When you have a leaky faucet you fix it, right? Because if you don’t it can lead to consequences like water damage. So why has the mainstream been insisting for years that a leaky brain isn’t something to be overly concerned about?

Known as “cerebral microbleeds,” one in five seniors has one of these slow drips in their brain. But we’ve been told to expect these bleeds as we age, and that they’re so small that they don’t typically indicate any kind of a risk.

Well if, like me, you think that simply ignoring blood leaking into your brain sounds like a bad idea, it turns out you’re right.

Researchers now say that small drip might actually be your first (maybe even your ONLY) early warning sign of one of the most terrifying diseases of aging, Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain microbleeds linked to dementia

In fact, the new study published in JAMA Neurology finds those microbleeds can do some serious damage, with folks suffering from them scoring lower on brain tests and eventually doubling their risk of dementia. And the bigger those slow leaks are the bigger your risk are.

If the bleeds occur in the lobes they can wreak havoc with your executive functions, which means they can affect your working memory, your ability to reason, your problem solving abilities and even your ability to plan and execute tasks.

I know it sounds scary—and it is—but don’t worry, I’m in your corner and I have the secret to plugging up those leaks and helping to keep your brain drip free.

It starts with something you can do right away, and that’s talk with your doctor about stopping your daily aspirin if you’re currently taking one. Blood thinning drugs like aspirin can increase your risk of microbleeds.

The truth is the “aspirin a day” regimen the mainstream was pushing so hard for years isn’t advisable for the majority of folks anyway. And while in some cases aspirin may still be needed, even the FDA has admitted they aren’t a good idea for preventing a first heart attack. (Don’t stop taking any drug without talking to your doctor first, of course.)

2 brain-supporting supplements may help protect your memory

Next, you’re going to want to try to shore up your blood-brain barrier by using supportive supplements that could help ward off leaks. In the long run, this could help protect your brain against cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s

There are two supplements in particular that you can start taking today that might keep you from battling cognitive decline in the future…

1. B Complex:

Vitamins B6, B12 and folate are required by your brain to function. But they also may help strengthen your blood brain barrier. Supplement’s containing these three B’s have been found to slow down the brain shrink we see with aging and boost cognition.

If you’re at higher risk for Alzheimer’s—either due to mild cognitive impairment or high levels of inflammation—these B vitamins could be particularly useful. In one study researchers found that a supplement containing these three B’s improved blood-brain barrier function which led to real world results… a slowing down of the progression of cognitive decline.

Thiamine, another one of the B’s, may help strengthen your blood-brain barrier as well.

2. Probiotics:

Bet you’re wondering what gut bugs have to do with your brain. Well, it turns out it could be a lot. In an animal study when researchers wiped out the gut bacteria in mice their blood-brain barrier began to deteriorate. But as soon as they repopulated their gut flora their blood brain barriers began to tighten back up.

Taking an antibiotic can wipe out your own supply of bacteria. Your diet and even your stress level can play a role in your gut flora as well. But taking a probiotic can help restore your good gut bugs and perhaps strengthen your blood brain barrier at the same time.