Ep. 410 Cognitive Changes: Memory, Aging, and Brain Health Insights with Tommy Wood, MD, PHD

Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™

Cynthia Thurlow

Alternative Health, Nutrition, Science, Life Sciences, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 2 November 2024

⏱️ 69 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

I am delighted to have Dr. Tommy Wood joining me today. He is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, where he studies brain injury and how lifestyle choices and environmental factors impact brain health, cognitive function, and chronic disease. In today's discussion, we explore age-related cognitive changes and how cognitive function peaks early in life and evolves through retirement. We cover specialization versus lifelong learning, the role of memory, the effects of childhood trauma, and the physiology of dementia and Alzheimer's. We also discuss how sleep impacts brain health, lifestyle factors, labs to consider, including homocysteine and Omega-3 levels, and the value of skeletal muscle mass in preventing dementia. Dr. Wood also shares his insights on concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and supplements like creatine and sex hormones for maintaining cognitive health. This conversation with Dr. Tommy Wood is exceptionally insightful, and I look forward to having him back on the show again. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Common cognitive changes that occur in perimenopause, menopause, and beyond How some aspects of cognitive function remain relatively stable or even improve with age Why education is not necessary for cognitive development, and how specialized careers can reduce cognitive stimulation. How retirement impacts cognitive function The benefits of physical activity, particularly cardiovascular fitness, for brain health Why memory issues are not necessarily indicative of dementia How trauma can lead to smaller brain volume Why regular sleep and proper circadian alignment are crucial for maintaining brain health and cognitive function Blood markers for cognitive health Why muscle mass is essential for overall health and cognitive function Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Tommy Wood On Instagram The Better Brain Fitness Podcast

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Everyday Wellness Podcast.
0:04.2	I'm your host, nurse practitioner, Cynthia Thurlow.
0:07.5	This podcast is designed to educate, empower, and inspire you to achieve your health and wellness goals.
0:13.9	My goal and intent is to provide you with the best content and conversations from leaders in the health and wellness industry each week and impact
0:22.1	over a million lives.
0:28.9	Today I had the honor of connecting with Dr. Tommy Wood.
0:32.6	He is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington where he studies
0:37.3	brain injury
0:38.1	and how lifestyle choices and environmental factors contribute to brain health, cognitive
0:42.7	function, and chronic disease. Today, we spoke at length about age-related cognitive changes
0:49.0	and function in memory, where are cognitive function peaks in our early life and significant changes in retirement,
0:57.0	the role of specialization versus ongoing learning, open skills, activities, and benefits,
1:03.5	the role of memory, the impact of adverse childhood events and trauma, the physiology
1:08.8	of dementia and Alzheimer's, the impact of sleep
1:12.8	on brain health as well as other lifestyle measures, key labs to look at including things
1:18.4	like homocysteine and omega-3 status, the value of skeletal muscle mass and prevention of dementia,
1:24.6	the impact of concussions and traumatic brain injuries, as well as current relevant
1:28.4	research, the role of supplements for neurocognitive health, including creatine, and lastly,
1:34.1	the role of sex hormones and cognitive changes and decline in middle age and beyond.
1:39.7	This is an invaluable conversation, probably one of my favorites I've recorded all year, and
1:45.0	I will be definitely having Dr. Wood back.
1:51.1	Well, Dr. Wood, such a pleasure to have you on the podcast.
	...

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