How to Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia — Dr. Tommy Wood

Dementia Preventability00:00

45 to 70% of dementia is preventable through lifestyle. 45% comes from the most recent edition of the Lancet Commission report on dementia prevention looking at different risk factors that have a consistent relationship with dementia risk. One big study from the UK Biobank data by Professor Yintaiu estimated that up to 72% of dementias were preventable.

Human Babies Born Fat for Brain Development00:30

Human babies are the only mammalian species born fat, even compared to other primates. Primary reason: fat as a repository for things the brain needs to develop, particularly DHA (omega-3 fatty acid) and fats as a source of ketones for the brain. Ketones are the preferred synthetic precursor for brain structure like fats and cholesterol, which make up a significant chunk of the brain—especially in the developing brain and relevant to recovery from brain injuries. Humans born fat to generate ketones to support the very hungry developing brain for the first few weeks or even months. Newborns also have brown adipose tissue to keep those little hairless monkeys warm.

Brain Injuries in Newborns03:01

Two main brain injuries in babies: pre-term brain injury (born early; earlier birth = greater risk of neurodevelopmental impairment, cerebral palsy, other neurological disorders later in life) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) (full-term baby with insufficient oxygen/blood flow to brain, often during childbirth e.g., cord wrapped around neck, placental abruption, uterine rupture).