Episode 249

Memory: Why we Lose it & How to Keep it

Published on: 8th May, 2024

Did you know cognitive decline can start as early as 40 years old? And the typical patient with Alzheimer’s symptoms is no longer elderly! In fact, it’s a 52-year old menopausal woman. Mind blown? Tune in for signs to look out for and preventable steps to take to ensure that your brain stays as healthy as possible for as long as possible. 

This week, Jenn is discussing cognitive decline and why we are starting to see it more commonly in adults as young as 40. Jenn explains what cognitive decline is, as well as the signs and symptoms that you may see when you start to experience it. She walks through the impacts that lifestyle habits play in cognitive function, and how the seemingly innocent things you are currently doing in your daily life may actually be impacting your cognitive future. Jenn provides some tangible things that you can start doing now to ensure that your brain stays healthy for as long as possible. Tune in to learn more!  

The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

  • [11:29] What is cognitive decline and what are the signs of it?
  • [15:12] What in our diets and lifestyle are causing cognitive decline?
  • [18:10] How are memory challenges and focus challenges different?
  • [19:18] What is the connection between body fat and brain volume or cognitive function? 
  • [23:41] How are toxins impacting cognitive decline, especially in menopausal women?
  • [28:47] What are active, preventative measures we can take towards reducing/preventing cognitive decline? 
  • [34:28] How is the brain’s lymphatic system impacted by sleep?
  • [36:15] What does low-glycemic impact nutrition have to do with cognitive decline? 
  • [38:46] Why should hydration be a priority? 
  • [39:26] Which minerals are essential for brain health?
  • [45:05] What are the best actions to support your body in what it needs?

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • [16:04] Every human has progressive decline due to age and hormone changes. We can speed that up or slow that down, which happens through our lifestyle. 
  • [34:40] Good, quality sleep is crucial for brain health. Sleep promotes the elimination of debris in the brain. 
  • [47:38] Cognitive decline is real and looks like so many more things than we once thought. There are so many more factors involved than what we once believed. Start focusing on prevention, activity and awareness by at least 40 years old. 

QUOTES: 

  • [1:53] “It’s actually now recommended that we start working toward actively reversing and preventing cognitive decline by age 40.” - Jenn Trepeck
  • [19:18] “Increase in body fat leads to a decrease in brain volume and cognitive function. Central obesity in midlife increases the risk of cognitive decline, so carrying that extra weight around the middle increases that risk, independent of blood glucose or cardiovascular comorbidities.” - Jenn Trepeck  
  • [38:47] “Just a 2% increase in brain hydration can promote concentration, memory recall, and reaction time. Proper hydration is linked to productivity, healthy mood, and mental emotional balance. Cognitive function, sensory fitness, reaction time, and hydration status are all linked.” - Jenn Trepeck
  • "This is no longer late in life and it is no longer unpreventable or uncurable in a majority of cases." - Jenn Trepeck

RESOURCES:

Debunking Detox Episode

The Body’s Daily Detox Episode

Ultimate BioHack - Sleep Episode

Become A Member of Salad with a Side of Fries

Jenn’s Free Menu Plan

A Salad With a Side of Fries

A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch

A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram

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About the Podcast

Salad With a Side of Fries Nutrition, Wellness & Weight Loss
What to eat and when to cheat! Let's decipher between all the “diets” out there. You know what to do but it itsn't working. In fact, your diet could be making you fatter.

Ever wondered if cryo-freezing your fat cells would really work? Should you try acupuncture? A hypnotist? If you do, how do you know if someone’s good?

Salad with a Side of Fries is the podcast that will answer all these questions and more! Talking wellness and weight loss for real life, because most of us are going to drink, eat out, skip the grocery store and who wants a life without fries or dessert?! Host Jenn Trepeck’s expertise as an optimal health coach, in practice for over a decade, along with experts in various modalities will clear up the myths, mis-information, bad science and marketing to reveal the truth of HOW TO EAT and HOW TO CHEAT!*



*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This podcast, its content and guests are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About your host

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Jennifer Trepeck

“My passion for nutrition and helping others stems from “kicking my food issues” with my own weight management saga.” ~ Jenn

I believe that the greatest accountability is paying it forward! That’s why I teach the nutrition education we are all supposed to know but no one ever taught us, along with the science behind food, fitness, and health.

After I graduated from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, I founded Better Life Now LLC while working full-time in hedge funds. In 2019, I took my practice from side-hustle to full-time self-employment and launched my podcast, Salad With a Side of Fries. On the show, we offer science-based tips and tricks for how to achieve wellness and weight loss for real life – because who wants a life without fries or dessert?!

Topics we tackle on the podcast include debunking fad diets, food myths, misinformation in marketing, bad science, and general nutrition. I encourage guests whose expertise is different from my own focus on weight management to bring their unique, fact-based perspectives to talk about subjects they are educated in and passionate about.

Due to my decade-long experience of working with clients, I have gained insight into the health and food industry and the how-tos of building a business.

Some specific health and wellness topics I can speak to include debunking fad diets, exposing the BS we are fed by the food and diet industry, how the people around us can positively and negatively impact our health journey, and shifting mindsets in order to overcome inappropriate barometers of success to instead achieve happy, healthy, and meaningful change.

On the subject of business, I can help you by teaching my critical pieces every entrepreneur should know, how to make your side-hustle into your full-time job, ways to sustainably achieve success without burning out, contemporary networking, and how to prioritize wellness while pursuing your projects.

When I find some free time, I’m typically working out at Physique57, discovering hidden gem restaurants in NYC, or traveling to spend time with friends and family.

I’d love to have an in-depth conversation with you, whether it’s leveling up in business or debunking food myths!