Wellness While Walking

288. Lifestyle Medicine Success Story: The Steps Judy Benjamin Took to Reverse Cognitive Decline (and to Power Her Cross-America Walk)

Jul 9, 2025
Judy Benjamin, PhD and coach, transformed her life by reversing an Alzheimer's diagnosis and is now walking across America to raise awareness. She shares her powerful journey of optimizing sleep, eliminating toxins, and overhauling nutrition. Discover her choice to make major lifestyle changes all at once, rather than gradually, and the specific tactics that cleared her mind. Judy discusses the impact of sugar on cognitive health and the importance of stress reduction techniques, offering hope and practical advice for better brain health at any age.
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ANECDOTE

Judy's Radical Lifestyle Overhaul

  • Judy Benjamin radically changed her sleep environment, diet, and addressed mold exposure to reverse cognitive decline.
  • She stopped eating wheat and heavy dairy, eliminated Diet Coke, and improved her sleep hygiene rigorously.
ADVICE

Track and Improve Sleep Quality

  • Use a wearable like an Oura ring to track actual sleep quality including deep and REM sleep.
  • Aim for at least seven hours of quality sleep to enable brain cleansing and cognitive recovery.
ADVICE

Stress Reduction Protects Memory

  • Regular meditation, yoga, or other relaxation practices reduce stress and protect memory formation.
  • Create quiet moments to calm your mind and balance the nervous system.
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