An estimated 42% of Americans over the age of 55 will eventually develop dementia.

And we now have the strongest evidence yet that a balanced diet, consistent exercise, and social activity can actually improve memory loss.

A new study, which included 2,100 older Americans at risk of dementia dementia found significant improvement in cognition by incorporating

regular, moderate to high-intensity physical exercise, adherence to what's known as the mind

diet, such as grains, leafy greens, and berries, mandatory social engagement, as well as cardiovascular

health monitoring. For a closer look, I'm joined by Jessica Langbaum, Senior Director of Research Strategy

at Banner Alzheimer's Institute.

She joins us from the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto, where this

study was presented.

Jessica, welcome to the show.

Thanks for joining us.

Thank you for having me.

So you have long researched Alzheimer's. You were not involved in this particular study, we should note.

But it's my understanding. It was already long believed that things like diet and exercise are critical to cognitive ability.

So why is this new study getting so much attention right now?

It took all of those individual, all those things that we

talk about, diet, socialization, exercise, and put them together in a very structured intervention.

And it's replicating in a way, in building upon a big body of research and showing in the U.S. population that together

these things can really slow down memory and thinking problems that occur in our adults

who are at risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. And we should note the participants in this study had, as you've described, sedentary lifestyles

in the report before the trial began.

They changed their behavior then over a two-year period and found that their cognitive

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