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BITESIZE | The Most Important Daily Habits That Could Add Decades to Your Life & Keep Your Brain Young | Dr Darshan Shah #609

Jan 9, 2026 26m 4s 16 insights
Did you know that your daily habits directly affect the speed at which your brain is ageing and your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease in the future? Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests. Today’s clip is from episode 573 of the podcast with medical doctor, board-certified surgeon, and expert in preventive health, Dr Darshan Shah. This was one of the most-listened-to podcast episodes in the UK in 2025, and one that clearly resonated with so many of you. In this clip, Darshan shares practical advice that could transform how you think about your health and we explore some of the most important daily habits that could add decades to your life.  These practical, evidence-based changes can help you feel better not just now, but for decades to come. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://drinkag1.com/livemore Show notes and the full podcast are available at https://drchatterjee.com/573 Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore⁠⁠ For other podcast platforms go to ⁠⁠https://fblm.supercast.com.
Actionable Insights

1. Eliminate Ultra-Processed Foods

Make the single most impactful dietary change by eliminating or drastically reducing ultra-processed foods, which are linked to increased all-cause mortality and inflammation, naturally leading to healthier eating.

2. Start with Simple, Whole Meals

Begin your dietary shift by planning and consistently eating three simple meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) made with only 2-4 whole ingredients, then gradually expand your repertoire of healthy, home-cooked options.

3. Prioritize Home Cooking

Take control of your nutrition by cooking at home with whole, natural, and ideally organic ingredients, as this is a game-changer for overall health compared to consuming commercially prepared foods.

4. Break Sedentary Periods

Counteract the detrimental effects of sitting for more than four hours by taking an ’exercise snack’ every 45 minutes, moving for 3-5 minutes (e.g., walking, air squats, light weights), as gym workouts alone don’t negate prolonged sitting.

5. Monitor Inflammation with HSCRP

Ask your doctor to check your highly sensitive C-reactive protein (HSCRP) levels quarterly or semi-annually, as this simple blood test is a key indicator of inflammation, often originating in the gut.

6. Maintain Excellent Oral Health

Prevent systemic inflammation and reduce the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease by flossing regularly and visiting your dentist at least every six months.

7. Reduce Environmental Toxin Exposure

Be mindful of and actively reduce your exposure to man-made toxins present in air, water, food, and skin products, as toxin buildup is a critical, often overlooked, pillar of health.

8. Manage Chronic Stress

Actively work to manage chronic stress and address any hormonal dysregulation, as high cortisol levels and hormonal imbalances predispose you to diseases like Alzheimer’s and accelerate aging.

9. Avoid Repeated Head Trauma

Protect your brain health by avoiding sports and activities that involve repeated head trauma, especially during childhood and adolescence, as this significantly increases the risk of dementia later in life.

10. Embrace Small, Consistent Improvements

Understand that making small, consistent 1% improvements daily or weekly in one health area (e.g., steps, sleep, HRV) accumulates into massive positive changes over time.

11. Utilize Wearables for Self-Monitoring

Leverage affordable wearables (e.g., Fitbit, Oura Ring, Whoop) to track key health metrics like daily steps, Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and sleep scores, empowering you to monitor and improve your health.

12. Don’t Be Limited by Genetics

Challenge the belief that you are destined for diseases like Alzheimer’s due to genetics, as lifestyle changes offer a very high chance of prevention, even with genetic susceptibility.

13. Focus on 80-20 Health Principles

Prioritize the 20% of health actions that yield 80% of the results, avoiding ‘paralysis by over-analysis’ from overwhelming information and ensuring foundational habits are solid before exploring advanced biohacking.

14. Increase Daily Walking

Integrate more walking into your day, such as walking during meetings or after every meal, to improve overall health and significantly reduce blood glucose levels.

15. Explore AG1 for Gut Health

Consider incorporating AG1, a daily health drink with five tested strains of gut bacteria, into your routine to support digestion and enrich your gut microbiome.

16. Access Free Biomarker Guide

Download the free PDF guide from drshah.com/biomarker to learn about 10 essential biomarkers to track, along with their normal ranges and significance for your health.