Preserving Brain Health Through a Heart-Healthy Diet: Heart health and brain health are interconnected. Protecting one also helps protect the other. (cover story)

ALZHEIMER'S disease prevention; ATHEROSCLEROSIS prevention; BRAIN physiology; DEMENTIA prevention; HEART physiology; REGULATION of body weight; CARDIOVASCULAR system physiology; DIET; DIETARY supplements; ALCOHOL drinking; SODIUM content of food; HEALTH status indicators; DIETARY sucrose

The article explores the interconnection between the heart and the brain and explains how maintaining brain health also helps maintain heart health. Topics mentioned include the functions of the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, the risk factors for atherosclerosis including smoking and high cholesterol, and the ways to keep the vascular system healthy including eating unsaturated fats and reducing sodium intake.