Researchers have been studying how our lifestyle choices can affect our risk of getting dementia when we’re older. You know dementia, right?
It’s that sad illness that makes people forget things and can be really hard for families to deal with.
Well, this new research shows that even if your family history suggests you might be more likely to get dementia, making healthy choices can actually give you a fighting chance against it.
Seven Simple Steps to a Healthier You
The study we’re talking about based its findings on a simple checklist called “Life’s Simple 7.” These are seven straightforward steps anyone can follow to improve their heart and brain health:
- Stay Active: Get off the couch and move! Even a brisk walk counts.
- Eat Right: Fresh fruits and veggies should be the stars on your plate.
- Lose Weight: If you’re carrying extra pounds, shedding them can help your heart and brain.
- Don’t Smoke: This one’s a no-brainer. Smoking is bad for you, period.
- Watch Your Blood Pressure: Keep it in a healthy range to protect your heart and mind.
- Keep an Eye on Cholesterol: High cholesterol can lead to other health issues, so it’s best to manage it.
- Lower Your Blood Sugar: Too much sugar can mess with your energy and put you at risk for diabetes.
What Did the Study Find?
Researchers from the University of Mississippi Medical Center were led by a really smart person named Dr. Adrienne Tin.
They looked at more than 11,000 people, some with roots in Europe and some with roots in Africa, and watched them for 30 years to see who got dementia. They also took note of how well these folks followed the “Life’s Simple 7” steps.
Here’s the good news: Among the people with the highest risk of getting dementia because of their family history, those who followed these healthy steps had a lower risk of actually getting the disease.
For example, among people from Europe, each healthy choice they made reduced their dementia risk by 9%.
If they made a lot of these good choices, their risk could go down by up to 43%! For people from Africa, healthy living lowered the risk too, but the study couldn’t be as sure about the numbers because fewer people participated.
Now, the study did have some limits. For example, there weren’t enough people from Africa in the study to make the findings as strong as we’d like.
Also, many of the people with African roots came from just one place, so we need to be careful about saying these findings apply to everyone.
But this study is a big step forward. It suggests that we’re not just victims of our genes; we can fight back with good habits.
Why Does This Matter to Me?
Dementia is a growing concern around the world. Right now, about 50 million people globally are living with dementia, and that number could triple by 2050. That’s a lot of people and a lot of families affected.
The exciting thing about this study is it gives us some control over a situation where we might feel helpless. It says that by taking steps to live a healthier life today, we could protect our brains for the future.
So, the next time you’re thinking of skipping that workout or reaching for a sugary snack, remember: the choices you make could affect your future in a big way.
Even if your family history is stacked against you, you still have the power to change your destiny.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about walking patterns may help identify specific types of dementia, and common high blood pressure drugs may help lower your dementia risk.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that walking patterns may help identify specific types of dementia, and common high blood pressure drugs may help lower your dementia risk.
The study was published in Neurology.
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