The Tasty Stew That Helps Dr. Jonathan Rasouli Maintain His Memory
Most of us encounter the word "dementia"
somewhere between our 30s and 40s. At first, we worry about our parents
and older relatives, and only then do we slowly begin to truly
understand how important it is to protect our brain. This is crucial to
preserving our memories, our ability to think clearly, and our
connection to the world over time. The good news is that recent studies
show that what we eat may directly impact the risk of cognitive decline
in old age and even delay the development of diseases like Alzheimer’s
and dementia in general. This is where Dr. Jonathan Rasouli comes in—a
neurosurgeon who isn’t afraid to step into the kitchen and cook with a
medical book in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other. Dr. Rasouli
has a dish he prepares for himself every week that might look like just
another homemade stew with vegetables and lentils, but there’s a good
chance it’s the smartest meal you’ll put in your pot and stomach soon.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s - What Do We Know
and What Can We Do to Protect Ourselves?
It’s important to note that while these are two terms we hear more and
more about as the years go by, they don’t describe exactly the same
thing. "Dementia" is a general term that describes a decline in
cognitive function: memory problems, difficulty with orientation, poor
judgment, and changes in behavior or language. It’s not a single disease
but a medical condition that can stem from various causes. Alzheimer’s,
on the other hand, is the most common cause of dementia because it’s a
neurodegenerative disease that progressively and irreversibly damages
the brain. All Alzheimer’s is dementia, but not all dementia is
Alzheimer’s.
In other types of dementia, such as vascular dementia (caused by strokes
or impaired blood flow to the brain), it’s sometimes possible to
prevent further deterioration by carefully managing blood pressure,
diabetes, and cholesterol levels. It’s also important not to neglect the
mental and social aspects—people who continue to challenge themselves
mentally (e.g., through reading, learning, solving crosswords, etc.),
maintain social connections, and participate in activities often retain
higher cognitive function over time.
In the case of Alzheimer’s, the damage begins in the brain areas
responsible for memory and gradually spreads to other functions. The
exact causes of the disease are still not fully clear, but there is
evidence linking Alzheimer’s to genetic, inflammatory, and environmental
factors. To reduce the risk of developing the disease, it’s recommended
to maintain a healthy diet (such as the Mediterranean diet or the MIND
diet), engage in regular physical activity, protect heart and vascular
health, avoid smoking, and ensure adequate sleep. The earlier you start,
the better your chances of delaying the process, and now we’ll show you
a tasty and simple way to do so.
From the Operating Room to the Kitchen: Dr.
Rasouli’s Recipe
Dr. Jonathan Rasouli is not exactly what people imagine when they think
of a surgeon. He is indeed a senior spine neurosurgeon at Northwell
Health in New York, but the wisdom he applies in the operating room
isn’t reserved solely for scientific papers—he cooks with it. In recent
years, Dr. Rasouli has been explaining to others how much impact diet
has on memory and how delicious and healthy it is to use it to protect
the brain. Rasouli believes that diet is not only a therapeutic tool but
also a means of prevention—especially when it comes to brain health.
According to him, there are plenty of things we can’t control when it
comes to dementia or Alzheimer’s, but there are also things we can, and
the food we eat is one of them. After years of medical research and
plenty of kitchen experiments, he developed a simple recipe that he eats
every week. A warm lentil stew with spinach, garlic, and turmeric—easy
to prepare, nutritious, delicious, and above all, brain-boosting.
Dr. Rasouli’s Recipe – A Heartwarming,
Brain-Boosting Lentil Stew See the recipe in m recipe blog please
Dr. Rasouli didn’t reinvent the wheel. His stew is based on the
principles of the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet mentioned
earlier. Studies have shown that adhering to a menu tailored to these
methods may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by up to 53%. “It’s not
magic—it’s simply understanding what your body needs and giving it that
regularly,” says the doctor. “I make the following dish at the end of
the week, and it lasts almost the entire week,” he shares. “It’s
convenient, healthy, and gives me peace of mind—both in body and mind.”
In Summary
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from Dr. Rasouli, it’s that you don’t
need a medical degree to start protecting your brain—just good
intentions and one simple pot. This dish won’t permanently or completely
protect your brain from dementia or Alzheimer’s, but it reminds us that
big changes start with small steps: the right seasoning, smart dietary
choices, and care for our health. So, before you head out shopping next
time, it might be worth adding some spinach, lentils, and turmeric to
your cart and cooking for yourself and your loved ones something that
could become a small, nourishing tradition for good memory, in body and
soul.