Nearly HALF of all Dementia is Preventable

 

 

Hi Readers, Almost HALF of all dementia cases are PREVENTABLE! I have been promoting self-care and proactive healthy aging since I began my gerontology career in 2001. My credo is this: “You decide how you age.”  Examine your diet, lifestyle, and habits, then make changes. Don’t wait until age sixty, make changes NOW.  

People are fearful of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease as if they are bogymen lurking around every corner, ready to steal their keys or destroy their memory. While 10% of older adults are diagnosed with dementia, retaining optimum cognitive health is possible by taking proactive steps. There are numerous credible studies corroborating this approach. Last year, Lancet published the findings of a groundbreaking study in which researchers found that modifiable factors can prevent cognitive decline (Livingston et al., 2024). Review this list and see how many YOU can modify. Yes, I know: habits die hard.

·      High LDL (the “bad” cholesterol that builds up in arteries)

·      Low educational attainment

·      Head injury

·      Sedentary lifestyle

·      Smoking

·      Untreated vision loss

·      Hearing loss

·      Excessive alcohol consumption*

·      Hypertension (untreated high blood pressure)

·      Obesity

·      Diabetes Type II

·      Depression

·      Social isolation

·      Air pollution

In reviewing this study, I was intrigued by “vision loss” as a modifiable factor, as it was not included in earlier studies. “Vision loss increased the risk of dementia statistically by 47%” (Livingston et al., 2024) largely due diabetic neuropathy and underlying illnesses that attack the eyes and brain. Avoiding Type II Diabetes to reduce permanent vision loss and other complications is essential.

       Readers, scientists are also continuing to research other factors that may impact cognitive decline including lack of sleep, unhealthy diet, infections, and mental health conditions. They were not included in the list of fourteen modifiable factors but may be added when more studies are completed. More later. AgeDoc

Resources:

Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Liu, K. Y., Costafreda, S. G., Selbæk, G., Alladi, S., Ames, D., Banerjee, S., Burns, A., Brayne, C., Fox, N. C., Ferri, C. P., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Kivimäki, M., Larson, E. B., Nakasujja, N., Rockwood, K., Samus, Q., … Mukadam, N. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet (London, England), 404(10452), 572–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0

 

PubMed. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission - PubMed

 

*Review my blog article from March 8, 2022, No Benefits of Alcohol Consumption. Do not drink alcohol, ever. Abstinence is critical for optimum brain health.