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Maria Shriver wants women to put their brains first, and her mission is personal.
An award-winning journalist and author, she experienced Alzheimer's disease up close and personal when her father was diagnosed with it in 2003. Since then, she has devoted most of her life to understanding Alzheimer's disease, and she soon realized: There has been a significant lack of research on Alzheimer's disease in women.
“So I founded the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement at the Cleveland Clinic,” says Shriver. “[I] We rewrote the story of Alzheimer's disease to put women first. In fact, it has been shown that two-thirds of Alzheimer's cases occur in women. This is not because women live longer. You couldn't turn it around. So to what can we attribute it?”
Focusing on women in the fight against Alzheimer's disease
The Women's Alzheimer's Movement is the world's first organization dedicated solely to women and Alzheimer's disease. Serving as a prevention and research center, it aims to recognize Alzheimer's disease as a women's health problem and advance research to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
“I think women need to start thinking about their brains from the beginning,” says Schreiber. “It’s never too early. And it’s never too late to think and talk about this.”
Schreiber spent four years building and fostering partnerships with the Cleveland Clinic. To date, the Women's Alzheimer's Movement at Cleveland Clinic has awarded more than $5 million to nearly 50 studies at leading institutions, with grant recipients set to earn an additional $83 million in government and foundation funding. It is done. The patient-centered research center opened in April 2024 and provides IRL specialty care to women.
In addition to Women's Alzheimer's Movement, the Health and Research Center offers a wide range of care, including behavioral health, heart health, weight management, menopause, and healthy aging. And there are plans to expand more gender-specific research funded by the Cleveland Clinic to comprehensively and holistically study women at all stages of their lives.
“I think women need to think about their brains from the beginning.” —Maria Schreiber, journalist and author
Shriver is a senior visionary and strategic advisor for the Center for Health and Research, where she advocates for women's health across the board. For now, she can only serve patients in Ohio and Michigan, but she has plans to add more locations in the future.
The center offers support groups, in-person and online resources, and patient advocates to help address health disparities, so no one has to feel alone when navigating their health. The ultimate goal is to reach diverse communities and bridge gaps in health knowledge about brain health and beyond.
“We need ongoing discussions [about health], and we need to expand these kinds of centers into rural America,” Shriver says. “It’s about ensuring that people of all ages, all races, all political backgrounds and all faiths have access to care.”
3 Key Ways Women Can Maintain Brain Health
You don't have to wait for your next doctor's appointment or until you reach a certain age before starting brain care. Here are some everyday steps you can take to prioritize your brain health:
“Use it or lose it”
This expression also applies to physical health. Of course, this also applies to your hair to keep your brain healthy. “The best way to improve your memory is to continue to learn and challenge yourself,” says Jessica Caldwell, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Alzheimer’s Exercise Prevention and Research Center.
“Take a class. Learn a new language or instrument. Listen to podcasts and discuss with friends. Brain games can also be a good challenge,” she adds.
Whatever activity you choose, it should be challenging enough to keep you mentally stimulated. That means working on “training” your brain.
move your body
Exercise for brain health provides immediate and long-term brain benefits, including increasing brain chemistry that supports the health of brain cells and reducing chronic body inflammation that can be harmful to the brain, Caldwell says. Exercise can also improve mood and sleep, reduce stress, support heart health, and increase social opportunities. All of this can reduce the risk of memory decline as you age.
According to the CDC, you should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and for healthy adults, more is better.
Eat nutritious foods
A healthy diet is the perfect complement to a healthy lifestyle. So next time you're thinking about what to eat, consider including brain-boosting nutrients. “Studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet rich in fish, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, olives, and nuts can help maintain brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” says Caldwell. .
“Try to minimize red meat, full-fat cheese, butter, fried foods and sweets,” she adds. “Also, be mindful of your alcohol consumption. Drinking more than seven drinks a week is associated with alcohol consumption. [a higher risk of] idiot.”