Imagine living well into your 90s, full of energy, with your physical and mental health intact, surrounded by loved ones. It’s a wonderful vision and one that we all hope for ourselves and those we care about. But achieving this isn’t just a matter of good luck—it requires intentional actions to preserve both our physical and mental well-being.
Unfortunately, despite medical advancements, degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s are on the rise. Alzheimer’s is now often referred to as “Type 3 diabetes” due to its strong correlation with Type 2 diabetes. One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is by making specific lifestyle changes that promote overall brain health.
The Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer’s
According to the Alzheimer’s Association in the U.S., “25% of people aged 65 and older in the United States have diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed), and about half have prediabetes.” While the exact connection between diabetes and cognitive decline remains unclear, we do know that high blood sugar and insulin resistance harm the brain in multiple ways.
Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to being overweight and not getting enough exercise, keeps too much sugar in the blood. Over time, this excess sugar damages many organs, including the brain. Research is continuously uncovering more evidence linking Type 2 diabetes with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.
A Brain-Boosting Lifestyle
One of the worst things you can do when you retire is sink into a comfy chair, lose yourself in hours of TV, and disconnect from active living. That’s a fast track to cognitive decline. The truth is, keeping your brain fit as you age involves staying active in body, mind, and spirit. Thankfully, there are many steps you can take to maintain cognitive health:
– Physical Movement: Regular exercise is one of the best ways to protect the brain. Movement increases blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients that support brain function and reduce the risk of dementia.
– Brain Vitality: Keep your brain engaged. Whether it’s learning new skills, solving puzzles, reading, or even socializing, stimulating your mind regularly can improve brain function and delay cognitive decline.
– Healthy Eating: A balanced diet is critical for brain health. Diets rich in lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats (like omega-3s), and vitamins and minerals provide the nutrients the brain needs to function optimally.
– Mindfulness: Meditation and mindfulness practices reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and have been linked to increased brain plasticity and cognitive resilience.
– Social Interaction: Staying connected with friends and family is vital. Engaging socially helps keep the mind sharp and reduces the risk of depression and cognitive decline.
– Good Sleep: Sleep is essential for brain health. It’s during sleep that the brain processes memories and clears out toxins. Poor sleep has been linked to cognitive impairment, so getting enough quality sleep is non-negotiable.
The Power of Neuroplasticity
For years, it was thought that the brain could not repair itself, that once you lost brain cells, they were gone forever. However, research has shown that the brain is more adaptable than previously believed. Through a process called neuroplasticity, the brain can reorganize itself, form new connections, and even regenerate cells. This means that even later in life, there’s an opportunity to strengthen and protect cognitive function.
Ageless Fitness©: Your Path to Brain Health
With Ageless Fitness, we’ve created a specialized program for men and women over 60, regardless of their fitness levels. This program is dedicated to helping people keep their brains sharp and resilient by promoting a brain-body healthy lifestyle. Through engaging and fun group sessions, we focus on the key components that have been shown to protect and enhance cognitive function.
Ageless Fitness is the evidence- and outcome-based brainchild of Maurice Nunes and Marjori Bergman, based on years of research by top neurologists and neuroscientists in the US and across the globe.
Maurice Nunes, Rehabilitation and Stroke Specialist and National Academy of Sports Medicine (USA) CPT holds a master’s degree in Kinesiology and has over 20 years of experience supporting clients to optimize their physical health throughout all life stages.
Marjori Bergman, Certified Functional Nutritionist and Organizational Change Manager/Business Strategist/Executive Leadership Coach (MBA/MPP) has over 30 years of professional experience supporting global leaders and their teams to transform their current way of working to move toward innovative and optimal strategies, often utilizing cutting-edge technology. She has taken this vast experience and used it to understand human motivation theory and how to support clients to make healthier lifestyle choices
Their combined professional knowledge and experiences, as well as a passion for supporting the healthy aging of their friends and family, led them to create this unique program based on proven methodologies and the latest neuroscience information.
Ageless Fitness enriches lives by improving both physical and mental fitness targeting six key aspects of neurological resilience:
Don’t let aging slow down your brain. Take control of your cognitive health.
Our sessions are designed to stimulate the body, mind, and spirit—helping you stay sharp, feel strong, and enjoy life to the fullest. With the right approach, you can reduce your risk of age-related cognitive decline and keep your mind as active as your body well into your later years. Let us help you live better, and longer!
REFERENCES
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Kale, M. B., Bhondge, H. M., Wankhede, N. L., Shende, P. V., Thanekaer, R. P., Aglawe, M. M., Rahangdale, S. R., Taksande, B. G., Pandit, S. B., Upaganlawar, A. B., Umekar, M. J., Kopalli, S. R., & Koppula, S. (2024). Navigating the intersection: Diabetes and Alzheimer’s intertwined relationship. *Ageing Research Reviews, 100*, 102415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2024.102415
Michailidis, M., Moraitou, D., Tata, D. A., Kalinderi, K., Papamitsou, T., & Papaliagkas, V. (2022). Alzheimer’s disease as type 3 diabetes: Common pathophysiological mechanisms between Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(5), 2687. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23052687
Mullen, R. A., Tong, S. T., Lum, H. D., Stephens, K. A., & Krist, A. H. (2024). The role of primary care in the social isolation and loneliness epidemic. The Annals of Family Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.3102
Zureigat, H., Osborne, M., Abohashem, S., & others. (2024). Effect of stress-related neural pathways on the cardiovascular benefit of physical activity. JACC, 83(16), 1543–1553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.02.029