Latest news with #Alzheimer'sandBrainAwarenessMonth
WebMD
4 days ago
- Health
- WebMD
Skip That, Do This: Tips for Protecting Your Brain
June 24, 2025 – Not to state the obvious, but: You only get one brain. Take it for granted, and your odds of Alzheimer's and dementia increase as you age. Brain-boosting tips and products are everywhere, but most aren't backed by science. So for Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month (and the other 11 months), we asked experts: What's the most overhyped brain-protecting strategy, and what's the one more people should be using? Skip that: Taking nootropic supplements The hype: Sometimes marketed as smart drugs, memory enhancers, or brain boosters, nootropics promise to improve your thinking skills. The industry is enormous, amassing nearly $9 billion in global sales in 2022 – 40% of which came from the U.S. The reality: While prescription nootropics – like ADHD and Alzheimer's medications – are proven to work for their FDA-approved uses, evidence for over-the-counter supplements is thin, said Eva Feldman, MD, PhD, director of the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies at the University of Michigan. Companies get away with vague claims of improved memory or brain function because the FDA only oversees products with specific health claims. That means most makers of these substances are never asked to prove their promises – or even that the supplement includes the ingredients on the label. Science says: One study review of 18 common ingredients in brain-boosting supplements found "no compelling evidence for use of apoaequorin, coenzyme Q10, coffee extracts, L-theanine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, or vitamin B12 supplementation for memory." Plus, the lack of regulation may pose a health risk, particularly if undisclosed ingredients cause harmful side effects. Another study tested a dozen "brain health" supplements and found two-thirds were missing at least one ingredient on the label – and all but two contained ingredients that weren't on the label. What to do: Talk to your doctor before taking any OTC nootropic product, said Scott Small, MD, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Columbia University. "The first issue is, do no harm. And harm can be both health and financial," he said. "I have patients who come in spending hundreds of dollars on false claims. It's shocking." Do this: Protect your hearing – and get hearing aids if you need them. Why it matters: People with hearing loss have a 37% higher risk of getting dementia than people with no hearing impairment. And the longer that hearing loss goes untreated, the worse your odds get. Hearing aids reduce that risk. What we know: "Your brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that communicate with each other using electrical signals and chemicals," Feldman said. "Hearing loss decreases the communication between nerve cells, and this communication is important for keeping the brain healthy." With untreated hearing loss, you're missing out on more than just speech. Studies have found that musicians and piano tuners – people who listen closely to music – often show increased brain volume. With hearing loss, you miss that brain-boosting opportunity. Science says: A mounting body of research shows a strong link between hearing loss and risk of dementia. How long you've had hearing loss and how severe it is matter: People who've been living with hearing loss for more than 25 years have the highest risk. One study found that for every 10-decibel loss in hearing (the difference between a quiet conversation and a whisper), dementia risk increases by 16%. What to do: If you think you've lost hearing, get tested ASAP – and get hearing aids as soon as you're told you need them. Remember, the problem isn't so much hearing loss itself – it's untreated hearing loss. Across the board, people in studies who wore hearing aids had a lower likelihood of dementia.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Onslow County Public Library in Swansboro to host Alzheimer's event
SWANSBORO, N.C. (WNCT) — The Onslow County Public Library-Swansboro and Onslow County Cooperative Extension are teaming up with the Alzheimer's Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter to host a free Alzheimer's program. This program is called Healthy Living for your Brain and Body, and it will be on June 27, from 10am-11:30am at the Onslow County Public Library in Swansboro. At this event, you will get to learn how certain modifiable risk factors and health behaviors can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. There will also be a cooking demonstration and tasting from the Onslow NC Cooperative Extension program MED instead of MEDs, which was designed to address healthy eating and educate attendees on how eating a Mediterranean diet can help protect them from chronic illnesses and potentially decrease the need for medications. 'The brain changes that cause Alzheimer's are thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms start, which suggests that there may be a substantial window of time in which to intervene in the progression of the disease,' Executive Director, Alzheimer's Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter, Christine John-Fuller, said. 'June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, and this is a great opportunity to learn how you can strengthen brain health and reduce your risk for the disease.' This program is free and open to the general public. To learn more and register, click here or call 800-272-3900. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Participants needed in clinical trials to advance Alzheimer's disease research
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – About 112,500 people in South Carolina are living with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. To advance research, more than 50,000 participants are needed in clinical trials examining potential new treatments. Hundreds of thousands are needed in broader dementia research studies. Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch is a free, easy-to-use service that connects interested individuals living with Alzheimer's and other dementias, caregivers, and healthy volunteers with appropriate trials. Experts believe there isn't a single cause of Alzheimer's, and research shows that adopting healthy habits can improve brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline, according to the Alzheimer's Association. They suggest proactively taking care of brain health, which includes challenging the mind, getting regular exercise, protecting the head from injuries, living a smoke-free life, controlling blood pressure, eating healthier foods, and getting quality sleep. 'We want people to know there are steps they can take to keep their brains healthy. We also want to encourage anyone experiencing memory or thinking problems to talk to their doctor. There are many possible causes — and if it is Alzheimer's disease, there are numerous benefits to getting a timely diagnosis,' said Ashton Houghton, executive director of Alzheimer's Association, South Carolina chapter. To get a timely diagnosis, the Alzheimer's Association lists some of the early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's. Some include memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning or solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks, confusion with time or place, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, new problems with words in speaking or writing, changes in mood and personality. Those interested can volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association to help those in the community take steps to reduce their dementia risk and recognize the signs of Alzheimer's, and can find volunteer opportunities on their website. June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Alert issued for disguised Chinese vaping products targeting West Virginia kids
CHARLESTON, (WBOY) — West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey is warning of Chinese vape products that are disguised as smart devices and may attract children. According to a release from the Attorney General's Office, reports show that approximately 90% of Chinese vape products entering the United States go undetected. McCuskey and 27 other Attorney Generals have urged the Trump Administration to continue cracking down on China and its 'co-conspirators' distributing the products. 'China is sending billions of dollars of vape products to the United States, but they intentionally mislabel these products to avoid FDA regulation,' McCuskey said in the release. 'We don't know what's in these products, so adults should be aware of that risk.' Advocates help raise awareness in Harrison County for Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month McCuskey went on to say that his main concern is that some vape products seem to be targeting children. Photos provided with the release depict vapes with games and apps on the front, similar to a smart device. The release also said that some vapes have been found containing urine, methamphetamine and heroin. 'I'm a dad to two girls, so I understand parents' constant worry,' McCuskey said. 'We all want to protect our kids, and that job is harder when foreign actors directly target them. I hope to inform the public of this danger while we work with the Trump Administration to stop the problem at its source.' In December of 2024, West Virginia led the nation in the number of eighth graders who consume nicotine and tobacco products. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What to know about Alzheimer's and taking charge of brain health
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) – The month of June is recognized as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. This is done to encourage Americans to take charge of their brain health. Dr. Nicholas Schwedock of Vesper Medical Care dropped by our studio to have a dedicated conversation about Alzheimer's and dementia. You can watch our interview in the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
