Lisa Mosconi, Ph.D. is focused on research and strategies to preserve brain health, for women in particular, especially those at risk for Alzheimer’s. Her interest comes from her own strong family history of Alzheimer’s and the lack of information on how to approach brain health for women. Says Dr. Mosconi, “There’s so much confusion around women’s health and brain health. The last thing we need is another internet website telling us to buy more supplements. I wanted science to be the focus of my research and my book.” Based on nearly twenty years of research data, Mosconi authored The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. It was an instant New York Times bestseller and her findings were encouraging.

Genes aren’t destiny as far as Alzheimer’s disease is concerned. Aging is not a linear or inevitable trajectory towards dementia. The future of our brain is really in our hands.

A neuro-nutritionist as well as a world-renowned clinical neuroscientist, Dr. Lisa Mosconi asserts there is a lot you can do to maintain a healthy brain, as well as reduce the risk or delay the onset of diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Her pillars of brain health include diet, exercise, sleep, mental stimulation, stress reduction, and overall good health maintenance.

Mosconi’s book, Brain Food: The Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power, lays out the nutritional essentials for brain health. One of the most important essentials is water. The brain is 80% water, so even the slightest dehydration can impair function. Says Mosconi, “Keeping hydrated can have an immediate impact on mental power.” Mosconi also recommends a diet dense in nutrients that impact brain function. Important nutrients include Omega 3s (salmon, caviar, flaxseed oil), estrogens (dark chocolate), phytonutrients (red wine), and antioxidants (espresso) to name a few.

Another key element for brain health is sleep. Dr. Mosconi explains, “Sleep essentially power washes the brain—removing all waste products, impurities, and toxins, including Alzheimer’s plaques.”

Mosconi states that taking care of your brain requires discipline, but the benefits will last a lifetime. “Genetics, environment, and lifestyle literally shape the brain—the female brain in particular. There are all these things that are in our power to do, to promote brain health at any age, and for the long-term. We need to take care of our brains because they’re literally our most important asset and the sooner we start, the better.”