Focusing on brain health through lifestyle choices can help slow cognitive decline that can begin in your 30s and become more pronounced as we age.

“Although you can’t prevent cognitive decline, you can slow it,” said Dr. Norman Bettle, a neurologist with Novant Health Inc.

“We can make choices now to help our brain keep remembering, learning and thinking clearly for as long as possible.”

Bettle said he cautions patients that by your 30s and 40s, you might be worse at learning new things than you used to be. By your 50s and 60s, memory, retrieval, multitasking and paying attention can become harder.

The good news, according to Bettie, is that most individuals can adapt successfully and consistently through judgment and experience gained over their life.

As a result, Bettle said, “your

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