Cognitive Decline Expert: The Disease That Starts in Your 30s but Kills You in Your 70s

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

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Thursday, 5 February 2026 - 2 hours 6 minutes

Alzheimer’s expert LOUISA NICOLA explains early Alzheimer’s risk, why creatine fuels brain energy and memory, deep sleep hacks, and why sitting is a silent killer!

Louisa Nicola is a leading neurophysiologist and human performance coach who studies the brain and nervous system. She is the founder of Neuro Athletics, a consulting firm that provides scientific strategies for cognitive performance, and is also currently finishing her PhD at the University of Washington. 

She explains:

▪️Why 70% of Alzheimer's patients are women

▪️The "leaky brain" warning signs you are ignoring

▪️Why menopause triggers a 30% drop in brain energy

▪️How 20 minutes of Zone 5 training reverses heart aging

▪️Why your "willpower muscle" shrinks without hard challenges

(0:00) Intro
(2:31) Why I’m on a Mission to Prevent Alzheimer’s for Millions
(2:58) Alzheimer’s Might Be More Preventable Than You Think
(4:34) How Lifestyle Habits Quietly Lead to Dementia
(8:43) Why Some Older Adults Stay Mentally Sharper Than the Young
(12:35) What Short-Form Content Is Doing to Your Brain
(13:47) The Hidden Cognitive Power of Exercise
(16:31) Why Strong Legs Might Be a Key to Brain Health
(17:23) How Resistance Training Rewires Your Brain
(21:08) Can Exercise Actually Help Suppress Cancer?
(22:58) The One Exercise That Shields Your Brain Over Time
(25:42) Can Aerobic Training Help Prevent Alzheimer’s?
(28:47) What Cardiovascular Health Really Means for Your Brain
(32:15) Why VO2 Max Could Predict How Long You’ll Live
(34:45) The Best Exercises for Long-Term Brain and Mental Health
(41:45) What to Do Right After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
(45:05) Why the Ketogenic Diet Could Benefit Perimenopausal Women
(50:12) What You Should Know About Hormone Replacement Therapy
(52:31) How to Find the Best HRT for Your Body and Brain
(1:00:24) Ads
(1:01:56) The Overlooked Link Between Sleep Loss and Alzheimer’s
(1:03:42) Why You Need to Rethink Your Sleep Habits Now
(1:07:01) Can Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Really Reduce Stress?
(1:10:02) The Most Potent Brain Supplement You’ve Never Tried
(1:14:04) How Vitamin D Supports Longevity and Brain Health
(1:15:03) The Most Affordable Way to Boost Brain and Body Function
(1:34:34) Ads
(1:36:27) Why Doing Hard Things Literally Grows Your Brain
(1:43:28) Are Chatbots Causing Brain Rot? Here’s What We Know
(1:49:03) The Truth Women Deserve to Hear About Their Health
(1:57:39) What Happens When You’re Obsessed With Your Mission

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