In a new study, researchers found that combining more healthy lifestyle behaviors were linked to a much lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
They found people who adhered to four or all of the five specified healthy behaviors were found to have a 60% lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
The behaviors were physical activity, not smoking, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, a high-quality diet, and cognitive activities.
The research was conducted by a team at Rush University Medical Center and elsewhere.
In the study, the team analyzed data from nearly 3,000 research participants. These people had data available on their diet, lifestyle factors, genetics, and clinical assessments for Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers scored each participant based on five healthy lifestyle factors, all of which have important health benefits:
At least 150 minutes per week of moderate– to vigorous-intensity physical activity – Physical activity is an important part of healthy aging.
Not smoking – Established research has confirmed that even in people 60 or older who have been smoking for decades, quitting will improve health.
Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption – Limiting the use of alcohol may help cognitive health.
A high-quality, Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, which combines the Mediterranean diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet – The MIND diet focuses on plant-based foods linked to dementia prevention.
Engagement in late-life cognitive activities – Being intellectually engaged by keeping the mind active may benefit the brain.
The research team then compared the scores with outcomes of clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in the participants.
They found that compared to participants with no or one healthy lifestyle factors, the risk of Alzheimer’s was 37% lower in those with two to three, and 60% lower in those with four to five healthy lifestyle factors.
This study provides more evidence on how a combination of modifiable behaviors may mitigate Alzheimer’s disease risk.
The team emphasized that the combination of healthy lifestyle factors is key.
A 2017 research review from the concluded that evidence on lifestyle factors such as increasing physical activity, along with blood pressure management and cognitive training, is “encouraging although inconclusive” for preventing Alzheimer’s.
Since then, more research has emerged, such as the SPRINT MIND trial, which suggests intensive blood pressure control may slow age-related brain damage.
One author of the study is Klodian Dhana, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor at Rush University Medical Center.
The study is published in Neurology.
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