Brain health Archive

According to a 2024 study, people with high amounts of visceral fat-the deep hidden fat surrounding abdominal organs-also have higher levels of abnormal proteins in the brain that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

There's no clear-cut answer about whether taking antihistamines for allergies increases dementia risk. Antihistamines have anticholinergic effects, which might increase the risk for dementia by blocking a particular brain neurotransmitter or increasing brain inflammation. But studies on whether there's any link between antihistamines and dementia have produced conflicting findings. Doctors advise taking the lowest antihistamine dose possible or using another medication for symptom relief.

Having an extremely low LDL level from aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy was not associated with cognitive impairment, according to a 2024 study.

A 2024 study involving more than 72,000 healthy people ages 40 to 79 found that those whose sleep and wake times fluctuated most had a 26% higher risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or similar problem, compared with those whose sleep patterns fluctuated least.

A 2024 analysis of 137 studies involving almost 90,000 people found that older drugs called triptans are more effective at stopping migraine pain in a moment of agony, compared with newer medications such as ditans and gepants.

A gluten-free diet (which omits wheat, rye, and barley) may be low in fiber, a nutrient that's important for cardiovascular health. People who avoid gluten should try to include gluten-free grains and seeds in their menus, such as amaranth, buckwheat, millet, sorghum, teff, and quinoa. Carrots, celery, kale, and kiwis contain mostly insoluble fiber, which helps you feel full and encourages regular bowel movements. Beans, nuts, seeds, and fruits (such as berries, apples, pears, and citrus fruits) are good sources of soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

Eating a traditional Mediterranean diet or green Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes more foods high in plant foods, including green tea and duckweed, may help reduce brain shrinkage, a 2024 study suggests.

A 2024 study of more than 10,000 dementia-free people found that fitting the recommended amount of weekly exercise into one or two sessions was associated with a similar reduction in dementia risk as exercising throughout the work week.