A neurologist explains the importance of having good muscle mass: "It's essential to prevent disease and cancer."

Having strong muscles can be key to preventing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's . This is what neurologist Chema González , who has been trying to "preach the message of brain prevention," stated on social media for some time.

In one of his latest TikTok videos, González argues that having muscle mass goes beyond a physical or aesthetic issue: "Healthy muscle mass is going to be essential for preventing not only brain disease, but also cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health." For him, in fact, strength training, as well as exercising and staying physically active, should be seen as "a vital necessity" that cannot be escaped.

Given this situation, González also spoke about other aspects of health care that go beyond exercise. These include, for example, diet and taking care of what we eat.

"A healthy diet with healthy fats like olive oil, omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish, and nuts , such as walnuts, has clearly been shown to improve brain health," she emphasized. Therefore, she recommends prioritizing fresh, natural foods and avoiding refined sugars and flours, as well as ultra-processed products.

Another highlight is sleep, as sleep helps our brains clear waste. " Sleep is an absolutely essential physiological function for your brain to function properly," says González.

He also recommends seeking "moments to mentally pause, to reflect, and to take care of your emotional health." In this regard, this expert maintains that we live in a "society of brains addicted to cell phones, screens, and the rewards of constant stimulation," which is leading us to a "pandemic of anticipatory anxiety." "Stop worrying about the future and focus on what's in front of you today," he advises.

Social activity and the harm of alcohol and tobacco

In his video, González also explains the importance of cognitive and social activity for brain health. He encourages people to "never stop talking, sharing with other people, and engaging in dialogue..." and encourages all kinds of activities, such as drawing, painting, playing instruments, crafts, dancing, reading, or studying. "The day you retire and stop working, your world can't become impoverished and everything that stimulated you mentally disappears," he emphasizes.

He also warns of the damage that alcohol, drugs, and tobacco use can cause to the brain. "Alcohol is a direct neuronal toxicant that will cause you to progressively lose neurons , and cannabis will alter your dopaminergic neurotransmission."

Tobacco and alcohol are "cardiovascular risk factors and will increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, stroke, and cerebrovascular disease in general," González maintains in his TikTok post.