Dementia is a disease that affects the brain, causing problems with memory, clear thinking, and behavior.
Although it primarily affects older adults, younger people can also be impacted.
Air pollution is a significant problem in many parts of the world. It’s known to harm our lungs and heart, but now researchers are finding it might also be bad for our brains.
A new study has started exploring this connection, and the findings are quite intriguing.
The study suggests there could be a link between tiny particles in the air, specific substances in our bodies, and the risk of developing dementia. The focus was on particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, which are very small dust particles that we can’t see. These particles usually come from car exhausts and factory smoke.
The researchers also looked at two substances, referred to here as “body helpers.” One of these is found in foods like meat, fish, milk products, beans, and eggs. The brain needs this substance to function properly. The other helper is produced inside our cells and can be converted into the first helper with the aid of some vitamins.
The study was conducted in Stockholm, Sweden, monitoring over 2,500 older adults living in the city center for up to 12 years. During this period, 376 participants developed dementia. These individuals were interviewed, had blood tests, and filled out forms about their exercise routines and diets.
The researchers discovered that those who developed dementia had been exposed to slightly higher levels of PM2.5 compared to those who did not develop dementia. Additionally, these individuals had more of one body helper and less of the other in their blood.
Even after accounting for other dementia risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, and education, the scientists found that a small increase in PM2.5 levels raised the risk of dementia by 70%. Notably, about half of this increased risk seemed to be linked to the levels of the body helpers.
The study suggests that air pollution and body helpers might somehow work together to increase the risk of dementia. While this study is an important starting point, we don’t yet fully understand how air pollution and these body helpers are connected to dementia.
Researchers believe that dirty air could be damaging the brain in multiple ways, and they call for further studies to clarify these mechanisms.
In the meantime, this study underscores the importance of clean air for our overall health and suggests that our diet, which affects levels of these body helpers, could also play a role in brain health.
For those concerned about brain health, it’s worth considering both environmental factors and dietary choices. Clean air is vital, and maintaining a healthy diet rich in nutrients that support brain function is also important.
If you’re interested in learning more about brain health, consider reading studies about how inflammation might slow down cognitive decline in older adults and how low vitamin D levels could speed it up.
Additionally, explore research on common exercises that protect against cognitive decline and the MIND diet, which may protect cognitive function and prevent dementia.
The findings from this study were published in the journal Neurology.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about low choline intake linked to higher dementia risk, and how eating nuts can affect your cognitive ability.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
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