Dr. David Perlmutter Urges 6 Brain-Health Habits as Dementia Cases Seen Reaching 139 Million by 2050
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Aug 9
Dr. David Perlmutter Urges 6 Brain-Health Habits as Dementia Cases Seen Reaching 139 Million by 2050
2 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Aug 9
Summary
Six avoidable habits—sedentary living, heavy drinking, social isolation, unprotected hearing, poor sleep and ultra-processed diets—were highlighted by neurologist David Perlmutter as key ways to protect long-term brain health.
55 million people worldwide already live with dementia, and Perlmutter said Alzheimer's risk is shaped decades before symptoms appear by everyday choices rather than genes alone.
31% higher dementia risk was found among lonely people in a 2024 meta-analysis of more than 600,000 participants, reinforcing his emphasis on staying socially connected.
53% of U.S. adults' calories come from ultra-processed foods, according to a CDC analysis, while Perlmutter said alcohol, sleep disruption and metabolic inflammation also threaten cognitive health.
139 million dementia cases are projected globally by 2050, underscoring why modifiable lifestyle risks are drawing growing attention.