New study: Five simple steps that keep the brain younger

A study published recently found that adopting five simple lifestyle habits may help maintain brain health and even make “brain age” about eight years younger than actual chronological age.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 100 participants aged 45 to 85, who were followed for two years as part of a broader study dealing with pain and the risk of osteoarthritis. Each participant’s level of chronic pain was assessed on a scale of 1 to 5, and at the same time lifestyle habits and psychological characteristics were examined, including smoking, waist circumference, sleep quality, stress levels, and optimism.

Based on these data, the researchers calculated a “protection score” for each participant. It was found that participants with a high protection score — including those who suffered from chronic pain — showed a younger brain age, sometimes up to eight years younger than their actual age. In contrast, participants with a low protection score tended to show a “older” brain than their chronological age.

Even after two years, participants who maintained a healthy lifestyle continued to show a clear advantage in brain age, indicating a long-term effect of positive habits on brain health.

According to the study’s authors, although chronic pain is associated with changes in brain structure, behavioral, social, and psychological factors play an even more significant role in brain aging — and most importantly, these are factors that can be changed.

The researchers noted that these findings are consistent with previous studies, including a large-scale study published in The Lancet, which estimated that about 45% of dementia cases may be linked to preventable risk factors.

The central message of the study is clear: Even in midlife and older age, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly affect brain health and slow cognitive aging processes.