ZOE Science & Nutrition

Why 90% of Alzheimer's cases are preventable | Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai

Jan 30, 2025

Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai, neurologists and co-directors of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program, discuss the staggering rise of dementia and its preventable aspects. They emphasize the critical role of lifestyle choices over genetics in maintaining brain health. Listeners learn about five key lifestyle changes to combat Alzheimer's risk, including dietary adjustments that can cut risk by 53%. The Sherzais also reveal insights on building cognitive resilience through exercise, stress management, and the importance of restorative sleep.

01:05:49

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Episode guests

Dean Sherzai

Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai

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Quick takeaways

Lifestyle choices significantly influence brain health, with 90% of Alzheimer's cases being preventable through dietary, exercise, and stress management changes.

Adopting a whole food, plant-based diet is crucial for reducing Alzheimer's risk, emphasizing the detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods.

Regular physical activity enhances cognitive function and resilience, particularly through exercises that stimulate large muscle groups and promote brain growth.

Deep dives

The Growing Concern of Dementia

Dementia is becoming an increasingly urgent health issue, with someone developing the condition every three seconds. The number of dementia cases is projected to double every 20 years, posing significant challenges not only for individuals but also for health care systems globally. While many may perceive dementia as an inevitable aspect of aging or genetics, research indicates that a large portion of cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes. The ongoing rise in new dementia cases underscores the need for effective strategies to mitigate this impending crisis.

Intro

2min

Understanding Alzheimer's: Misconceptions and Prevention

13min

Understanding Alzheimer's Disease: Prevention and Demographic Insights

4min

Building Cognitive Resilience

28min

The Critical Role of Leg Strength in Health and Longevity

2min

The Impact of Stress on Brain Health

5min

The Importance of Restorative Sleep

5min

Building Brain Resilience: A Holistic Approach to Alzheimer's Prevention

5min

Dementia is one of the fastest-growing health crises in the developed world, with cases expected to double in the coming decades. But despite common misconceptions, cognitive decline isn’t inevitable. The latest research shows that lifestyle choices play a far greater role in brain health than genetics alone.

In this episode, neurologists Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai share practical, science-backed strategies to help you protect your brain and reduce your risk of dementia.

As co-directors of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program at Loma Linda University, they’ve spent their careers studying how habits like diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management influence long-term cognitive health.

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Timecodes

00:00 Meet the brain doctors fighting dementia

01:04 Parents have dementia – are you doomed?

02:00 Can dementia be reversed?

02:25 Five lifestyle changes to prevent Alzheimer’s

06:07 What is dementia vs. Alzheimer’s?

08:50 Are your genes to blame?

12:49 Dementia starts 20+ years before diagnosis