3 Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Brain Health, From A Neurologist

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:

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 patients2. Another study suggests a possible link between F. nucleatum 3(another periodontal pathogen) and Alzheimer's disease3. Point being: Your oral microbiome can affect plenty of other processes in your body, so it's important to nourish your healthy oral bacteria.

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/mL7 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 mortality8. 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 dementia9," Bredesen notes. All the more reason to check out our list of infrared saunas and sauna blankets.

A few unsuspecting factors can play a significant role when it comes to brain health. Of course, you can supercharge your brain health in myriad ways (polyphenol-rich veggies, anyone?), so consider this another helpful list to have on your radar.

We hope you enjoy this episode! And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music!