Two
thirds of all those who end up with Alzheimer's are women. Our risk
of developing the disease is twice that of breast cancer. The disease
begins 20-30 years before symptoms begin to show.
While
a cure has eluded medicine, Mosconi argues prevention is feasible.
She outlines in this book specific medicinal decisions and lifestyle
practices and how they affect our mental future.
We
women are individuals and need to be treated so. Mosconi helps us
understand DNA tests, hormonal therapy, non-pharmacological therapy,
the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, stress, and more.
I
was especially struck by Mosconi's emphasis on the importance of
exercise. “Without a doubt, exercise is as critical to our health
as mammograms and annual checkups are.” (230) Exercise improves
memory function in the brain. “Several studies show that engaging
in regular physical activity, including all sorts of activities you
can do in street clothes, for roughly four hours a week lowers your
risk of dementia later in life by a good 35 percent.” (240) That is
amazing.
I
highly recommend this book focusing on women's health in general and
women's brain health in particular. Much of what women experience
health wise is because of misinformation and neglect. (274) Be
informed and be healthier!
My rating: 4/5 stars.
Lisa
Masconi, PhD, is the Director of the Women's Brain Initiative and
associate director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic at Weill
Cornell Medical College, where she serves as an associate professor
of neuroscience in neurology and radiology. She is also an adjunct
faculty member at the of Psychiatry. She is the author of Brain
Food. You can find out more at https://www.lisamosconi.com/
.
Avery,
368 pages.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
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