Our memories make us who we are, the way we see things, like to do certain things and the people we love. These are cherished memories that carry us throughout difficult times as well. As you grow old you are bound to forget a few things here and there, however, for people who have Alzheimer's, it’s a different story all together. This is a condition, according to Alzheimer's Association, that slowly affects your memory, thinking and behavior. It is a type of dementia that eventually grows severe enough to interfere with daily life like forgetting how to use your motor skills, forgetting your loved ones etc. Treatment for this disease involves medication that slows down the progress and symptoms of the disease as there is no cure for it. It helps improve their life quality during the onset of the disease. A lot of research has been done to find out what causes Alzheimer's and how we can lower the risk of it and one of the few ways you can avoid it is a simple dietary choice. How To Lower the risk of Alzheimer's With A Simple Change? A critical care physician is highlighting a dietary habit that could significantly decrease your chances of developing serious illnesses like cancer, chronic diseases, and Alzheimer’s. Dr. Neena Chandrasekaran, who is also a pulmonary specialist, shared this insightful information on TikTok (@neenziemd) as part of her "things they don't tell you" series, focusing this time on the powerful connection between what we eat and our health. In her video, she explains autophagy, a natural process our bodies undergo when we fast. What Is Autophagy And How Does It Help The Body & Mind According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is an internal cleansing process where the body systematically breaks down, recycles, and gets rid of damaged or toxic cells. Dr. Chandrasekaran explains that this process "has now been shown to reduce risks of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and works like an internal reset." She also points out that some religions incorporate fasting, like during Ramadan, and suggests that "the people who have fasted before due to religious reasons or holidays were actually onto something and have been found to have decreased rates of cancers Alzheimer’s, and other chronic conditions." She emphasizes that "fasting triggers autophagy and this is its own internal reset that has been found to really help the body reset itself with new cells to be grown." How Does Fasting Benefit Your Health? In a 2024 study published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that long term fasting, intermittent helps reduce metabolic disorders associated with cancer. Dr. Chandrasekaran explained that to see these benefits, the fasting "needs to be done for about eight weeks - or two months - in order to benefit from it." Referring to research recently published in Nature Communications, she noted that those who intermittently fasted didn't eat "big meals" but instead consumed several smaller meals. This group "experienced a reversal of brain ageing by MRIs," she added, stating that "intermittent fasting along with a good diet can improve cognitive function, decrease risk of Alzheimer’s dementia and other dementia down the line. This has also been shown to improve insulin resistance and decrease risk of diabetes."