Motivation
I was inspired by Nevin Turk’s blog about his life transition into becoming a certified acupuncturist and finding great fulfillment in his work. My story is on another kind of transition, facing the threat of dementia, and write about it hoping it might help both myself and others.
Background
Both my parents, who passed away in their 90s in Chile, suffered from dementia.
My mother had Alzheimer’s disease. Her last years were hard—she suffered losing the language, and with it her friends, and was often irritable. What a painful contrast to the witty, lively woman she once was!
My father, diagnosed then with ‘senile dementia,” usually remained calm and gentle, with occasional anger outbursts. He occasionally experienced nightmares but otherwise enjoyed simple pleasures. Having studied in a French school in Salonika, Greece, he loved French phrases I wrote for him on a whiteboard.
My wife, a biochemist with two master’s degrees in health sciences, has advanced Alzheimer’s. It began five years ago when she replied in Spanish to questions in English. Though she has lost much of her cognitive reserve, she still enjoys reading phrases, watching ballet, or seeing children play with pets on her iPad. She eats and sleeps well and is almost always in good spirits.
I am 87, in good health (aside from controlled hypertension), and show no signs of dementia. With daytime assistance, and our children’s support, I care for my wife myself. We share meals, sleep side by side, and sometimes enjoy a cappuccino together.
What Can Be Done?
The FDA has approved three drugs that slow cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s, but none can stop or reverse it. Recent research suggests lifestyle changes may delay dementia, even prevent it.
- Harvard Gazette (June 2024) – “Alzheimer’s study finds that diet, lifestyle changes yield improvements.” This study examined interventions in diet, exercise, and social engagement. 50 participants were tested over 20 weeks. One researcher, commenting on the related change in the metabolic, inflammatory, and vascular milieu of the body, stated: “This kind of intervention may work as well or better than some Alzheimer’s drugs.”
- NPR (October 2025) – “Mental exercise can reverse a brain change linked to aging,” by John Hamilton. Scientists reported the first solid evidence that cognitive training can boost a brain chemical that typically declines with age. The 90 participants were divided in placebo and intervention groups.
- RAND Study (December 2024) – An observational study of 20,000 people found that baseline cognitive abilities, overall health, and functional limitations are the strongest predictors of future dementia.
Together, these studies suggest that lifestyle—diet, exercise, mental activity, and social connection—can profoundly affect cognitive health.
My Approach
Since both my parents suffered from dementia, I wondered if I might have inherited a risk gene. Several genetic variants are associated with dementia, yet not everyone who carries them develops it. Thus, I decided against genetic testing and focused instead on lifestyle.
From the Harvard Study
Diet: I follow a Mediterranean diet, which aligns closely with the vegan regimen used in the study and fits our Sephardic Jewish and Italian-Spanish family background.
Exercise: Participants did 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily and strength training three times a week. I play tennis four times a week for over an hour and do light strength exercises.
Stress Reduction: The study included daily meditation and yoga—an area I have not yet incorporated.
Socialization: Participants joined structured support groups. I meet weekly with French-speaking groups in person and via Zoom and see friends for coffee and reflections twice a week.
From the NPR Report
I do daily NYT brain games and started using the BrainHQ app. My French groups provide mental exercise too. Some research suggests learning new languages strengthens the brain, so I’m considering restarting my Russian studies, something I began 60 years ago to help a Chilean college classmate prepare for a Ph.D. at University of Moscow.
Interestingly, the Harvard study didn’t include cognitive training, even though the NPR research highlights its importance. That gap reinforces my choice to combine physical and mental exercise.
Surprisingly, neither study mentioned the importance, highlighted by specialists, of sleeping 7-8 hours nightly.
Reflections
Recently I wrote to two friends about my wife’s condition, Both replied they too had been diagnosed with dementia. One was a retired oncologist, an avid reader, and a daily swimmer. The other, is a former World Bank colleague. Their experiences remind me that even with discipline and health, there are no guarantees.
I may be trusting too much the findings of small studies, yet larger and newer studies keep confirming the impact of lifestyle on brain health. (NPR 7/28/2025, Harvard Gazette 11/4/2025). I plan to continue focusing on healthy diet, regular exercise, social engagement, and mental challenges. This will not require me to make drastic changes in my lifestyle.
Feedback
I welcome comments, through the blog or by email at hernanlevy@gmail.com.
Disclaimer
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KEYWORDS Alzheimer, dementia, genes, lifestyle
Anis, thanks for your reference to Dr Kogan’s presentation. I appreciated Dr. Kogan’s Integrative Geriatrics Medicine approach, which emphasizes “whole-person, patient-centered, primarily non-pharmacological care for older adults.” Integrative geriatrics is grounded in lifestyle interventions such as nutrition, movement therapies, and mind-body and spiritual practices. I also found the presentation’s conclusions about dementia compelling:
1. Dementia is not inevitable—its progression can be slowed or even improved.
2. Lifestyle factors are powerful, especially nutrition.
3. We can train the brain through activities like dancing, learning new languages, and other forms of cognitive engagement.
In their approach, a key step is identifying the patient’s specific metabolic drivers for dementia, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, nutritional deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances. This requires extensive testing. Dietary changes, including the possible addition of supplements, are typically the first intervention. From there, other lifestyle changes are incorporated into a personalized treatment program. Dr. Kogan noted that few providers practice this integrative approach.
Hernan, You may want to see the recording of the session on “Improving Cognitive Health” by Dr. Mikhail Kogan, Medical Director of the GW Center for Integrative Medicine, Geriatrician with The GW Medical Faculty Associates, and Associate Professor of Medicine at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. His talk addresses many of the issues related to dementia. The link to the recording is on the MHM webpage: https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1930181/uiconf_id/56595592/entry_id/1_igv78pvu/embed/dynamic