Prof. Dr. Murat Terzi emphasizes that brain health begins before birth and depends on lifelong healthy habits, including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, quality sleep, and effective management of chronic health conditions.

Prof. Dr. Murat Terzi, Head of the Department of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) and President of the Turkish Neurological Society, has emphasized that protecting brain health requires lifelong healthy habits rather than occasional awareness campaigns.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) as part of activities marking World Brain Day, observed annually on 22 July by the World Federation of Neurology, Prof. Dr. Terzi said neurology clinics across Türkiye and the Turkish Neurological Society are carrying out awareness activities to highlight the importance of brain health.

"Brain health is not something that can be promoted on just one day. Regular sleep, healthy eating habits, and regular physical activity should become part of everyday life. These habits should begin even before birth and continue throughout infancy so that healthy brains can build a healthier future."

Environmental and Genetic Factors Both Matter

Dr. Terzi explained that many factors can negatively affect brain health.

Among the leading environmental risk factors, he identified environmental pollution, electromagnetic exposure, high salt consumption, smoking, obesity, and unhealthy eating habits. He also noted that genetic predisposition plays an important role, explaining that individuals with a family history of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or Parkinson's disease face a higher risk of developing neurological conditions.

Brain Health Begins Before Birth

Emphasizing that brain health begins in the womb, Prof. Dr. Terzi said the quality of future generations depends largely on the brain health established early in life.

"The healthier our brains are, the healthier our future generations and our future will be. That is why we place great importance on environmental factors and daily lifestyle habits. We encourage people to eat a balanced diet, preferably following a Mediterranean-style eating pattern that emphasizes vegetables and fruits while limiting salt and fat. Reducing salt intake and avoiding smoking and alcohol are particularly important because they can have harmful effects on brain health."

He also stressed the importance of limiting unnecessary screen exposure and reducing exposure to electromagnetic fields whenever possible.

"Especially indoors and while sleeping at night, keeping Wi-Fi routers, mobile phones, and other sources of electromagnetic fields away from us is beneficial for brain health. These precautions should begin during pregnancy and continue after birth as children grow and develop."

Exercise and Chronic Disease Management Help Protect the Brain

Dr. Terzi highlighted regular physical activity as another essential component of brain health.

"Walking or exercising at least two or three times a week, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding obesity are extremely important. These measures significantly reduce the risk of stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases."

He added that chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes should also be carefully controlled, as they can adversely affect brain health

"If we have medical conditions other than neurological disorders, they should also be kept under control because they can negatively impact brain health."

Protecting Brain Health Throughout Life

Dr. Terzi noted that as populations continue to age, neurological disorders are becoming increasingly common.

He explained that conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis are major causes of cognitive, mental, and physical disability in middle-aged and older adults.

"The more we raise public awareness, the more effectively we can promote preventive measures for brain health. Once neurological disease develops, our priority is to protect the brain as much as possible. We help our patients manage their neurological conditions by providing appropriate medications, physical activity programs, physiotherapy, and dietary recommendations tailored to their individual needs."

Seek Medical Advice Without Delay

Dr. Terzi described World Brain Day as an important opportunity to increase public awareness but stressed that protecting brain health requires a lifelong commitment rather than a single annual event.

He concluded by encouraging people to seek professional medical evaluation if they experience symptoms that could indicate a neurological disorder.

"Brain health is essential not only for the brain itself but also for the proper functioning of the body's other organs. We encourage everyone to take good care of their brain. If you experience symptoms such as persistent headaches, seizures, difficulty walking, or vision loss, you should consult a neurology clinic without delay."