2 Minute Monday

Hi Reader, I spent last week calling all of the local memory care centers around me to create seminars for their resident family members. I am hoping to go in and give a free lesson on how to take care of themselves after spending so much time taking care of someone else.

I found that many of them didn't have any set caregiver support groups, which surprised me. Maybe that is something I can help each place set up, because I do think that is an important piece of the puzzle - taking care of the caregiver as well. We will see how it all shakes out 😊

The 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care now lists 14 modifiable risk factors. These are also just the ones that have extensive evidence on (studies, trials, analysis - the science can't "publish" something definitive without the data). If you really look at what are likely alllll the modifiable risk factors it comes up closer to 30!

In a recent publication by Max Lugavere (really one of the people that got me into brain health) he states:
​"This estimate is likely conservative, as it does not account for several emerging and biologically plausible contributors to cognitive decline. These include micronutrient deficiencies (for example, inadequate intake of B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and carotenoids) and the widespread use of anticholinergic medications, which have been linked in cohort studies to greater dementia risk.² Including these additional, modifiable factors would almost certainly raise the proportion of preventable cases."

You can read the full length publication here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13252899/​

This type of conversation, especially published is exactly what we need to be having for the sake of prevention and for what I feel is the only way to truly "beat" dementia and Alzheimer's.

When we look at brain health and prevention in this way, with a lifestyle first approach, then to genes, then to toxic burden, and then finally to therapeutics it will allow to put the entire body together instead of looking at each risk factor in a silo.

Vascular health, Glucose metabolism, mitochondria and oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity - all contribute to a healthy brain and all have historically been looked at separately.

Not anymore. Not when papers like this and new studies are coming out and that my friends - makes my heart (and brain) happy.

Dealing with a dementia diagnosis is very difficult. Of course for the person diagnosed, it is an unbearable burden to carry. For the caregiver, the spouse, the child it is a very difficult road as well, and as that person you love fades it seems harder and harder to cope through the adversity.

To find your footing and understand why this terrible disease has upended your life.

When we look for understanding it is a waste of time and can lead down a path that is even darker than where we already are.

I am a big philosophy guy, I love greek literature and stoic philosophy and I feel I have learned a lot of what I can apply to my situation with my mom from the stoics. One point of emphasis that has really helped me handle my moms diagnosis and stay grounded is this deeper conversation around "Perception" - and the objective vs subjective perception of events.

As I look at what hand my family has been dealt there are so many things I could tell myself that just aren't productive to life and I probably have done that before. I know I have! Thinking things such as:

"How could God let this happen"

"This isn't fair"

"No one gets it"

"My life is over" maybe for a spouse.

"I should juts give up if this is what the future has in store"

These are all of the subjective perception. Things that just aren't inherently true but feel like they are right, especially in the moment. Are any of them beneficial thoughts to have?

When on the opposite side we could be thinking about the objective of the situation. Things like:

"This disease is terrible, but I know I cannot let it consume me"

"What can I do right now that could make tomorrow easier?"

"I watched dementia take my mom away, but I can use that as fuel to help others."

"My life is so hard right now, but others may have it worse"

"This feels like it will go on forever, but I know it won't and I can still try and make the most out of the time I have when it is going ok."

These thoughts are not all encompassing for everyone in every situation of course. But no matter how hard your situation is, no matter how poorly it feels like it is going, no matter what you have been telling yourself, taking a positive objective approach will set your mind free.

It is hard though, when you are in the thick of a day taking care of someone who doesn't understand you or remember how to go to the bathroom on their own - it feels like too much. But to beat the disease... to hold our own soul and say that we are going to walk out of this fire eventually a stronger human... we have to continuously remind ourselves that there is a better way of thinking and it will set us free.

Because I know it has set me free even though I still have a lot of work to do.

Thanks for reading another edition of 2 Minute Monday. If you learned something - let me know!

If you are taking care of your brain health - good for you!

And if you need help, you know where to find me!

Much love and have a good week,

Tyler

Try my favorite brain health supplement for 20% off: Conserve​
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PS
My goal is to bring awareness and agency to you, to the world, about what is possible when preventing dementia and protecting your brain. I hope that shines through in all my content!