Dementia is a disease that affects the brain, causing memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior. It usually happens to older adults, but younger people can develop it too.
As researchers try to learn more about what causes dementia, one surprising factor has come up: air pollution.
Air pollution is a major issue worldwide. It is harmful to our lungs and heart, but scientists are now discovering it may also damage the brain.
A recent study explored how tiny particles in the air could be connected to dementia. These particles, called PM2.5, are so small that we cannot see them. They are often produced by car exhaust, factories, and other forms of pollution.
The study was conducted in Stockholm, Sweden, where researchers monitored more than 2,500 older adults living in the city for up to 12 years. During that time, 376 participants developed dementia.
The researchers collected information about the participants’ lifestyles, such as their diets, exercise habits, and overall health. They also measured levels of PM2.5 in the air where the participants lived.
The findings revealed two important things. First, the people who developed dementia were exposed to slightly higher levels of PM2.5 compared to those who did not get dementia.
Second, the scientists found that levels of two specific substances in the blood were connected to this risk. These substances, which help the brain function, were referred to as “body helpers” in the study.
One body helper comes from the food we eat, including meat, fish, milk, beans, and eggs. It is essential for the brain to work properly. The other helper is made naturally inside our cells and can turn into the first substance with the help of certain vitamins.
In people who developed dementia, the levels of these two body helpers were unbalanced. They had higher amounts of one and lower amounts of the other.
Even after considering other dementia risk factors like age, gender, smoking, and education, the researchers found that slightly higher PM2.5 levels increased the risk of dementia by 70%.
About half of this increased risk seemed to be related to the levels of the two body helpers. This means that air pollution and these substances may somehow work together to increase the chances of dementia.
While this study provides interesting insights, scientists do not yet fully understand how air pollution and these body helpers are connected to brain health. It is possible that air pollution harms the brain in several ways.
For example, tiny PM2.5 particles may cause inflammation in the brain or disrupt its normal functions. More research is needed to explain exactly what happens.
These findings highlight two important messages. First, clean air is crucial for overall health, including brain health. Second, our diets might play a role in protecting our brains. Eating foods rich in nutrients that support brain function could help lower the risk of dementia.
For people who want to keep their brains healthy, it’s a good idea to focus on both environmental and lifestyle factors. Avoiding exposure to air pollution, when possible, and eating a balanced diet with brain-friendly nutrients can make a difference.
Some researchers also suggest that exercise and diets like the MIND diet could help slow down or prevent cognitive decline in older adults.
The study was published in the journal Neurology, and it adds to growing evidence that air quality and brain health are connected.
Scientists are now calling for further studies to better understand this relationship. Until then, it is clear that taking care of the air we breathe and the food we eat is important for maintaining a healthy brain.
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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