#453 Dr Tommy Wood - How to Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia
Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
Headroom: Cognitive Reserve Explained
Tommy defines headroom as peak capacity minus daily needs and why maximizing it preserves independence.
Dr Tommy Wood is a leading authority on neurodegenerative disease, cognitive health and decline, and related lifestyle interventions. Tommy has a medical degree from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in physiology and neuroscience.
I believe every guest and episode are excellent, but this episode and topic are off the charts for importance and valuable information. Everyone should care about their long term cognitive health and independence, and that of your loved ones.
Tommy shares his expertise about:
How we can decrease the long term risks of dementia
What’s within and what’s beyond your control
Why our idea of retirement may be a terrible idea
Is there a better way to retire
What is “headroom” and why does it matter for long term cognitive health
How important is physical activity for reducing risk of cognitive decline and does the type or intensity matter
Does bodyweight matter for long term neurodegenerative decline risk
What metabolic health factors and lifestyle diseases contribute to dementia risk
Is there a sweet spot for overall energy consumption and cognitive health
What role can nutrition play in cognitive health
Are video games beneficial in cognitive decline prevention
How dancing may be potent for prevention
And a ton more
IG: @drtommywood
CHAPTERS
01:15 Video Games And Brain Health
04:15 Cognitive Headroom Explained
07:57 Gaming Context Matters
09:59 Cognitive Reserve And Education
12:24 Learning Beyond School
15:19 Three S Brain Model
20:17 Uncontrollable Risk Factors
22:54 Genetics And APOE4
27:08 Family History And Lifestyle
28:23 Exercise Type And Intensity
29:03 Movement Minimums
29:46 Walking Grows Hippocampus
30:41 HIIT And Lactate
32:37 Lifting For White Matter
33:40 Dancing And Open Skills
36:18 Falls Illness And Decline
39:43 Retirement Brain Risk
45:04 Weight And Metabolic Health
46:35 GLP1s And Dementia
49:22 Key Brain Nutrients
52:17 Wrap Up And Book Plug
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