June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and every year it reminds us of one important fact: while there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there is a great deal we can do to look after our brain health.
Whenever people talk about Alzheimer’s, I often hear the same response.
“It’s just part of getting old.”
But is it?
As many of you know, I’m Sardinian, and I grew up in one of the world’s Blue Zones, where people regularly live well into their nineties and beyond. What always fascinates me is that these communities don’t spend their lives chasing the latest superfood or miracle supplement. They simply live in a way that naturally supports good health, including the health of their brains.
They eat mostly plants.
They cook from scratch.
They walk everywhere.
They stay connected to family and friends.
And they never stop learning or contributing to their community.
In Sardinia, we don’t retire from life. We keep walking, gardening, cooking, chatting, playing cards, looking after grandchildren and learning new things. The brain, just like the body, likes to be used.
Getting older does not automatically mean developing Alzheimer’s. While there are no guarantees in life, there is plenty of evidence that the way we live, eat, move and challenge our minds can make a real difference.
So what can we do to give our brains the best possible chance?
- Eat a diet based mainly on plants, including beans, lentils, chickpeas, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds and extra virgin olive oil.
- Stay physically active every day, even if it’s just a brisk walk around the block.
- Keep learning by taking up a new hobby, learning a language, doing puzzles or reading something that challenges you.
- Stay socially connected. A coffee with a friend, a game of cards or a family meal feeds the mind as much as the soul.
- Prioritise good sleep and manage stress.
- Look after conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure instead of simply accepting them as part of life.
None of these things is complicated, and none of them requires expensive equipment or a cupboard full of supplements. They simply require consistency and a willingness to invest in yourself.
I often hear people say, “If I get Alzheimer’s, there’s nothing I can do.”
I don’t agree.
We cannot change our age or our genes, but we can influence many of the daily habits that shape our future health. Every healthy meal, every walk, every conversation and every new skill is an investment in the most important organ we have.
So instead of hoping we never develop Alzheimer’s, perhaps we should start asking ourselves a different question.
What am I doing today to keep my brain healthy tomorrow?
For me, the answer is simple. I’ll keep walking, I’ll keep eating the way my Sardinian family taught me, and I’ll keep learning something new.
After all, a healthy brain, like a healthy body, deserves looking after.
Prevention rather than cure.
Milvia Pili
Functional Nutritional Therapist
