I'm A Neurologist & These Surprising Factors Can Impact Cognitive Decline

Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.

October 3, 2022 — 9:01 AM

It's exciting to see more and more experts embracing lifestyle as a powerful tool to prevent cognitive decline. After all, when it comes to brain health, it's important to mitigate potential issues before they manifest with symptoms. Translation: With cognitive decline, it's best to intervene as early as you can.

Enter neurologist Dale Bredesen, M.D., author of the New York Times bestselling bookThe End of Alzheimer's. He has made it his mission to provide actionable advice on cognitive decline and help people truly optimize their brain health—regardless of their age or cognitive status.

On this episode of the mindbodygreen podcast, Bredesen rattles off some less obvious factors that can significantly affect your brain health. Make sure you have the below on your radar:

You might be familiar with how the gut microbiome affects basically every function in your body (including brain health), but did you know your oral microbiome is just as critical? It's true: Your mouth, after all, is the gateway to your body and the beginning of your gastrointestinal tract. "So I recommend everyone check out your oral microbiome," advises Bredesen. (He suggests using a service like MyPerioPath.) "Do you have P. gingivalis, T. denticola, prevotella intermedia, F. nucleatum? These organisms are being found in the brain' they're being found in the plaques of coronary arteries… These things are impacting us systemically." 

For example, one study found that the aforementioned bacteria P. gingivalis, the key pathogen in periodontitis, was identified in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. Another study suggests a possible link between F. nucleatum (another periodontal pathogen) and Alzheimer's disease. Point being: Your oral microbiome can affect plenty of other processes in your body, so it's important to nourish your healthy oral bacteria.

Vitamin D is one impressive micronutrient: The sunshine vitamin influences not only brain development but also everyday brain function; it even works to protect your brain as you age. In fact, one meta-analysis conducted in 2019 that reviewed 11 studies on a total of 21,784 participants found significant associations between vitamin D deficiency and both dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

It's something Bredesen sees all the time in his own practice. "It's surprisingly common to see people come in with cognitive decline and their vitamin D level is 19 or 20 [ng/mL]." For reference, a blood level of 30 ng/mL is often considered the minimum cutoff for "normal" vitamin D status, but many experts believe a level of at least 50 ng/mL is crucial to keep your body healthy and feel your best. If you'd like to keep your levels up to snuff, check out our vetted list of high-quality vitamin D supplements. 

Consider Bredesen a huge sauna fan. Sauna use has been associated with some impressive benefits, including better sleep quality, improved energy, and even longevity. Specifically, research shows frequent sauna bathing is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. And in terms of brain health: "There was a very famous study out of Finland a few years ago showing that as people increased their sauna use per week from one or two to six, they decreased their risk for developing dementia," Bredesen notes. All the more reason to check out our list of infrared saunas and sauna blankets.