The Habits That Matter More Than You Think

Protecting brain health becomes increasingly important with age, and many experts agree that everyday lifestyle choices can make a meaningful difference. Recently, neurosurgeon Dr Jay Jagannathan shared six practical tips on social media for people in their 70s to help keep their brains healthy: walk and strength train regularly, prioritise sleep, manage blood pressure and blood sugar, keep learning challenging new things, don't ignore hearing loss, and stay socially connected. The advice has resonated with older adults and caregivers alike. But how well do these recommendations stand up to scientific scrutiny? According to Dr Bhaskar Shukla, Consultant – Neurology, PSRI Hospital, “These recommendations are consistent with current scientific literature and what experts know about healthy brain ageing. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, evidence shows that lifestyle choices play a major role in protecting cognitive function, even later in life." Here's what the science says.