I’m in my 30s or 40s, should I pay attention to cognitive health?

In our functional medicine practice, we focus a great deal on long-term prevention of age-related declines. A chief concern is maintaining and optimizing brain function not to mention reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive declines. Some patients wonder when they should start thinking about this. Our answer: It is never too early to make an impact and it can be beneficial to start paying attention to cognitive health in your 30s or 40s or even earlier. Many subtle cognitive issues start as much as 10 years prior to diagnosis. While cognitive decline is more commonly associated with aging, it's important to remember that brain health is a lifelong pursuit. Taking proactive steps to maintain and support cognitive function early on can potentially have long-term benefits. And it may be important for you to think about this even if you don’t have family members with a history of Alzheimer’s or other declines – for one thing other common issues such as depression, mood disorders and low vitamin-D increase the risk for cognitive problems.

Here are a few reasons why it makes sense to start monitoring cognitive health in your 30s or 40s:

1.     Establishing a baseline: Assessing cognitive function and establishing a baseline measurement in your younger years can help you track changes and identify any deviations from your normal cognitive abilities later in life.

2.     Lifestyle impact: Your lifestyle choices in your 30s and 40s can have a significant impact on your cognitive health later on. By adopting healthy habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, stress management, and avoiding harmful habits, you can potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline and optimize brain function.

3.     Identifying risk factors: Certain lifestyle factors, medical conditions, and genetic predispositions can increase the risk of cognitive decline or neurodegenerative diseases. By being aware of these risk factors and monitoring your cognitive health, you can take appropriate preventive measures or seek early interventions if needed.

4.     Early detection of cognitive changes: Some cognitive changes or conditions may begin to manifest in your 30s or 40s, even if they are not immediately noticeable or concerning. By being proactive in monitoring your cognitive health, you can identify any subtle changes and seek professional guidance if necessary.

5.     Cognitive fitness and performance: Cognitive health is not solely about preventing decline; it also involves optimizing cognitive function. By paying attention to your cognitive health earlier in life, you can engage in activities and strategies that enhance cognitive fitness, such as brain training exercises and mental stimulation.

Remember, cognitive health is influenced by a variety of factors, and everyone's journey is unique. In other blogs, we will discuss some more specifics around what factors raise risk and what you can do to help minimize declines over time. But one of the best things is to search for a functional medicine doctor, or to become a Tendwell member. If you want to find out more, set up a free consultation here.