Six Simple Tips That Can Significantly Reduce Your Chance of Dementia
More than 55 million people around the world are living with dementia. Dementia is an umbrella word used to cover a number of degenerative illnesses that impair memory and cognition, and it affects about 55 million people globally.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 50% to 75% of cases. Other forms include frontotemporal dementia, which is much rarer. Recently, popular Hollywood star Bruce Willis was diagnosed with this disease.
Family history, race, and ethnicity are important dementia risk variables that are beyond of our control.
However, a recent study indicates that six lifestyle practices—exercise, social connection, leisure activities, restful sleep, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco—can dramatically lower our chance of dementia.
Researchers assigned participants in a Chinese study, which was just published in Journal of Affective Disorders, gave a score between zero and six according to the state of their lifestyle and followed them throughout a two-year period.
When the trial started, they were dementia-free and 60 years of age or older. According to the findings, people with a score of at least four had a 29% lower likelihood of exhibiting cognitive decline symptoms, which are a marker of dementia.
An 18% decreased chance of deterioration was associated with every one-point rise in the overall score.
On the other hand, people who led an inactive lifestyle and scored three points or lower were three times more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment than people who scored higher.
Exercise
Simply being active for ten minutes a day, most days of the week, was used to evaluate physical activity.
According to a recent study that was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, frequent exercise, even a few thousand steps a day, is linked to a greater brain volume, which suggests that less exercise is needed than previously believed to maintain cognitive function.
“Our research supports earlier studies that show being physically active is good for your brain.”
”Exercise helps preserve brain growth, which is important as we age and reduces the chance of dementia.”
Smoking
Participants who never smoked or who had quit were awarded one point towards total overall health. This reward system supports recent research that found that smoking cigarettes causes the brain to shrink and leads to a sharp increase in Alzheimer’s risk.
Senior study author Dr. Laura J. Bierut stated “Until recently, scientists ignored the effects of smoking on the brain, in part because we were focused on all the terrible effects of smoking on the lungs and the heart”
“But as we’ve started looking at the brain more closely, it’s become apparent that smoking is also really bad for your brain,” she added.
Alcohol
Individuals who indicated that they drank alcohol infrequently received a point toward living a healthy lifestyle. This is consistent with earlier study showing a connection between alcohol use and cognitive deterioration.
An 8% increased risk of dementia has been associated with three or more alcoholic drinks per day compared to no drinking at all.
Social Interaction
A point was given toward cognitive health to participants who engaged in social activities in their community more frequently than three times per month or three times per week.
Social isolation is a significant health risk to one’s health. The loneliness epidemic has been linked to early death, an increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, stress, and depressive symptoms in addition to an increased risk of dementia.
Unlike social media contacts, in-person socialization is required to activate the brain and foster a sense of connection.
Recreational Pursuits
A point was awarded for favorable health behaviors to participants who said they read books or newspapers every day, used the internet every day, or played cards at least twice a week. A purposeful and enjoyable technique to keep the mind active is to engage it.
Sleep Quality
The ability to fall asleep and stay asleep without difficulty is the definition of sleep quality according to researchers. It is commonly known that good sleep quality and cognitive function are related.
Access Built is a universal design build platform dedicated to connecting residential and commercial property owners with resources they need to create more accessible spaces. For more information or to schedule your FREE consultation, click here.
