It is said that you’re only as old as you feel, but according to renowned neurologist Vincent Fortanasce, MD, your brain is as old as your daily diet and lifestyle habits make it.

"There can be a huge swing in brain-memory longevity, depending on factors such as diet, stress, sleep and mental stimulation," he says. In his book, The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription, there is a risk-profile assessment of 25 questions. Depending on how many you answer "true" to, your brain may actually be as much as 15 years younger than your body age – or 10 years older. Below are a dozen questions. The more you answer "true" to, the younger your brain is, and the better chance you have of delaying or preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

1. I get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
   
   
2. I eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables (daily) that are high in antioxidants.
   
   
3. I take fish oil supplements high in omega-3 fatty acids or flaxseed supplements at least 5 times per week.
   
   
4. I exercise most days of the week for at least 30 minutes each time (total of 3 hours or more of strenuous exercise weekly).
   
   
5. My cholesterol is less than 200 or my LDL (bad) cholesterol is below 110.
   
   
6. I am not obese (women: less than 20 pounds overweight, men: less than 30 pounds overweight).
   
   
7. I have never smoked cigarettes.
   
   
8. I have normal blood pressure.
   
   
9. I do not have diabetes.
   
   
10. I do not have a sleep disorder such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea or untreated insomnia.
    
    
11. I have a strong support group and enjoy many activities with friends, colleagues, and family members.
    
    
12. I read challenging books, do crossword puzzles, or Sudoku, engage in activities that require active learning, memorization, computation, analysis, and problem-solving at least 5 times a week.

"If you score high, keep up the good work," says Dr. Fortanasce. "But if you find a big negative disparity between your Actual Brain Age and Chronological Age, it’s time to make significant lifestyle changes and to consult your doctor about these Alzheimer’s risk factors and to explore if early treatment is needed."