Midi Health’s Post

Pssst, Gen Xers and older Millennials, got a sec? The years between 40 and 65 are kind of a big deal for your brain. A recent review published in Trends in Neurosciences found: * There are linear and non-linear brain changes in this window that may pave the way for your cognitive health as an older adult. * You're likely to experience pivotal life changes that can impact brain aging (caring for children or aging parents, retirement). * Your brain health is affected by the way your other systems age (especially your cardiovascular system). The authors, from University College Cork, raise some important questions to those in the field, noting that more research is needed to find out if interventions being tested in older adults could prevent cognitive decline if started in middle age. And it's also a rallying cry for those of us in midlife to consider how we want to grow older. In recent years, we’ve learned so much about how important modifiable risk factors are to longevity and cognition, and our 40s, 50s, and 60s are the perfect time to build healthier habits that will serve our brains well as we age. So today, on World Brain Day, let's review some of these best practices to protect thinking and memory! 🧠 Get blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels under control. 🧠 Ditch bad habits like smoking, drinking, and eating too much processed food. 🧠 Sort out your sleep (not too little, not too much), try different approaches to manage stress (find what works best for you), and make more time to connect with friends and loved ones (staying social is crucial). 🧠 Stay physically active. 🧠 Eat more plants (especially greens, berries, beans, and nuts), and pour on the EVOO. 🧠 Keep your mind challenged with stimulating work, hobbies you love, and learning new things. 🧠 Prioritize your hearing. Wear earplugs at concerts and other noisy environments, don't blast your AirPods, and get hearing aids if you need them. 🧠 Pay attention to emotional health. Seek help for depression and anxiety. 🧠 And, if you're in the menopause transition, talk to your doctor about ways to manage symptoms, or connect with clinicians at our partner Midi Health, who can give you Neurotrack’s screening to check on brain fog and help you manage it. More info in comments. #brainhealth #healthtech #genx #millennials

Since one of my favorite topics is the idea of "healthcare self-responsibility" (with each of us taking the "monitoring" our own health statistics seriously), I'm excited to review a recent article about how increasingly, consumers are doing just that. Join us this Tuesday from 6-7pm EDT in News for the Ages, from the Rethinking Aging Club! #longevityeconomy #careeconomy #agingwell

The #difference #between an #aging #brain and #dementia #Health #Alzheimersdisease #Dementia ------ https://lnkd.in/eq37UFxf ------ Forgetting small things such as dates, and events and difficulty in recalling old information can be a normal part of aging. But at what point does it go too far? Do you have to worry every time your memory seems to fail you? It's important to note that dementia is not part of the normal aging process and memory loss is not the only symptom of dementia, according to the National Institute on Aging. What does a #normal #aging #brain #look #like? As you age, your brain begins to shrink, especially the frontal lobe and hippocampus, according to the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. This shrinkage is attributed to some of the memory loss you may experience as you grow older. According to Medical News Today, some memory changes may include difficulty in learning new information, issues with multitasking, slower recall of names and numbers, and difficulty remembering appointments. Oftentimes, you may forget something temporarily but are able to recall it later. These are all a part of the normal aging brain. What may be just normal lapses in memory can cause aging adults to feel fearful that they may be experiencing dementia instead. So, what does memory loss caused by dementia look like? Memory loss caused by dementia often disrupts your daily life and you're unable to recall information. Dementia can cause difficulty in completing tasks, confusing time and place, changes in your personality or mood, social withdrawal, poor judgment, problems with having conversations, and difficulty in solving problems, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The #NationalInstitute on #Aging #recommends you #visit the #doctor if you #find #yourself: ▪︎ #Repeatedly #asking the #same #questions. ▪︎ #Getting #lost in #places you're #familiar with. ▪︎ #Finding it #hard to #follow #recipes or #directions. ▪︎ #Becoming #more #confused about #places, #people and #time. ▪︎ #Neglecting your #hygiene and #health. So, if once in a while, you find yourself forgetting something minor or recalling something slower, you don't have to worry. If your forgetfulness starts becoming more frequent and happening daily, that's when you should reach out to your health care provider for further guidance

A new group of articles coming your way! #longevityeconomy #careeconomy #agingwell

Facing the Facts: Change your 'beliefs' about aging. Live well, age well. Repeat. I've just read about the ground-breaking work of Professor Becca Levy, a leading expert on aging at the Yale School of Public Health. Her research has shown that our beliefs about aging have a powerful influence on how well or how poorly we age. Do you think of old age as a time to enjoy or something to dread? Levy visited Japan, which has some of the world's highest life expectancies. Previous research had attributed this to good genes and a healthy diet. However, what Levy found was that adults in their 30s and 40s who had "positive notions" about old age were more likely to be in good health decades later. I found this part of her research particularly astounding: she found that people who carried the ApoE4 gene, which increases the risk of Alzheimer's, were 47% less likely to develop dementia if they had an “upbeat view of aging”. This is compared to ApoE4 carriers who had “grim notions about aging”. The ripple effect is that if you BELIEVE you will age well, you'll be more likely to engage in self-care habits like healthy eating, regular exercise, and good sleep. Take action... Write on a post-it : “My choices TODAY will inform my brain and body TOMORROW … or sometime in the next few years.” Stick this on your bathroom mirror, and face the facts EVERY morning! Change our words to change our world.  Levy's research also shows that ageism, or discrimination against older adults, is a major contributor to negative age beliefs. Structural ageism is often found in the media, where older adults are portrayed in demeaning ways. Take action... Be aware of what you 'say' about the oldies, and where possible ‘influence’ what other people say! The last Take Action : Try Journaling Levy suggests strategies like "age belief journaling". By shifting our mindset about aging, we can unlock the power of positive age beliefs to support our health and longevity. It's time to embrace growing older as a time of wisdom, resilience, and continued growth. #EnjoyBeingOlderAndWiser #BeResilent #BounceForward

Anyone who has seen the effects of dementia or Alzheimer’s in their loved ones know it’s no laughing matter. The distance between ‘having a senior moment’ and serious brain health issues can be shorter than we think. But a family history isn’t a set-in-stone inevitability. There are clear makers and markers of declining brain health. If you assess them early and act, you can reduce your risk and maximise your life. At Autonomy, we help take your brain health down a different path, by addressing the health factors that are unique to you. We work closely with you to build a personalised, total health plan built around monitoring, medical treatment and habit coaching. Your brain is your sharpest tool — let’s keep it that way. www.autonomy.health #brainhealth #mentalhealth #dementia #alzheimers #autonomyhealth

People live longer than they used to, with life expectancy increasing by more than six years from 2000 to 2019. While that’s something to celebrate, healthy life expectancy isn’t keeping pace. That means that even though people are living longer lives, many are spending those extra years with disabilities and diseases that decrease their quality of life. Aging-related functional decline can have wide-ranging impacts, affecting physical and mental health and resulting in a loss of independence, a need for supportive care, and a rise in disability. The World Health Organization’s work on the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030 is one attempt to tackle these challenges. Describing itself as a global initiative to “add life to years,” the driving goal of the worldwide collaboration is “to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live.” Hebrew SeniorLife’s Harvard Medical School-affiliated Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research has responded to the Decade of Healthy Ageing with the Healthy Aging Initiative. The Healthy Aging Initiative is a longitudinal study leveraging the expertise of every scientist and research center at the Marcus Institute to empower older adults to stay healthier for longer. Learn more in our blog post, “How the Healthy Aging Initiative Can Empower You to Change Your Health Trajectory.” https://bit.ly/3yBZzpv

How Petr Sramek is Rewriting the Rules of Aging Defying Time In a narrative that challenges Warren Buffett's famous assertion that time is inescapable, Petr Sramek is demonstrating that, perhaps, time can be reclaimed. Through pioneering age rejuvenation efforts, Sramek has astonishingly rolled back his biological age by 16 years within just 18 months, achieving a 28% reduction from his already impressive baseline, thanks to the strategic approach developed by HealthyLongevity.clinic This remarkable feat not only shatters previous conceptions of aging but also sets a new world record, surpassing the achievements of predecessors in the field. Sramek's journey underscores a critical distinction between biological and chronological aging, suggesting a future where the quality of life in our years is prioritized, and we can live longer, healthier lives. Beyond personal accomplishment, Sramek's story is a beacon of hope, illustrating the potential for science-backed, personalized health strategies to extend not just our lifespan but also our healthspan. It's an invitation to envision a future where aging is not a decline but a new chapter of vitality and wellness, facilitated by the most exceptional care in cutting-edge health centers. Meet Petr Sramek and the team behind this revolutionary approach to longevity, and be part of a narrative that redefines the possibilities of health and aging. Dr Ana Baroni MD PhD MSc Erik Nelson Alison Levitt MD @Lauren Klein MPAS- PA Christopher J. American Heart Association #longevity #agereversal #heartmonth #prevention #lifespan #healthspan

As we age, many of us wonder and worry about cognitive decline and if and when it could affect us. There are resources available for questions you may have, and plans you can put into place to help lower your risk of developing cognitive decline. #Aging #Dementia #LivingwithDementia #CognitiveDecline

🌟 Understanding Intrinsic Capacity: A Foundation for Healthy Aging 🌟 Intrinsic capacity encompasses the physical and mental abilities that contribute to a person’s overall health and functionality. This holistic approach is crucial in promoting independence and quality of life as we age. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies five key components of intrinsic capacity: 1. Locomotion: The ability to move, which includes walking, balance, and muscle strength. 2. Vitality: Overall energy levels and metabolic health. 3. Cognition: Mental functions including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. 4. Sensory Functions: Hearing and vision. 5. Psychological: Emotional well-being and the ability to cope with stress and anxiety. Strategies to Enhance Intrinsic Capacity: >Stay Active: Incorporate physical activity into daily routines. >Eat Well: Follow a balanced diet rich in nutrients. >Engage Your Mind: Keep learning and challenging your brain. >Connect with Others: Foster meaningful relationships. >Regular Check-ups: Monitor and manage health conditions proactively. By focusing on these areas, we can support healthy aging and improve the intrinsic capacity of older adults, enabling them to live more vibrant and fulfilling lives. #Geriatrics #IntrinsicCapacity #HealthyAging #Wellness #SeniorHealth #QualityOfLife #Eldercare #Seniorcare #Dementiacare