An article recommended lifestyle behaviors critical to reducing the risk of dementia.
Main point: “…eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking or drinking alcohol to excess and maintaining good sleep habits and a healthy body weight,”
More about it:
- 3 is the magic number: “Adults ages 50 to 73 who embrace at least three of the behaviors can reduce their dementia risk by 30%.”
- When the deck seems stacked: “…genetics and non-genetic factors, such as dietary patterns, physical activity and smoking status, affect an individual’s overall risk.”
- Risk factors can include “Older age and high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and depression also can increase a person’s risk for the condition.”
- Do what you can control by making the most of “opportunities for reducing risk by addressing those non-genetic factors.”
Takeaways:
- Healthy lifestyle behaviors included the big 3: “…eating a healthy diet with more fruits and vegetables and less processed meat and refined grains; meeting national exercise guidelines by engaging in 150 or more minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week; and sleeping 6 to 9 hours each day.”
- Other factors included “drinking alcohol in moderation, not smoking and not being obese.”
- The bottom line is “starting with small changes, such as engaging in at least three or more healthy lifestyle behaviors, can significantly lower a person’s risk for dementia.”