atlantic University<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the prevalence of Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD) continues to rise, researchers from Florida Atlantic University\u2019s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine are shedding light on how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Their findings, published in The American Journal of Medicine, advocate for proactive strategies to fight this growing public [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[58],"class_list":["post-29453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health","tag-florida-atlantic-university"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"As the prevalence of Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD) continues to rise, researchers from Florida Atlantic University\u2019s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine are shedding light on how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Their findings, published in The American Journal of Medicine, advocate for proactive strategies to fight this growing public&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29453"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29453\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29479,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29453\/revisions\/29479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29453"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}