When we think of cognitive decline and dementia many people tend to focus on a few measures of brain health. The reality is a lot more complicated.

In fact, there are many systems in our bodies that impact brain function, and the brain controls much more than just our cognition and speech. That’s why complex conditions like dementia can be affected by a variety of physical, social, and lifestyle risk factors; and why diseases like Alzheimer’s affect a person’s entire body, not just their brains.