Cognitive Health White Paper
Overview: Next Level Concierge Care outlines a proactive and multi-faceted strategy to preserve cognitive function, emphasizing both lifestyle and clinical interventions. The focus is on preventing structural brain damage, enhancing brain resilience, and optimizing factors that influence brain aging and neurodegeneration.
Core Strategies to Preserve Cognition:
1. Strengthen Neural Networks
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Engaging in complex mental activities like working, learning, or playing instruments helps maintain brain connections.
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Bilingualism and musical training (especially piano) show strong protective effects.
2. Biological Risk Reduction
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Preventing amyloid beta and tau protein buildup
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Lowering inflammation
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Supporting healthy glucose metabolism
Evidence-Based Dementia Risk Reducers:
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Mediterranean diet – ~23% risk reduction
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Regular Finnish saunas – ~66% risk reduction
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Brain training (e.g., Brain HQ) – ~30% risk reduction
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Vitamin D supplementation – ~40% risk reduction
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Regular physical activity – Up to ~35% risk reduction
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Shingles vaccine (Zostavax) – ~20% risk reduction
Other Modifiable Risk Factors:
Environmental & Lifestyle:
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Reduce air pollution exposure (e.g., use air filters)
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Limit alcohol intake (even 1 drink/day accelerates brain shrinkage)
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Maintain strong social connections
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Treat sleep apnea and aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep
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Use low-dose lithium (5–30mg/day) for neuroprotection
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Practice digital finger exercises to enhance memory
Nutrition & Supplements:
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Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA)
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Maintain optimal Vitamin B12, CoQ10, and Homocysteine levels
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Daily multivitamin (e.g., Centrum Silver delayed decline by ~2 years)
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Avoid choline deficiency (found in eggs, seafood, nuts, etc.)
Clinical Interventions & Monitoring:
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Optimize blood pressure (target 115/75 unless arterial disease exists)
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Thyroid function support if low
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COVID-19 prevention and treatment due to strong cognitive impact
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Consider hyperbaric oxygen therapy and nocturnal oxygen use in select cases
Medications of Concern:
Worsen cognition:
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Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
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Flomax (mixed data)
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Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan)
May improve/prevent decline:
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Candesartan (blood pressure med)
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Bumex (diuretic, with caution)
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Suvorexant (Belsomra – reduces amyloid/tau proteins)
Conclusion:
Preserving brain health requires a comprehensive approach combining cognitive stimulation, lifestyle choices, preventive care, and targeted therapies. Next Level Concierge Care offers support to tailor these interventions to individual needs for optimal cognitive longevity.
Learn more: www.nextlevelcare.us | tel. 480.470.0606
