Dementia is a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and social skills so much that they interfere with daily life. It’s not just one disease but a range of conditions that lead to a decline in mental ability over time.
Imagine finding it hard to remember the way back home or forgetting the names of close friends. That’s what dementia can do.
However, there’s good news. A recent study has shown that there’s a way to lower the risk of developing dementia, even for those who are genetically predisposed to it.
This means that even if you have family members with dementia, certain lifestyle habits can help reduce your risk.
The research, published by the American Academy of Neurology, highlights “Life’s Simple 7” – seven healthy habits recommended by the American Heart Association. These habits are not just good for your heart; they also protect your brain.
They include staying active, eating healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels in check.
In this study, over 11,000 participants, both of European and African ancestry, were followed for 30 years. On average, participants were around 54 years old at the beginning of the study.
Everyone shared how well they adhered to the seven health habits, and researchers calculated their genetic risk for dementia.
By the end of the study, many participants had developed dementia, but those who followed the healthy habits had a significantly lower risk – regardless of their genetic predisposition.
For people of European ancestry, each one-point increase in their lifestyle score (which measured how closely they followed the healthy habits) was linked to a 9% lower risk of developing dementia.
This finding emphasizes that lifestyle choices can significantly impact our health outcomes.
However, it’s important to note that the study had limitations. There were fewer participants of African ancestry, which means more research is needed to confirm these findings across different population groups. But the message is clear: your daily habits matter.
Regardless of your genetic background, adopting “Life’s Simple 7” can make a difference. Being physically active, eating a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, and managing health metrics like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can all contribute to lowering your risk of dementia.
This study serves as a powerful reminder that we have some control over our health outcomes. By choosing healthier habits, we can potentially reduce our risk of dementia and improve our overall quality of life.
It’s never too late to start making changes, so consider how you can incorporate “Life’s Simple 7” into your daily routine.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about 6 foods you can eat to improve mental health, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and results showing Omega-3 fats may help reduce depression.
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