Learn how to support your brain in the spring edition of the NC Brain Health newsletter. This issue highlights helpful brain health tips, research opportunities, and upcoming community events happening across North Carolina.
Thank you for being part of our community. Your support helps advance brain health research and education throughout the state.
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A Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, beans, and healthy fats is connected to better brain health. This way of eating can be especially helpful for communities of color, who often experience higher rates of heart and vascular health conditions that can impact the brain. Because this diet can be adapted to many cultural traditions, it offers a flexible and practical way to support both heart and brain health across the lifespan.
To learn more about the Mediterranean-style diet and its effects on your health, visit the American Heart Association’s website. You can also visit this link to learn more about foods you can eat more regularly to promote brain health. You can take a deeper dive into how diet affects brain health by visiting the American Heart Association’s website. They also have resources to guide you on your healthy eating journey at this link. For healthy recipe ideas, visit this link.
A new study offers encouraging news about both brain and immune health. The shingles vaccine, which is already recommended for adults age 50+ to prevent a painful viral infection, may also help lower dementia risk and even slow its progression. Researchers analyzing health data from more than 280,000 older adults in Wales and Australia found that people who received the shingles vaccine were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Researchers found that, among those already living with dementia, vaccinated individuals had a significantly lower risk of dying over nine years. Scientists believe the vaccine may reduce harmful inflammation in the nervous system or strengthen the immune system, though more research is needed to understand why these benefits occur. While not a guaranteed preventive measure, experts agree that discussing the shingles vaccine with your doctor is a simple, accessible step that may support healthier aging and brain health.
To read more, visit this link.
A new study suggests that adults with gum disease may be more likely to show signs of damage in their brain's white matter, changes linked to memory problems, slower thinking, balance issues, and higher stroke risk. Researchers found that those with gum disease had more white matter hyperintensities on brain scans, even after accounting for age, blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. While the study does not prove that gum disease causes brain changes, it strengthens growing evidence that oral health and brain health may be connected. Experts note that gum disease can be prevented and treated, and maintaining good dental hygiene is an important step in supporting long-term brain health.
To learn more, visit this link.
The winter’s edition of the NC Registry for Brain Health newsletter highlights a year of significant progress in Alzheimer’s disease research and healthy aging. In this issue, you’ll find:
Thank you for your valuable partnership and ongoing support of brain health research. Your involvement makes a difference and helps move this important work forward.
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A recent study by researchers at UNC Health shows that eating too much processed and high-fat "junk food" impacts your brain health. Researchers studied mice on a high-fat diet of fast foods, chips, and sugary snacks. In only four days, they noticed the mice were experiencing faster cognitive decline and memory issues.
The good news is that choosing healthier foods—such as vibrant fruits, crunchy vegetables, lean proteins, and hearty whole grains—can help protect your brain.
To learn more, visit this link.
A new report has brought microplastics, those incredibly tiny pieces of manufactured or broken-down plastic, into the conversation about brain health. The study found that the brain concentration of microplastics were ten times higher in patients who died from dementia compared to similar-aged patients without dementia at death.
While this discovery does not prove that microplastics cause dementia, it raises important questions: Does dementia lower the brain's defenses, allowing more microplastics into the brain, or are these small microplastics playing a role in the disease? While researchers investigate this complex link, it serves as a timely reminder that we can all take simple steps to reduce our daily exposure to microplastics. To learn more, visit this link.
A recent study raises concerns about the effects of low- and no-calorie sweeteners on cognitive health. This long-term study found that regular consumption of low- and no-calorie sweeteners was linked to faster cognitive decline. Individuals who consumed the largest amount of these sweeteners had a 62% increase in the rate of cognitive aging compared to those who did not use these sweeteners. Although this study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights the need for further research into the neurological impacts of these widely consumed additives.
To learn more about the study, visit this link.
We invite you to read this fall edition of the Registry’s newsletter to learn about key takeaways from the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) and a variety of other topics, including:
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We invite you to read this summer edition of the Registry’s newsletter to learn about clinical research and a variety of other topics, including:
Click here to view the full newsletter and join us on Facebook.
