http://wbhi.org/, http://twitter.com/womensbrains

Women's Brain Health Initiative, 30 St. Clair Avenue W, Suite 900, Toronto, ON (2025)

09/08/2025

Join us to explore how early habits, lifestyle choices, and research breakthroughs are helping protect lifelong brain health.

Thanks to Presenting Sponsor RBC Wealth Management, the Women’s Brain Health Summit is where prevention, caregiving, and cutting-edge science converge.

🗓️December 1–2 | 📍Toronto 
🎟️Secure your spot today at HerBrain.ca or comment *summit* and we’ll send you the link for more details.

Because protecting her brain starts long before symptoms begin.

09/06/2025

Protecting your brain doesn’t have to be complicated; small, everyday habits can make a big difference in keeping your mind sharp, resilient, and healthy as you age.

1. Stretching Boosts blood flow, sharpens thinking, lifts mood, and eases stress. Daily stretching protects flexibility, balance, and independence.

2. High-Intensity Exercise Moves like squats fuel the hippocampus, strengthening memory and slowing age-related decline. Just a few bursts build brain resilience.

3. Time in Nature Nature lowers stress and restores focus. Just 20 minutes outdoors improves memory, attention, and problem-solving.

4. Mindfulness & Meditation Rewires the brain to enhance memory, focus, and emotional regulation, while buffering against stress and depression.

5. Relaxing the Tongue Eases fight-or-flight signals, activating calm and lowering stress — a simple reset for your nervous system.

6. Eating the Rainbow 50 plant foods a week deliver phytonutrients that fight inflammation and protect neurons. Diversity is brain nutrition at its best.

7. Connecting with Animals Pets lower cortisol, boost bonding hormones, and fight loneliness — a key risk factor for cognitive decline.

8. Clearing Clutter Decluttering reduces stress and mental overload, freeing up brainpower for focus and creativity.

9. Whole Grains Provide steady fuel and B vitamins linked to lower Alzheimer’s risk. Swapping refined for whole is a brain-smart move.

10. Sleep Hygiene Deep sleep clears toxins, consolidates memories, and restores balance. Good habits protect mood, memory, and cognition.

Looking to make these habits stick? 👉 Download BrainFit – Free Habit Tracker on iOS or Android with 100+ science-backed habits to help prevent dementia.

09/01/2025

We’re not waiting for change, we’re leading it.

On December 1–2, the Women’s Brain Health Summit brings together world-renowned researchers, advocates, and storytellers for two days of insight and action.

🧠Prevention & early intervention
🧠The menopause–brain connection
🧠The emotional cost of caregiving
🧠Gender bias in medical research
🧠Unfiltered conversations with Geena Davis, Marcia Gay Harden, Emma Heming Willis, Dr. Lisa Genova, and many more leading voices.

Thanks to Presenting Sponsor RBC Wealth Management, this is where science, storytelling, and solutions come together.

📍Toronto  🎟️Tickets now available at HerBrain.ca or comment *summit* and we’ll send you the link for more details.

08/26/2025

New research reveals pathways to slower aging and stronger brain health.

Omega-3 & Women’s Alzheimer’s Risk: A large UK study found women with Alzheimer’s have a striking omega-3 deficiency not seen in men, helping explain why nearly 70% of those affected are women. Ensuring adequate omega-3 intake may be protective, but more research is needed.

Lithium & Brain Aging: A new study shows that tiny amounts of lithium, naturally present in the brain, may protect against Alzheimer’s and even reverse memory loss in mice. Amyloid plaques appear to deplete lithium, and clinical trials are now needed.

U.S. POINTER Trial: Structured, multidomain lifestyle programs, including diet, exercise, cognitive and social engagement, significantly improved or preserved cognitive function in older adults at risk for dementia, across diverse groups.

Carbs & Women’s Healthy Aging: A 30-year study of 47,000+ women found that eating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes increased the likelihood of healthy aging by 31%. Carbohydrate quality, not just quantity, matters for long-term brain and body health.

Gut-Friendly Foods & Aging: Diets high in fibre, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fermented dairy were linked to slower biological aging. Adding beneficial foods proved more impactful than simply avoiding harmful ones.

Midlife Aging “Storm”: Research in Cell identified an aging inflection point between ages 45–55, with dramatic protein-level changes, especially in the aorta. The protein GAS6 emerged as a potential driver of systemic aging.

Combination Drug Therapy & Alzheimer’s: Findings presented at AAIC 2025 suggest that using common medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes together may slow memory decline and reduce Alzheimer’s-related brain changes.

Together, these groundbreaking discoveries illuminate a powerful truth: aging is not a fixed destiny, and neither is the decline of our brains.

08/23/2025

Several vitamin deficiencies can significantly affect memory and cognition, sometimes resembling early dementia.   Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve health and red blood cell production, and its deficiency may cause confusion, depression, numbness, tingling, or even irreversible cognitive damage if prolonged.   Folate (B9), which works with B12 in neurotransmitter synthesis, can worsen B12-related brain issues and lead to fatigue and low mood.   Thiamine (B1) deficiency, often linked to alcoholism or malnutrition, can trigger Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome, a profound memory disorder.   Vitamin B6 deficiency disrupts neurotransmitter balance, leading to irritability, depression, or confusion, while rare deficiencies in Vitamin E or Vitamin C can cause neurological symptoms, poor coordination, fatigue, mood changes, or brain fog.   Among these, the B vitamins (especially B12, folate, and B6) are most strongly tied to memory loss and dementia risk, partly due to their effect on homocysteine, a compound that can damage neurons when elevated. Identifying and correcting deficiencies early can often reverse symptoms, making it essential to request a blood panel that includes B12, folate, vitamin D, and homocysteine if memory concerns arise.

08/21/2025

Elder abuse is more common than we think, and it can take many forms: physical, emotional, financial, or neglect. Too often, it goes unnoticed.

💜 At the same time, many cases arise when caregivers are overwhelmed, stressed, and unsupported. Caring for an older loved one is an act of love, but burnout can put caregivers and elders at risk without resources and respite.

👉 Protecting older adults means supporting caregivers, raising awareness, and ensuring dignity, respect, and compassion at every stage of life.

If you suspect abuse, don’t stay silent; your voice could make the difference. Together, we can build a society where elders are protected, valued, and heard.

Want to read this full article or receive your free copy of Mind Matters?

Comment *care* below and we’ll send you the link.

08/19/2025

Join distinguished thought leaders shaping the future of brain health, caregiving, and gender equity at Canada’s inaugural Women’s Brain Health Summit happening in Toronto on December 1-2, 2025.

Dr. Pauline Maki will share her insights on hormone therapy, menopause, and brain health in “Mind the Change: Menopause, Memory & Mental Clarity.” She’ll be joined by Dr. Wendy Wolfman in conversation with Dr. Marla Shapiro for one of the summit’s most fascinating sessions.

Don’t miss this important discussion and many others, thanks to Presenting Sponsor RBC Wealth Management. Reserve your spot today at HerBrain.ca.

Comment *summit* below and we’ll send you the link with more details.

08/14/2025

The Midlife Double Whammy: How Hormone Changes and Accelerated Aging Collide for Women

A new study published in Cell has found that many of our organs and tissues experience a sudden “molecular storm” of accelerated aging between the ages of 45 and 55. The biggest changes occur in the aorta, the major blood vessel carrying blood from the heart, which directly affects how much oxygen and nutrients reach the brain.

For women, this period of rapid physical aging coincides with perimenopause and menopause, when estrogen levels drop sharply. Estrogen is more than a reproductive hormone; it helps maintain healthy blood vessels, regulates glucose use in the brain, and protects nerve cell connections. Its loss can amplify the vascular, metabolic, and inflammatory changes already in motion during this midlife aging surge.

The study also found that the adrenal glands, which produce stress and s*x hormones, show signs of aging as early as age 30. After menopause, these glands become an even more important source of certain hormones, meaning their early decline can make the hormonal transition even harder on the body and brain.

Why does this matter? Women are at twice the risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to men, and the overlapping forces of hormonal change and accelerated aging in midlife may be a key reason why.

In short: The same midlife “molecular storm” that accelerates physical aging can also accelerate brain aging. Protecting your cardiovascular system, balancing hormones, reducing inflammation, and maintaining healthy daily habits are key to slowing both body and brain decline.

08/12/2025

The Secret to a Younger Brain? It’s Not a Pill.

According to the results of the Pointer study announced at the recent Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, a two-year trial of 2,100 older adults (60–79) at risk for cognitive decline found that both structured, high-support lifestyle programs and self-guided approaches improved cognition. However, the structured group showed significantly greater gains, equivalent to being 1–2 years cognitively younger.

Benefits were consistent across age, s*x, ethnicity, heart health, and genetic risk. The findings confirm that sustainable lifestyle changes can protect brain health, including regular exercise, a brain-healthy diet, cognitive and social engagement, and health monitoring. The Alzheimer’s Association will invest $40M to track long-term effects, expand programs nationwide, and explore combining lifestyle changes with drug therapies.

The program’s focus on exercise, a brain-healthy diet, mental stimulation, social engagement, sleep, and health monitoring affirms what WBHI has emphasized for years — the 6 Pillars of Brain Health. Modifying your lifestyle choices today can help reduce your risk of dementia tomorrow.

To help you stay on track, we’ve developed a free and confidential habit tracker with over 100 evidence-informed habits that can help you maintain your brain health. BrainFit-Habit Tracker is now available on iOS and Android.

Small, consistent habits can make a big difference for your brain health, starting today.

08/11/2025

Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) can hit just as hard as direct trauma, causing PTSD-like symptoms in healthcare workers, teachers, caregivers, and even children.

Signs of STS can range from irritability, poor sleep, and headaches to avoidance behaviours and emotional detachment. People often miss early warning signs until functioning is significantly impaired.

Recognizing the signs early and building both personal and workplace supports are key to protecting mental health and preventing burnout.

To read the full article or to receive a free copy of Mind Matters, our latest publication, created as a resource for caregivers, comment *care* below, and we’ll send you the link.

08/11/2025

Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) can hit just as hard as direct trauma, causing PTSD-like symptoms in healthcare workers, teachers, caregivers, and even children.

Signs of STS can range from irritability, poor sleep, and headaches to avoidance behaviours and emotional detachment. People often miss early warning signs until functioning is significantly impaired.

Recognizing the signs early and building both personal and workplace supports are key to protecting mental health and preventing burnout.

To read the full article or to receive a free copy of Mind Matters, our latest publication, created as a resource for caregivers, comment *care* below, and we’ll send you the link.

08/09/2025

Wildfire smoke isn’t just a threat to your lungs. It can also affect your brain health.

Here’s what the research shows:
Fine particles (PM2.5) in wildfire smoke are tiny enough to travel deep into the lungs and cross the blood–brain barrier, triggering inflammation in the brain.
Cognitive impacts: Exposure to wildfire smoke has been linked to:
* Reduced attention, memory, and executive function
* Increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
* Higher rates of mental health concerns like anxiety and depression 
Early exposure matters: In children and teens, wildfire smoke has been associated with impaired brain development, poorer academic performance, and behavioural issues.
Older adults are especially vulnerable due to pre-existing conditions and age-related changes in the brain’s resilience to inflammation.

Comment *MOM* and we’ll send you the link to read the full article from the latest volume of Mind Over Matter magazine.

Women's Brain Health Initiative

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