The number of people living with dementia in France is expected to nearly double by 2050, according to France Alzheimer, a national organization that supports those affected by the condition. Currently, around 1.4 million people in France live with Alzheimer's disease or a similar form of dementia. Recent scientific research has identified four evidence-based strategies that may help reduce the risk of developing dementia. These include improving sleep quality, staying physically active, maintaining low levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL), and managing diabetes effectively with specific medications. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine highlights the importance of deep sleep and paradoxical sleep—also known as REM sleep—in removing harmful proteins from the brain that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Poor sleep can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, daytime drowsiness, or trouble concentrating. To improve sleep, people can track their sleep patterns using a sleep diary or a smartwatch. Simple lifestyle changes, such as reducing screen time before bed and sleeping in a cool, dark room, can also enhance sleep quality. Regular physical activity, even light exercise, has been shown to lower the risk of dementia. A study in Alzheimer’s & Dementia compared two groups of older adults with mild memory issues. After 18 months, both groups experienced similar levels of memory decline, regardless of whether they engaged in moderate to intense exercise or only did gentle stretching and balance exercises. This suggests that even light activities like walking, gardening, tai chi, or yoga can offer brain-protective benefits. Research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry found a strong connection between "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels and dementia risk. Those with LDL levels below 70 mg/dL had a 26% lower risk of dementia and 28% lower risk of Alzheimer’s compared to those with higher levels. A South Korean study confirmed these findings, suggesting that lowering LDL with medications like statins may reduce dementia risk by improving blood vessel health and reducing inflammation, which are often damaged in Alzheimer’s patients. Newer diabetes medications, such as GLP-1 and SGLT2 inhibitors, used in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, may reduce the risk of dementia by 33 to 43% in people over 50. These drugs are currently being tested in clinical trials, with one example being semaglutide, the active ingredient in the medication Ozempic. While more research is needed, these findings emphasize the importance of managing diabetes not only for heart health but also for brain health.