Mild forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. Misplacing your keys from time to time or taking longer to learn something new does not mean that you or your loved one have a serious brain health issue.

However, the World Health Organization reports that around 55 million people worldwide have dementia, with over 60% living in low- and middle-income countries; this number is expected to rise to 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050.

Despite its prevalence, dementia is not inevitable! It’s never too early to prioritize your brain health. Whether you’ve experienced concerning symptoms yourself or seen a loved one struggle, you may gain peace of mind by adjusting your lifestyle and eating habits with brain health in mind.

Understanding Brain Health

The Cleveland Clinic identifies the six pillars of brain health as physical exercise, medical health, sleep and relaxation, mental fitness, social interaction, and—of course—food and nutrition. The connection between brain health and nutrition isn’t necessarily an obvious one, but they are inextricably linked. Even if you have a genetic predisposition for certain brain diseases, your lifestyle, including nutrition, can impact whether your genes are turned on.

Reducing inflammation and damage to your cells’ mitochondria is key to brain health and prevention of brain diseases. Mitochondria are the powerhouses in your cells; they are responsible for your vitality, and they impact how you age. When mitochondria aren’t functioning well, you can feel fatigue, pain, and cognitive issues. Controlling blood sugar is a key component to protecting the brain and preventing dementia, which is often referred to as Type 3 diabetes.

Optimize Brain Health Now

Wellbeats’ new partnership with food as medicine company Launch My Health provides access to six new nutrition and culinary programs, including Optimizing Brain Health. This program is designed to help you achieve optimal brain health and support the prevention of brain diseases through nutrition and lifestyle.

This effective, science-based program is led by registered dietitian Brenda Navin, founder and president of Launch My Health. In Optimizing Brain Health, you’ll learn how to implement a low-glycemic, mildly ketogenic, and anti-inflammatory diet, plus how to support healthy mitochondria (your cells’ powerhouse) in your body and brain. This is how your body makes energy, and it is key to healthy brain function.

This course covers the following:

• Brain health basics
• Key supportive nutrients to include in your diet
• How to support healthy blood sugar and insulin sensitivity
• How to reduce toxin exposure, which can contribute to brain dysfunction
• Recipes and tips on how to lead a brain-healthy lifestyle

All six of Launch My Health’s evidence-supported programs are built on the belief that food is at the core of health and wellbeing. Each program, including Optimizing Brain Health, includes recipes, meal plans, and comprehensive workbooks. Already a Wellbeats member? Enroll in Optimizing Brain Health now.

About Wellbeats, a LifeSpeak company

Wellbeats, a LifeSpeak company is a leading provider of on-demand virtual fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes for use in workplaces of all sizes, health plans, on college or university campuses, multi-family housing, the U.S. military, and fitness and health clubs. Based in St. Louis Park, MN, Wellbeats makes fitness accessible, affordable, and approachable for everyone. More than 1,000 classes and 35+ programs are available to help members stay on track and meet their goals. To learn more, visit www.wellbeats.com or check out a sampling of the company’s fitness classes during a Facebook Live class, and follow Wellbeats on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Launch My Health

Based in St. Paul, MN, Launch My Health is a leader in on-demand, virtual nutrition and culinary education services for employers, health plans, and healthcare in a scalable, cost-effective way. Launch My Health uses a food as medicine approach to empower participants to transform their health in their own homes through comprehensive programs, live culinary classes, and private nutrition coaching with a dietitian. Combining the latest research, behavior change models, and outcomes data with the team’s fun and approachable style, Launch My Health programs produce real results. To learn more about how Launch My Health can help your organization, visit www.launchmyhealth.com and follow on LinkedIn.