Lifestyle changes can lower our dementia risk. Dr. Eric Larson, senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, dives into the science to help explain just why diet, sleep, physical activity and other factors have such a big impact on brain health. This conversation is part of the Being Patient LiveTalks series.

“It’s very likely that there’s not just one type of Alzheimer’s disease. If there are different types and we can understand them better, then either the lifestyle changes or the treatment that one could offer would be more informed. There [are] huge opportunities for research in this field right now.”

– Dr. Eric Larson

Certain risk factors of dementia, from our genetics and family history to our age — are beyond our control. However, there are steps that we can take — as individuals and as a society — to reduce our chances of developing dementia and improve our overall brain health. In fact, research has shown that controlling things like education, air pollution, diet, sleep, exercise and social isolation can potentially help postpone or prevent as many as 40 percent of dementia cases.

Being Patient spoke with Dr. Eric Larson, senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, about the controllable lifestyle factors linked to dementia, why these links exist, and how to monitor and boost our brain health and reduce our chances of developing the illness.