ArcaMax

For decades, I've been sharing all available information about achieving a younger ActualAge -- especially when it comes to your brain power. The full range of self-care that protects your cognition includes high-quality nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, having a posse and sense of purpose and enjoying speed-of-processing games. You can find a comprehensive overview of the benefits of these habits in my book "The Great Age Reboot" and my free newsletter at michaelfroizenmd.substack.com.

Plus, I love to share other researchers' findings that expand our earlier knowledge of how to achieve a younger brain age. That's why I've mentioned the benefits of therapeutic plasma exchange (I receive it) multiple times in this column. And it's why I'm delighted to share a recent study in Brain Communications.

Researchers looked at the impact of optimism, restorative sleep, stress management, healthy waist circumference, not smoking, and strong social support on the brain age of folks dealing with chronic pain. (Chronic pain is associated with body-wide inflammation that impacts the brain.) Over a two-year stretch, they used MRI imaging to evaluate brain aging and saw that participants, ages 45-85, who reported the greatest number of brain-protecting lifestyle habits had a brain that was measurably eight years younger than their chronological age. And that was regardless of how severe their pain. That's how powerfully effective those self-care techniques are!

Your brain's future in your hands, but you don't have to work toward it alone. For a helping hand, check out my site at 4YOUngevity.com.

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.

(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.