Is vascular dementia inevitable, or can you prevent it before it starts? In this solo episode, Dr. Zimmerman challenges conventional thinking about aging and cognitive decline. He lays out a powerful, proactive approach to preventing one of the most common—but overlooked—forms of dementia.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Vascular dementia is often preventable, but early action is crucial—changes can begin 10–20 years before symptoms appear.
- Silent warning signs like elevated blood sugar, insulin, homocysteine, and inflammation are red flags long before memory loss starts.
- Critical lab tests and imaging, including fasting insulin, hemoglobin A1C, coronary calcium scores, and MRI scans, are underutilized tools for early detection.
- Lifestyle factors like poor sleep, stress, ultra-processed foods, and lack of exercise compound your risk—but also offer the biggest opportunities for change.
- You have more control than you think. Empowerment, consistency, and the right data—not just genetics—are the foundation for long-term brain health.
