I just love your newsletter and wish I could afford your pay sub. Congrats on house and residency. I'm 76 now and in reasonable health, with family history of heart problems, so I must be doing somethings right. Your wonderful advice in this newsletter is going to be printed and stuck to my fridge, Thanks, from Mike in Ireland
Thank you for the support! And no worries, you are not missing anything! I removed all paywalls here so that my newsletter could be accessible to everyone. This newsletter is now donation based.
Congratulations on your house and nearing the finish line on your residency! I Iook forward to learning more about your integrative practice when you have everything in place.
I have no doubt that you are an amazing doctor because you created a wonderful newsletter. If you ever want to collaborate, I have been a nurse for 30 years and a psychologist and patient educator for 22 years. I spend a lot of time doing psycho-education. I love interacting with patients and seeing their improvement when they realize that the power to change is in their hands, with support from people like you and me.
Congratulations on graduation and the new house! Nice newsletter.
It will help if you can use some stories to support your recommendation. People believe things they can apply to themselves.
I helped a patient change xyz and their cognitive function improved.
Example: My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and his muscle weakness increased significantly. We convinced him to join a gym and ride the stationary bike - treadmill was too much. Getting him out of the house and doing something physically active decreased his anxiety and increased his cognitive function. His sense of humor returned because his mental health improved and he was more willing to do other healthy things like eating clean.
Telling a story to demonstrate what you mean really helps people to apply the information.
It's a bit rude to advise the author how this article could be better , don't you think? What if someone came over to your house and told you they didn't agree with your furnishing choices even though no one asked?
Great list. Hearing is underrated as a longevity quality. It is so important to brain health and not many people are aware of this. Thank you for bringing awareness to your readers.
My experience in the past 10 years, from assisting my elderly mother (89) who has hearing loss + dementia, to observing my bro in law (69) who has hearing loss but no dementia:
Mother can’t hear phone ring if she’s in the next room, can’t hear conversation unless you speak clearly and a bit louder than normal, can’t hear you speak if someone is running the kitchen faucet even if you are 3 feet from her, can’t hear you if she isn’t facing you & looking at your mouth.
Bro in law can’t hear television unless it’s so loud it’s uncomfortable to others, so he has to use closed captioning, and eventually got amplifying head phones to wear.
All of these symptoms were reported to the audiologist but their tests revealed that neither needed hearing aids. 🤯 (sarcasm: ok then , how about YOU live with them?! 😂)
Not sure where the glitch is in audiology, but perhaps they just don’t have a product/hearing aid yet that will fit the needs for this level of hearing loss. Or perhaps audiology is very nuanced and the risk benefit threshold is different than what I would have guessed. Maybe I could find a podcast with an audiologist that could explain it, but it hasn’t been a high enough priority for me. I will investigate further at some point.
Anyway, I don’t expect you to have any answer in this area, I was just sharing my experience so perhaps others could be aware.
My advice : prevention (no concerts, monster truck shows etc) , get tested frequently to catch it early, and don’t be hesitant to immediately accept hearing aids at any age. No shame in saving your hearing which will also help save your brain.
If you wait until someone has even mild dementia (or even just being elderly) to address hearing aids, they may not be able to adjust to the aids, manage the charging station, change the batteries, or keep from losing them. Can you tell I’m taking care of my mom? 😄.
Maybe there’s room for a new niche hearing aid? Somebody run with that idea.
But maybe not, as most likely I’m just ignorant to the audiology process and there’s good reason a product like that doesn’t exist already. Rarely are these things simple.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Hearing really is an overlooked piece of brain health, and your insights highlight just how important early intervention and awareness are for both patients AND caregivers.
I generally like your synopsis....the only thing I question is "High cholesterol – Especially LDL cholesterol, which appears to be linked with increased stroke risk." Just a head's up but the view on LDL is changing - it is not as bad a previously thought. In a similar vein, it appears statins are a big contributor to dementia...and what do they do? Reduce LDL. Methinks the real answer is to eat clean and eliminate processed foods. Again, just a heads-up.
I was thinking of your leaving residency and going into practice. You are still so idealistic. It’s a good quality. Nevertheless you are leaving the cradle of residency to the harshness of paying bills, budgets, regulations, competition, taxes, family, hiring and firing. Trying to balance your work with growing family obligations. Although there are challenges, there are opportunities. I heard this expression years ago, a deal of a lifetime may occur every day. Even looking at a harsh situation may turn out to be amazing. I was a physician for 50 years. I had to stop to care for my wife. Purpose changes.
Jake—I really love how this analysis includes two factors omitted in the Lancet Commission’s report—sleep and brain-healthy eating. And congrats on the house and graduation!
Hello Sir! Really nice article. Appreciate the insights.
If it's okay for author and readers both, I would like to add 18th habit which probably is one of the most underrated yet most powerful habit you can think of. (I think it's little taboo, so please excuse me)
So here it goes -
18. Celibacy:
Celibacy can enhance mental health by fostering focus and emotional clarity. A 2016 study in Archives of Sexual Behavior found that celibate individuals reported similar happiness levels to sexually active ones, suggesting no mental health detriment. Another study (European Journal of Mental Health, 2010) on Indian Catholic clergy showed celibacy reduced burnout and increased engagement for some, linked to spiritual purpose. If you are a spiritiual person then also in Spiritually, celibacy, like Brahmacharya, channels energy toward self-awareness, promoting peace. Real-world examples include monks reporting heightened mindfulness, though evidence varies, and personal choice matters. Balancing discipline with well-being is key.
I suggest to practice it for few days and see the results yourself.
Well, Congratulations!!!! I lived in SoCal until I was 60 years old. 30 of it was in the most magnificent San Diego!! I wish I could afford to live there, still.
I moved to St Louis county, coming up on 4 years ago. I moved to Southern Illinois, across the Mississippi River, 3 months later, to a small incorporated town because I met the love of my life. We're getting married in 2 weeks and 4 days!
The beauty here is different but I can't say enough about how beautiful just my backyard is.... I can afford to live here, with help. I miss San Diego, especially the ocean! It's been the adjustment of a lifetime.
I still have family in San Diego. I'm not sure if I will ever be able to go back, for a visit. It's iffy, right now. My daughter took it very personally when I moved. It's been sad and heartbreaking! Although, the silver lining is very good. Having family kind of turn on me for the move I made to help my son, who lives 20 minutes away from me, although, I've not seen him or my grandchildren since I moved over the river. My grand children's mother and I don't get a long. We couldn't live together. I'm being punished for that by having my granddaughter and grandson kept away from me. My son is not married to their mother or together as a couple. It's too hard for me to understand how he can choose her over me.
He chooses to go a long with her punishment, although, he's the one who asked me to move out here. It's super heartbreaking.
Hi Dr Jake. My 60 year old cousin is bipolar and also has hyperacusis which began 10 years ago when he lost his mum. His Dad passed a year ago and he is really struggling lately, particularly with the latter condition. His relationship with his two teenage boys and wife has broken down and he's had to move out because of the noise sensitivity. I'm at a loss as to how to help him and would really appreciate any guidance.
I just love your newsletter and wish I could afford your pay sub. Congrats on house and residency. I'm 76 now and in reasonable health, with family history of heart problems, so I must be doing somethings right. Your wonderful advice in this newsletter is going to be printed and stuck to my fridge, Thanks, from Mike in Ireland
Thank you for the support! And no worries, you are not missing anything! I removed all paywalls here so that my newsletter could be accessible to everyone. This newsletter is now donation based.
Congratulations on your house and nearing the finish line on your residency! I Iook forward to learning more about your integrative practice when you have everything in place.
Thank you so much! I will definitely keep sending out updates!
I love your newsletter! Congratulations on your soon to be new home and career! You’ll be fantastic ❤️
Thank you Annie!
Apologizing to Dr Jake. I did not intend to be rude or critical. Kathleen is correct, you did not ask for that kind of support.
I truly am excited for your new adventure. You gave a bright future ahead you!
Thank you! I did not take it as rude or critical at all :)
You are very kind!
I have no doubt that you are an amazing doctor because you created a wonderful newsletter. If you ever want to collaborate, I have been a nurse for 30 years and a psychologist and patient educator for 22 years. I spend a lot of time doing psycho-education. I love interacting with patients and seeing their improvement when they realize that the power to change is in their hands, with support from people like you and me.
Wow, what a journey! I'm sure you have stories for days. Your patients are lucky to have you!
Congratulations on graduation and the new house! Nice newsletter.
It will help if you can use some stories to support your recommendation. People believe things they can apply to themselves.
I helped a patient change xyz and their cognitive function improved.
Example: My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and his muscle weakness increased significantly. We convinced him to join a gym and ride the stationary bike - treadmill was too much. Getting him out of the house and doing something physically active decreased his anxiety and increased his cognitive function. His sense of humor returned because his mental health improved and he was more willing to do other healthy things like eating clean.
Telling a story to demonstrate what you mean really helps people to apply the information.
Thank you! I will definitely keep this in mind!
It's a bit rude to advise the author how this article could be better , don't you think? What if someone came over to your house and told you they didn't agree with your furnishing choices even though no one asked?
That certainly was not my intention. I did not realize that my comment would come off as rude. Thank you for the constructive criticism.
I've done this myself, we forget that the written word is interpreted often more forcefully than speech. Easily done 😊
Great list. Hearing is underrated as a longevity quality. It is so important to brain health and not many people are aware of this. Thank you for bringing awareness to your readers.
My experience in the past 10 years, from assisting my elderly mother (89) who has hearing loss + dementia, to observing my bro in law (69) who has hearing loss but no dementia:
Mother can’t hear phone ring if she’s in the next room, can’t hear conversation unless you speak clearly and a bit louder than normal, can’t hear you speak if someone is running the kitchen faucet even if you are 3 feet from her, can’t hear you if she isn’t facing you & looking at your mouth.
Bro in law can’t hear television unless it’s so loud it’s uncomfortable to others, so he has to use closed captioning, and eventually got amplifying head phones to wear.
All of these symptoms were reported to the audiologist but their tests revealed that neither needed hearing aids. 🤯 (sarcasm: ok then , how about YOU live with them?! 😂)
Not sure where the glitch is in audiology, but perhaps they just don’t have a product/hearing aid yet that will fit the needs for this level of hearing loss. Or perhaps audiology is very nuanced and the risk benefit threshold is different than what I would have guessed. Maybe I could find a podcast with an audiologist that could explain it, but it hasn’t been a high enough priority for me. I will investigate further at some point.
Anyway, I don’t expect you to have any answer in this area, I was just sharing my experience so perhaps others could be aware.
My advice : prevention (no concerts, monster truck shows etc) , get tested frequently to catch it early, and don’t be hesitant to immediately accept hearing aids at any age. No shame in saving your hearing which will also help save your brain.
If you wait until someone has even mild dementia (or even just being elderly) to address hearing aids, they may not be able to adjust to the aids, manage the charging station, change the batteries, or keep from losing them. Can you tell I’m taking care of my mom? 😄.
Maybe there’s room for a new niche hearing aid? Somebody run with that idea.
But maybe not, as most likely I’m just ignorant to the audiology process and there’s good reason a product like that doesn’t exist already. Rarely are these things simple.
Let’s keep our brains strong, friends!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Hearing really is an overlooked piece of brain health, and your insights highlight just how important early intervention and awareness are for both patients AND caregivers.
Thank you for straight forward advice in simple steps, even for those of us already aged! Best wishes for the move.
Thank you!
I generally like your synopsis....the only thing I question is "High cholesterol – Especially LDL cholesterol, which appears to be linked with increased stroke risk." Just a head's up but the view on LDL is changing - it is not as bad a previously thought. In a similar vein, it appears statins are a big contributor to dementia...and what do they do? Reduce LDL. Methinks the real answer is to eat clean and eliminate processed foods. Again, just a heads-up.
I was thinking of your leaving residency and going into practice. You are still so idealistic. It’s a good quality. Nevertheless you are leaving the cradle of residency to the harshness of paying bills, budgets, regulations, competition, taxes, family, hiring and firing. Trying to balance your work with growing family obligations. Although there are challenges, there are opportunities. I heard this expression years ago, a deal of a lifetime may occur every day. Even looking at a harsh situation may turn out to be amazing. I was a physician for 50 years. I had to stop to care for my wife. Purpose changes.
Jake—I really love how this analysis includes two factors omitted in the Lancet Commission’s report—sleep and brain-healthy eating. And congrats on the house and graduation!
Hello Sir! Really nice article. Appreciate the insights.
If it's okay for author and readers both, I would like to add 18th habit which probably is one of the most underrated yet most powerful habit you can think of. (I think it's little taboo, so please excuse me)
So here it goes -
18. Celibacy:
Celibacy can enhance mental health by fostering focus and emotional clarity. A 2016 study in Archives of Sexual Behavior found that celibate individuals reported similar happiness levels to sexually active ones, suggesting no mental health detriment. Another study (European Journal of Mental Health, 2010) on Indian Catholic clergy showed celibacy reduced burnout and increased engagement for some, linked to spiritual purpose. If you are a spiritiual person then also in Spiritually, celibacy, like Brahmacharya, channels energy toward self-awareness, promoting peace. Real-world examples include monks reporting heightened mindfulness, though evidence varies, and personal choice matters. Balancing discipline with well-being is key.
I suggest to practice it for few days and see the results yourself.
Well, Congratulations!!!! I lived in SoCal until I was 60 years old. 30 of it was in the most magnificent San Diego!! I wish I could afford to live there, still.
I moved to St Louis county, coming up on 4 years ago. I moved to Southern Illinois, across the Mississippi River, 3 months later, to a small incorporated town because I met the love of my life. We're getting married in 2 weeks and 4 days!
The beauty here is different but I can't say enough about how beautiful just my backyard is.... I can afford to live here, with help. I miss San Diego, especially the ocean! It's been the adjustment of a lifetime.
I still have family in San Diego. I'm not sure if I will ever be able to go back, for a visit. It's iffy, right now. My daughter took it very personally when I moved. It's been sad and heartbreaking! Although, the silver lining is very good. Having family kind of turn on me for the move I made to help my son, who lives 20 minutes away from me, although, I've not seen him or my grandchildren since I moved over the river. My grand children's mother and I don't get a long. We couldn't live together. I'm being punished for that by having my granddaughter and grandson kept away from me. My son is not married to their mother or together as a couple. It's too hard for me to understand how he can choose her over me.
He chooses to go a long with her punishment, although, he's the one who asked me to move out here. It's super heartbreaking.
Hi Dr Jake. My 60 year old cousin is bipolar and also has hyperacusis which began 10 years ago when he lost his mum. His Dad passed a year ago and he is really struggling lately, particularly with the latter condition. His relationship with his two teenage boys and wife has broken down and he's had to move out because of the noise sensitivity. I'm at a loss as to how to help him and would really appreciate any guidance.