Switching to a healthy lifestyle can reduce the chance of developing dementia in people at high risk for dementia in a direct family member. Scientists from Iowa State University spoke about this at a conference of the American Heart Association.
Dementia in a family member is a serious risk factor for you to have it, the authors of a new study point out. Such a factor can increase the likelihood of developing it by almost 75% compared to the risk in people without relatives suffering from this condition.
“Dementia in the family is associated with both genetic and non-genetic factors: dietary patterns, physical activity, smoking. This means that there may be an opportunity to reduce this risk by addressing non-genetic factors,” explained Angelique Brellenthin, associate professor at the University of Iowa, co-author of the study.
How to reduce the risk of dementia without medication
Of course, before the onset of old age, many people have a question about how to keep the mind sound, memory strong, and consciousness clear.
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In the study, scientists analyzed data on 302,000 participants in the British Biobank. At the time of the start of the observation, then they were 50-73 years old, none of them suffered from dementia. They filled out detailed questionnaires about their family and lifestyle. The scientists «awarded» them one point for each of these factors of a healthy lifestyle (healthy habits):
- Healthy eating with plenty of fruits and vegetables and little processed food.
- Physical activity — at least 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity per week.
- Sleep — 6 to 9 hours a day.
- No alcohol abuse.
- Non-smoking.
- Normal weight (not obese).
Over 8 years of follow-up, dementia developed in 0.6% of study participants. People with a family history of dementia had about a 70% higher risk of dementia. However, a healthy lifestyle (6 points) cut this risk by half compared to those who scored no more than 2 points. People with three or more healthy habitsthey were 30% less likely to develop dementia.
WHO releases first recommendations for preventing dementia: they contain healthy lifestyles and no dietary supplements
According to the first WHO guidance, reducing the risk of developing dementia is associated with regular physical activity, a healthy balanced diet, smoking cessation, reducing alcohol consumption, and maintaining normal blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
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The authors of the study believe that these data suggest that even small changes (just three healthy habits) can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia in people with a family history of this disorder.< /p>