What do you do for yourself to prevent dementia?

[Anonymous]

I've been reading on and off about preventing dementia for a while. At first, I only heard about improving one's diet.

This year, I learned from the NYT that walking 4-7K steps a day helps. Harvard reported 3-7K steps helps slow dementia.

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/walking-3000-5000-steps-a-day-may-delay-alzheimers/

More recently, I learned that sleep is important to prevent the plaques.

I walk often but not every day.

What, if anything, do you do?

[Anonymous]

The human brain is made of cholesterol. I believe a diet rich in red meat and good fats is key. And never take a statin drug.

[Anonymous]

play mahjong!

[Anonymous]

Not developing diabetes is the most important thing. So yes, diet plays a huge role.

[Anonymous]

Most days, I eat four whole peppercorns, I got these from Burlap and Barrel with the idea that they'll be fresher and so more medicinal. Supposedly, black pepper is a wonder for brain health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The human brain is made of cholesterol. I believe a diet rich in red meat and good fats is key. And never take a statin drug.

cholesterol is horrible for your arteries.

[Anonymous]

Alzheimers runs in my husband's family. Father and aunt both developed it in their 80s. Hope they develop better treatments because the drugs don't do much. On my side, dementia was caused by strokes so I am taking a statin and keeping up with my carotid and heart scans.

[Anonymous]

Learn french
Learn the violin
Shingles vax
Hearing tests
Exercise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alzheimers runs in my husband's family. Father and aunt both developed it in their 80s. Hope they develop better treatments because the drugs don't do much. On my side, dementia was caused by strokes so I am taking a statin and keeping up with my carotid and heart scans.

I thought 80 was considered a good run for age-related mental faculties to slip? Is the new standard to be sharp as a tack until the day we drop dead 90+ I did not know

[Anonymous]

The shingles vaccine has been shown to prevent dementia, which is a great perk, https://www.idsociety.org/news--publications-new/articles/2025/shingles-vaccine-lowers-risk-of-dementia-major-cardiovascular-events/

I walk at least 45 minutes a day and follow the MIND diet to some extent, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mind-diet#what-it-is

I’m 65 and hoping for the best but know it’s somewhat out of my control.

[Anonymous]

Avoid risky behaviors...wear bike helmets et al.

A recent study believes that the period of say 1950 - 1990 has been the worst for behavior resulting in head injuries during youth that contributes to dementia. Bike helmets weren't prevalent...kids got concussions playing sports and then just sent right back onto the field...etc.

[Anonymous]

15 minutes of language a day on duo lingo
Read a lot, fiction and non-fiction
Tennis and ballroom dance classes
Nightly yoga/meditation to reduce stress and promote better sleep

[Anonymous]

try to exercise 5x/week.
eat balanced diet with lower inflammation foods
get adequate sleep.

What I dont do: stop drinking, but I really should.

[Anonymous]

Yep, trying to lower my naturally high cholesterol over here. I do the brain exercises, the body exercises, the stress relief. I am getting all my vaccines.

[Anonymous]

Crossword puzzle every day. 150 minutes of brisk walking plus 2-3 strength training sessions each week. Maintain my friendships. Eat a healthy diet (with occasional indulgences.). Don’t sweat the small stuff.