How to Improve Brain Health & Offset Neurodegeneration | Dr. Gary Steinberg

A stroke is effectively a “heart attack of the brain”: a disruption of blood flow that deprives neurons of oxygen and glucose. About 87% are ischemic (clots in brain or upstream arteries), and ~13% are hemorrhagic (vessel rupture). Symptoms can include sudden weakness or paralysis (often on one side), speech or comprehension problems, vision loss or double vision, imbalance, or sudden cognitive changes. A TIA is a transient version of these deficits; many resolve quickly but can still leave detectable damage on MRI and signal high future stroke risk.

Smoking, uncontrolled hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, obesity, inactivity, and certain drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine) markedly increase stroke and aneurysm risk by damaging vessel walls and promoting clots. First‑generation high‑estrogen oral contraceptives plus smoking were especially dangerous; modern pills are safer but still not ideal for women with prior stroke or high risk. Statins lower LDL and also directly improve vessel integrity, so Steinberg often recommends them even when cholesterol is not very high, particularly in high‑risk patients.

Aggressive chiropractic manipulation of the neck can tear carotid or vertebral artery walls (arterial dissection), forming clots that embolize to the brain and cause stroke; Steinberg explicitly advises against cervical manipulation because even rare catastrophic outcomes are unacceptable. Similarly, unregulated stem cell therapies—especially outside the U.S. or in loosely overseen clinics—pose real risks, including tumors and blindness (as in a Florida eye clinic). He strongly recommends avoiding any stem cell treatment not tested in rigorous, controlled clinical trials.

Concussions are molecular injuries that usually do not show on MRI but can be detected with sophisticated exams, including eye-tracking baselines and post‑injury testing. Total sensory deprivation (sitting in a dark room for long periods) is not advisable; instead, reduce cognitive and physical load without over‑stressing the brain, then gradually reintroduce activity. Repeated concussions—especially in contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer (notably in female players)—are now linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), altering Steinberg’s view on youth tackle football.

What’s good for the heart is generally good for the brain: prioritize blood pressure control (often aiming for ≤120 systolic but individualized), exercise regularly, eat minimally processed foods, manage weight, avoid smoking and recreational stimulants, and limit alcohol (emerging data suggest that no alcohol may be optimal, with <2 drinks/week likely low‑risk). Adequate sleep (7–9 hours), hydration to maintain clear urine, and avoiding chronic overexertion and stress are key; Steinberg describes his own collapse from overwork and under‑sleep as a turning point that changed his habits.