Episode Summary

As we see rates of Alzheimer’s dementia continue to increase, it has never been more important to understand how to reduce our chances of getting this disease.

In this episode, I am joined by renowned neurologists and researchers Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, also known as The Brain Docs. We delve into the evidence-based lifestyle shifts that have been proven to dramatically lower the risk of dementia.

Drawing on their extensive clinical and public health experience, the Sherzais clarify what can and cannot be reversed when it comes to Alzheimer’s. And although fully reversing it isn’t possible, up to 90% of cases may be prevented or delayed through intensive, early lifestyle changes. Utilizing their N.E.U.R.O. framework —Nutrition, Exercise, Unwind, Restorative sleep, and Optimizing mental activity —the Sherzais help us understand how we can do our brains a favor.

As Dean explains, “As you get older, broaden. Take more classes… take musical instruments, learn how to dance, take other languages, travel, volunteer, many activities that involve many domains of the brain, and in doing so, you’ve created a network that will protect you for as long as your body will allow it. That’s the protection.”

This conversation also dives into misconceptions about genetic risk, dietary patterns, and the importance of having purpose in our lives. While there is no magic cure for Alzheimer’s, the choices we make on a daily basis can prove to be astounding.

Listen to the full episode to learn how to shift from fear to empowerment in protecting your brain health for yourself and your loved ones.

Here are the details of our conversation:

[00:03:11] What prevention really means

[00:05:58] The scale and societal impact of Alzheimer’s disease

[00:10:09] Main risk factors to know

[00:11:19] The NEURO approach to brain health

[00:12:20] How food helps your brain

[00:15:53] Why exercise is so powerful

[00:21:23] Managing stress better

[00:26:34] Better sleep habits

[00:32:43] Keeping your brain active

[00:37:56] New treatments

[00:41:41] Be careful with health claims

[00:44:12] Important numbers to track

Episode Notes

About Dean:

Dr. Dean Sherzai is a behavioral neurologist and neuroscientist whose entire life has been dedicated to behavioral change models at the community and population level. Dean completed his medical and neurology residencies at Georgetown University, followed by a subsequent fellowship in neurodegenerative diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He then pursued a second fellowship in Dementia and Geriatrics at the University of California, San Diego. He also holds two master’s degrees in Advanced Sciences at UCSD and in Epidemiology from Loma Linda University. He has received a PhD in Healthcare Leadership, focused on community empowerment, from Loma Linda University/Andrews University. Additionally, he completed the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. His vision has always been to revolutionize healthcare by empowering communities to take control of their own health. 

Dr. Ayesha Sherzai is a vascular neurologist and a research scientist. After completing her residency, she completed a fellowship in vascular neurology and Epidemiology at Columbia University Neurological Institute of New York. Dr. Sherzai is at the tail end of a master’s degree in public health in lifestyle epidemiology from Loma Linda University. Knowing the importance of empowering her patients and their communities, she completed an extensive culinary training program in New York and now teaches large populations how to make tasty, easy, and healthy meals for their brain health. 

They are the authors of two best-selling books, The Alzheimer’s Solution (2017, HarperCollins) and The 30 day Alzheimer’s Solution (2021, HarperCollins). They are currently leading the largest community-based brain health initiative in the country.