For decades, we’ve been told Alzheimer’s strikes in our 70s or 80s — but that’s not the full story. The truth is, it begins silently, building for years—sometimes decades—before symptoms ever appear. And by the time you notice it, the damage has already been done. In this solo episode, I break down what I’ve learned after a decade studying brain health — especially the unique risks women face in midlife. Two out of three cases of Alzheimer’s are female. Why? It’s not just about age — it’s about hormones, metabolism, and lifestyle choices that start changing in our 30s, 40s, and 50s. I’ll also share why I created Brain Code™ — my new digital course for women 40+ who want a science-backed plan to lower their risk of cognitive decline and live sharper, longer, and stronger lives. This isn’t optional self-care — it’s your cognitive Olympics. *** Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey. *** A huge thank you to my sponsors for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts: Function Health Visit https://functionhealth.com/louisa or use gift code NEURO100 at sign-up to own your health. Calm Go to https://www.calm.com/LOUISA for 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library.  TimelineMy friends at Timeline are offering 20% off, just for my listeners. Head to https://www.timeline.com/neuro to get started.  VuoriGo to https://www.vuori.com/NEURO and receive 20% off your first purchase. Additionally, enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns. Jones Road Beauty For a limited time our listeners are getting a free Cool Gloss on their first purchase when they use code NEURO at checkout. Just head to https://www.jonesroadbeauty.com and use code NEURO at checkout.   Branch Basics Take 15% off your new Branch Basics Premium Starter Kit at https://www.BranchBasics.com with promo code NEURO.  *** I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics. My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention. If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place. Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_Topics discussed: 00:00:00 The Alzheimer's Crisis: Why This Disease Matters 00:04:50 Why Women Face Double the Risk 00:09:48 The Menopause-Brain Connection 00:16:38 Hormone Replacement Therapy: The Truth 00:18:32 Sleep: Your Brain's Detox System 00:21:07 Muscle as a Cognitive Organ 00:24:47 Sprint Training: The Forgotten Brain Weapon 00:28:23 Food as Brain Code 00:29:49 The Power of Quality Relationships 00:30:50 Brain Code: Your Action Plan to include chapters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices