5 golden rules to prevent dementia
While modern science has yet to discover a cure for dementia, following four out of five golden rules for healthy living lowers the risk of developing dementia by more than a third, a British study has found.
A review of academic studies and data funded by Age UK, a charity working with older people, suggest that lifestyle habits are responsible for 76 per cent of changes in the brain. The analysis, undertaken by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, found that more than three quarters of cognitive decline (age-related changes in brain skills) was accounted for by lifestyle and other environmental factors.
The growing body of research has dementia experts agreeing that making a few lifestyle changes could have a big long-term impact on dementia risk. Age UK hopes the new evidence will spur people to make important changes to stave off the risk of dementia.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director, told The Telegraph, “While there’s still no cure or way to reverse dementia, this evidence shows that there are simple and effective ways to reduce our risk of developing it to begin with.”
She continued, “What’s more, the changes that we need to make to keep our brains healthy are already proven to be good for the heart and overall health, so it’s common sense for us all to try to build them into our lives.
“The sooner we start, the better our chance of having a healthy later life.”
1. Exercise regularly
“The link between physical activity and cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity is well established, and these diseases in turn have been shown to be high risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia.”
2. Eat a Mediterranean diet
“The most validated scientific dietary advice for good cognitive health and reducing the risk of dementia is to eat a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fruit, nuts, cereals and fish — and low in meat, poultry and dairy products. A diet high in sugar, cholesterol, and trans-fats has been found to lead to poorer cognitive health for older people.”
3. Stop smoking
“There are significantly more new cases of Alzheimer’s per year among current smokers compared to people who have never smoked.”
4. Drink alcohol in moderation
“Alcohol has both damaging and protective effects on the brain, depending on how much people drink. Very heavy drinking, to the point of alcoholism, is a known cause of dementia as it results in the loss of brain tissue, particularly in areas of the brain related to memory.”
5. Prevent or treat diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity
“These are well established risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. All of the cardiovascular risk factors may increase the risk of dementia by increasing the risk of hardening of the arteries.”