Don't Wait for Alzheimer's — A Neurologist's 30-Year Plan to Protect Your Brain

Don't Wait for Alzheimer's — A Neurologist's 30-Year Plan to Protect Your Brain

Author: Dr. Mark Hyman August 19, 2026 Duration: 1:12:30
By the time memory begins to slip, the changes affecting the brain may have been developing for decades. But the trajectory isn’t fixed, and many of the factors driving it are within our control. In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and mentor Dr. David Perlmutter, six-time New York Times bestselling author whose new book, Brain Defenders, rethinks what it really takes to protect the brain as we age. You’ll learn: Why protecting your brain should begin long before memory problems appear How your daily choices influence whether the brain’s immune cells shift into a protective or damaging state Which numbers to know now, including fasting insulin, blood sugar, and waist-to-hip ratio How food, exercise, sleep, gut health, and environmental toxins shape your brain’s future What emerging research reveals about slowing—and even improving—cognitive decline I’ve always appreciated how David’s work replaces fear with something far more useful: a clearer understanding of how the choices we make today can help protect our memory, independence, and quality of life for years to come. View Show Notes From This Episode Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Paleovalley, Pique, Perfect Amino, BON CHARGE, Cozy Earth, and Fatty15. Shop nutrient-rich foods and supplements at paleovalley.com/hyman and save 15% off your first order. Elevate your daily wellness ritual at piquelife.com/hyman and enjoy 20% off plus free gifts. Help fill protein gaps at bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 for 20% off. Explore red light products at boncharge.com/hyman and enjoy 15% off with code HYMAN. Upgrade your sleep setup with cozyearth.com and enjoy 20% off  with code HYMAN. Head to fatty15.com/HYMAN today and use code HYMAN for 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit.

Hosted by physician and functional medicine pioneer Dr. Mark Hyman, The Dr. Hyman Show is a conversation about reclaiming your well-being. Each episode digs into the interconnected systems that shape our health, moving beyond symptom management to address foundational causes. You’ll hear detailed discussions on nutrition, the roots of chronic disease, mental health strategies, and the science of longevity, all framed through a functional medicine lens. Dr. Hyman engages with leading experts and thinkers to challenge conventional wisdom on food policy and prevention, offering a practical and often provocative perspective. This podcast serves as a resource for anyone feeling lost in a healthcare system that can overlook root causes, providing actionable knowledge to make informed daily choices. Tune in for a deep, evidence-based exploration of how our bodies truly work, empowering you to reimagine your personal health potential through informed dialogue and discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Dr. Hyman Show
Podcast Episodes
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