Is Dementia Preventable?

The short answer is that we don’t know the answer to is dementia preventable. The longer answer is that I have every reason to believe that those non-conventional therapies that support every other organ in my body can also help my brain.

Full disclosure- I am a cancer survivor who underwent aggressive cancer therapies in ’94,’95 and ’96. One of my long-term side effects is chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction aka chemo brain.

Though chemo brain and dementia are not strictly the same health issue, I believe they are similar enough to draw comparisons.

Years of living with chemo brain introduced me to life with compromised brain function. Though my brain function is much better, I have learned that I will work hard to determine “is dementia preventable?”

I pursue six of the therapies listed below and hope to add most of the remaining seven brain health therapies.

What therapies have been shown to enhance brain health?

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Benefits: Improves cognitive function, emotional regulation, and resilience against stress and depression. CBT has also been shown to reduce the risk of dementia.

2. Exercise

Benefits: Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, enhances brain health by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons). Exercise has been linked to improved memory, attention, and cognitive function.

3. Mindfulness Meditation

Benefits: Mindfulness practices, including meditation, can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and increase grey matter density in brain regions associated with memory, learning, and emotional control.

4. Nutrition

Benefits: Diets rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins (like the Mediterranean diet) are associated with better brain health. These nutrients support neuroplasticity, reduce oxidative stress, and protect against neurodegenerative diseases.

5. Cognitive Training

Benefits: Engaging in activities that challenge the brain, such as puzzles, learning new skills, or memory exercises, can improve cognitive function and delay cognitive decline. This can include activities like playing musical instruments, learning new languages, or engaging in strategic games.

6. Social Engagement

Benefits: Maintaining strong social connections and participating in social activities have been shown to enhance cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

7. Sleep

Benefits: Adequate, high-quality sleep is crucial for brain health. Sleep allows for memory consolidation, toxin removal from the brain, and overall cognitive function.

8. Neurofeedback

Benefits: Neurofeedback involves training the brain to regulate its activity. This therapy has shown promise in improving attention, reducing anxiety, and enhancing cognitive function.

9. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Benefits: TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It has been used to treat depression and may also improve cognitive function and memory.

10. Music Therapy

Benefits: Engaging in music therapy or simply listening to music can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance cognitive function. Music therapy is particularly beneficial for patients with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

11. Exposure to Nature

Benefits: Spending time in natural environments has been linked to improved mental health, reduced stress, and enhanced cognitive function.

12. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation

Benefits: Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are important for brain health. Supplementation has been associated with improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of cognitive decline. (ed. note- I supplement with nootropic supplementation- I have noticed a significant difference in my memory, word recall, facial recognition, etc.)

13. Intermittent Fasting

Benefits: Intermittent fasting has been suggested to enhance brain health by promoting neurogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, and improving brain function.

man hand holding his nutritional supplemets, healthy lifestyle background.

Brain games and nutritional supplementation are the two therapies that I believe have the most dramatic affect on my day to day brain health.

When I say nutritional supplementation, I am referring to the long-term benefits of omega-3 fatty acids as well as the short term benefits of specific nootropics.

Is dementia preventable? I can’t answer this question honestly for another decade or two. However I am pursuing evidence-based therapies daily in an effort to answer the question.

Email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com if you have any questions about brain health, dementia, etc.

Thank you,

David Emerson

Cancer Survivor
Cancer Coach
Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission

“Evidence is increasing and is now stronger than before that tackling the many risk factors for dementia that we modelled previously (ie, less education, hearing loss, hypertension, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption [ie, >21 UK units, equivalent to >12 US units], traumatic brain injury [TBI], air pollution, and social isolation) reduces the risk of developing dementia…

Dementia Deemed Highly Preventable: Here’s How

“Two of these risk factors are new since the previous report in 2020: elevated LDL cholesterol and untreated vision loss, both of which are quite treatable. Overall, these findings suggest that a lot can be done to lower dementia risk, but it requires individual behavior modifications as well as a comprehensive approach with involvement of the healthcare system for improved screening, access, and public policy to reduce air pollution…

Brain Exercises and Dementia

“Can you help your brain stay healthy as you age by doing things that challenge your mind? Could that also help you avoid memory loss, or even prevent or delay dementia such as Alzheimer’s?

Scientists need to do more research to find out for sure. But a number of studies show there are benefits to staying mentally active.

Here’s what we know about the impact of exercising your brain.

Can brain exercises help delay memory loss or dementia?

Is dementia preventable? When people keep their minds active, their thinking skills are less likely to decline, medical research shows. So games, puzzles, and other types of brain training may help slow memory loss and other mental problems.

One study involved more than 2,800 adults 65 and older. They went to up to 10 hour-long brain-training sessions for 5 to 6 weeks. The sessions focused on tactics for these skills:

Memory
Reasoning
Speed of processing information

People who took the training showed improvement in these skills that lasted for at least 5 years. They also improved at everyday tasks, such as the ability to manage money and do housework…”

Diagnosed with Cancer? Your two greatest challenges are understanding cancer and understanding possible side effects from chemo and radiation. Knowledge is Power!