Introduction: One of the most common questions I hear from patients (and at dinner parties) is: What are the best ways to keep our brains healthy as we age, prevent cognitive decline and avoid dementia? Fortunately, there are some well-established ways to promote brain health and some newer studies that point to intriguing ways to build on these core strategies. Because tons of new data are being released all the time, I've decided to update this post with the latest informat

As I sit here on the coldest day of the season so far and reflect on many of the people I know who struggle with winter’s impact, I happened to come across this article in the New York Times about thriving this time of year . After taking my dog for a walk and enjoying a bit of friluftsliv (more on that below), I am now sitting in front of a sunny window enjoying a warm cup of coffee and a bit of hygge (more on that below as well) to write about the scientific evidence and wi

Recently, I got to experience one of the greatest gifts living in northern Vermont has to offer. On a 70 degree September day, a friend and I took a couple boats out to a local lake and rowed out to an island. For the next few hours, we did nothing but sat on the shore, watched the sunlight cascading over the water, listened to the lapping of the waves and delighted in the warm breeze wafting over us. For the next several days I felt more peaceful and relaxed. This led me to

While it was technically released in December 2023, I have decided that "How Not to Age" by Dr. Michael Greger is my book of the year for 2024. That might be because, given its sheer size and density of information, I am still making my way through it here in 2025. It’s taken me that long to wade through the voluminous research located not only in the pages of the book but in the many ancillary videos and references included in it. I first encountered Dr. Greger at the nation

While not all of us are going to live to 100, we can all increase our odds of leading longer, healthier lives by making some simple lifestyle choices. A groundbreaking study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine  shows that even for those who are genetically predisposed to die younger, small but impactful adjustments to daily habits can add years to our lives. In fact, the study revealed that those who adopted healthy behaviors could extend their life expectancy by as much

Introduction: More and more, I’m finding that the pursuit of optimal health, not just the remediation of health problems, has become a paramount goal for my patients and those around me. I’m heartened that the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) stands at the forefront, championing a holistic approach to healthcare and a healthier and more sustainable future. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the ACLM Conference, an immersive experience that not only broade

Introduction We've all heard the advice to aim for 10,000 steps a day for optimal health, but what if I told you that you could reap significant benefits with fewer steps? Exercise scientists may have long ago debunked the myth that you need to hit that magic 10,000 number to stay healthy and live longer, but until now it wasn’t clear how many steps were needed for maximum benefit. The answer is, literally and figuratively, heartening. The Study: Small Steps = Big Benefits In

Introduction Depression remains one of the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide, affecting millions of individuals and causing significant suffering and disability. While traditional treatments such as medication and psychotherapy are commonly used to address depression, recent research has bolstered the idea that exercise can also be a powerful antidote to depression. A groundbreaking meta-analysis conducted by Schuch et al. (2021) explored the impact of exercis