THE NEW YORK POST – The Post spoke to Dr. Joel Salinas, a behavioral neurologist and chief medical officer at Isaac Health, who set the record straight on seven common misconceptions putting your brain health at risk.
Myth No. 1: Brain-boosting supplements and vitamins are proven to work
Walk down any supplement aisle, and you’ll spot plenty of products promising to clear “brain fog” or boost memory. But in reality, Salinas said, most of them have little to no evidence backing up their benefits.
“Most people can get the nutrients they need from a balanced diet, unless a health care provider finds a true deficiency,” he noted.
Myth No. 2: You can catch up on sleep and it won’t hurt your brain
“Sleep debt doesn’t work like a bank account,” Salinas said.
Consistently skimping on sleep — even if you try to make up for it on the weekend — still stresses your brain and increases your long-term risk for memory problems and dementia.
“Regular, good-quality sleep is what protects brain health,” he added.
Sleep, he explained, flushes waste from the brain and solidifies memories. Poor sleep, or untreated issues like sleep apnea, can raise your odds of cognitive decline over time.
Myth No. 3: All sweets are bad for the brain
“Too much sugar can harm your health, but not all sweets are the same,” he said. “Moderation and quality matter more than total avoidance.”
Take dark chocolate, for example. In small amounts, the bittersweet treat has been linked to better brain function in some studies.
Myth No. 4: Multitasking improves brain performance
If you think juggling emails, texts, and TikToks is making you sharper or more productive, you’re mistaken …
