A recent study presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) suggests that a healthy lifestyle can almost halve the risk of developing dementia in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
This ground-breaking study involved nearly 450,000 U.K. Biobank participants and was conducted by researchers from the University of Glasgow.
The Study’s Scope and Methodology
Led by Ms. Jirapitcha Boonpor and Dr. Carlos Celis-Morales, the research team tracked 445,364 participants, with an average age of 55.6 years, over a median period of 9.1 years.
The participants, 54.6% of whom were female, were free of dementia at the study’s outset, with 5.5% (24,735) reporting T2D at the beginning.
Participants filled out questionnaires that covered various lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and sleep.
They were then divided into three groups: most healthy, moderately healthy, and least healthy.
The Findings
The results were significant:
Those with T2D had a 33% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those without.
Participants with unhealthy lifestyles had a 65% increased risk of developing dementia.
A healthy lifestyle reduced the risk of dementia by 45% among those with T2D.
Implications and Recommendations
Dr. Carlos Celis-Morales emphasized that adhering to a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet, physical activity, and adequate sleep, can significantly attenuate the effect of T2D on dementia risk.
“We’ve shown that following these healthy lifestyle guidelines also significantly reduces the increase in risk of dementia experienced by people with diabetes,” he said.
Ms. Jirapitcha Boonpor added, “There is no cure for dementia, to date, which makes its prevention all the more important.”
What You Can Do
If you or a loved one has type 2 diabetes, these steps can be a crucial preventive measure against dementia:
Balanced Diet: Incorporate fruits, vegetables, and oily fish into your diet while reducing processed and red meat.
Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity can improve your metabolic health and potentially your brain health.
Sleep Quality: Adequate sleep duration is essential for cognitive function and overall well-being.
Limit Alcohol and Smoking: Both are risk factors for dementia, and their reduction can improve your health outlook.
Final Thoughts
The study is particularly significant given the absence of a cure for dementia and the increasing global prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
By demonstrating the impact of lifestyle choices on dementia risk among those with T2D, this research could serve as a valuable guide for healthcare policy and individual lifestyle changes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about new way to achieve type 2 diabetes remission, and one avocado a day keeps diabetes at bay.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about 5 dangerous signs you have diabetes-related eye disease, and results showing why pomegranate is super fruit for people with diabetes.
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