One More Claim You Can Ignore

Between the TV ads, online click bait and USnail its a wonder people still worry about Alzheimer's and dementia any more. Seems like there are dozens of supplements out there now that "support" your brain health an "reduce" your risk of dementia.

It is understandable that people are concerned. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's right now, and by 2050 that number is expected to nearly triple to over 14 million. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US today, killing more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. One in 3 seniors dies with some form of dementia. And this is a particularly ugly disease, literally stealing away your identity, memories and quality of life.

So its not surprising that where there is such concern, scams thrive.

It is unusual to get a clear, blanket statement from any nutritional study, but a study of 1,019 people by Dr Donovan Maust, MD, a geriatric psychiatrist at the University of Michigan and published in JAMA Neurology is just that. "Supplements do not reduce dementia risk."

What does help?

Staying socially active and engaging in mentally challenging activities such as playing chess, taking classes, learning a language  or reading about unfamiliar topics.

There is some more good news here. Many of the same things that improve your health overall also can lower your risk of developing dementia: regular exercise, a healthy diet, limiting your alcohol consumption and not smoking. But you can ignore the pill with the proprietary blend that supports brain health and lowers your dementia risk. It doesn't.