Cognitive Health & Neurodegenerative Disease

Patients often tell me they would like to live as long as they reasonably can, provided they do not suffer cognitive decline. More often than not, people care less about how long they live and more about how well they live, specifically as it pertains to their brain.

Anyone who has seen a relative suffer from a neurodegenerative disease – such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease – can no doubt relate to the debilitating nature of these conditions. Unlike heart disease and cancer, which kill directly, the fatal impact of neurodegenerative diseases is often indirect.

While much is still unknown, data suggest that there are indeed things that can be done to ward off one’s risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease. Aside from genetics, the next most common risk factor we see is vascular disease.

The adage “what’s good for the heart is good for the brain” rings true here. Meaning, the factors that increase your risk for atherosclerosis – such as high blood pressure, smoking, and elevated apoB – also increase the risk of dementia.

Below is a collection of past articles and podcasts exploring such tactics. My hope is that this content can serve as helpful resources to dive deeper into this topic as well as support your ongoing longevity journey.

Risks

Free Article

When zero doesn’t mean zero: the limits of coronary calcium in women

Medications & supplements

Free Article

Announcing a special episode on autism and acetaminophen

Risks

Free Article

Cautious optimism over lithium orotate as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease

Risks

Guest Episode

A new frontier in neurosurgery: restoring brain function with brain-computer interfaces, advancing glioblastoma care, and new hope for devastating brain diseases

Ep. #363 with Edward Chang, M.D.

Longevity

Guest Episode

How metabolic and immune system dysfunction drive the aging process, the role of NAD, promising interventions, aging clocks, and more

Ep. #359 with Eric Verdin, M.D.

Medications & supplements

Free Article

It’s time to remove warning labels on hormone replacement products

Medications & supplements

Free Article

A ketosis-inducing supplement shows preliminary promise for neuroprotection

Exercise

AMA

Preserving brain health, optimizing exercise programming, improving body composition, and more

Ep. #356 (AMA #73)

Risks

Free Article

IL-10 may underlie the link between diabetes and dementia — and presents a possible target for intervention

Sleep

Free Article

Increased REM sleep latency and Alzheimer’s disease: important risk factor or red herring?

Medications & supplements

Guest Episode

Women’s sexual health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Ep. #348 with Rachel Rubin, M.D.

Longevity

Podcast Episode

Aging well: Peter shares strategies for improving longevity with residents at a senior living center

Ep. #342

Risks

Free Article

My personal home edits for reducing microplastic exposure

Sleep

Free Article

A reminder on the importance of sleep for brain health

Longevity

AMA

Fasting, well-balanced diets, alcohol, exercise for busy people, wearables, emotional health, assessing cardiovascular health, and more

Ep. #336 (AMA #68)

Risks

Guest Episode

Cardiovascular disease, the number one killer: development, biomarkers, apoB, cholesterol, brain health, and more

Ep. #334 with Tom Dayspring, M.D.

Risks

Free Article

Precautions against increased fall risk associated with antihypertensive drugs

Longevity

AMA

Special AMA: Peter on exercise, important labs, building good habits, promising longevity research, and more

Ep. #329

Risks

Free Article

Shingles and Brain Health: An Emerging Link or Healthy User Bias?

Risks

Guest Episode

CRISPR and the future of gene editing

Ep. #323 with Feng Zhang

Exercise

Free Article

High-intensity interval training and cognitive function in older adults: promising but limited findings

Nutrition

AMA

Protein’s impact on appetite and weight management, and uric acid's link to disease and how to manage levels

Ep. #313 (AMA #62)

Longevity

Podcast Episode

Longevity 101

Ep. #311

Risks

Free Article

Don’t underestimate the importance of oral health