Groundbreaking research recently published in JAMA Neurology reveals 15 lifestyle and health factors that can significantly increase the risk of early dementia.
This condition, which manifests itself with first signs before the age of 65, affects a significant part of the population.
The research insights are drawn from an extensive analysis of over 350,000 people under the age of 65 from the UK Biobank.
A sample group of 350,000 people: what is Britain's biobank?
UK Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource containing de-identified genetic, lifestyle and health information and biological samples from half a million participants in the UK.
It is the most comprehensive and widely used dataset of its kind, and is accessible worldwide to approved researchers conducting health-related research that is in the public interest.
15 risk factors prepare the ground for dementia among adults, photo: Photo: Freepik
15 risk factors
The study delved into 39 potential risk factors, and eventually found 15 significant ones.
Intriguingly, these factors are not only relevant for young people but also prepare the ground for dementia among adults:
Low formal education Lower
socioeconomic status
Two copies of the APOE4 gene
Long-term alcohol consumption (more than 14 units per week)
Social isolation
Vitamin D deficiency
High levels of C-reactive protein (high values indicate various inflammatory conditions)
Lower hand grip strength
Abstinence long-term from alcohol
hearing loss
diabetes
heart disease
depression
orthostatic hypotension (a state of sharp drop in blood pressure when changing position)
stroke
Some of the 15 identified factors are manageable and controllable by us, such as orthostatic hypertension, depression and alcohol use disorder.
However, less modifiable are low socioeconomic status and inheritance of two copies of the APOE4 apolipoprotein gene.
This gene codes for a protein related to carrying fats and cholesterol in the blood.
It was found that people who carry a certain form of it (allele) have up to seven times the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease compared to people who do not carry this allele.
These factors converge into basic mechanisms that endanger brain health, mainly through inflammation and impairment of brain metabolism.
This impaired metabolism, particularly concerning glucose utilization, is a critical pathway leading to dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
Physical fitness is one way to prevent early dementia.
Women in a yoga group, photo: @tonodiaz / Freepik
You can lower the risk of dementia
It was found that treatment of modifiable risk factors at an early stage can significantly reduce the risk of young dementia and late dementia.
The Alzheimer's Association estimates that between 220,000 and 640,000 people are diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's or related dementia in the United States each year.
This type of dementia is more aggressive than later dementia.
The research shows that treating these 15 risk factors may significantly lower the risk of both types of dementia.
The 2020 report of the Lancet Committee on the Prevention of Dementia supports the idea that eliminating these risk factors may reduce the likelihood of dementia.
Heart-healthy eating characterized by a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts and fish, while limiting red meat and processed food.
Mediterranean diet, photo: @jcomp / Freepik
Lifestyle habits to lower the risk of dementia
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that nearly 40% of Alzheimer's disease and dementia can be prevented or delayed by changing lifestyle factors and preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
It is recommended to engage in physical activity to help prevent dementia, which can improve neurocognitive function, and improve mood.
They also recommend a Mediterranean diet (a heart-healthy eating pattern characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts and fish, while limiting red meat and processed foods), learning cognitive techniques, and stress reduction and mood enhancing practices, stimulation social, formal education, and a continuous state of lifelong learning.
It is also important to keep the blood sugar level under strict control and to get enough sleep.
The time to take preventive action is now, because modifiable changes in cognitive function begin up to three decades before changes in cognitive function are first recognized.
In conclusion, the study not only provides a deeper understanding of the risk factors associated with young-onset dementia but also highlights the critical role of proactive health and lifestyle choices in reducing these risks.
Changes that affect the risk of dementia can begin up to three decades before cognitive decline is felt, underscoring the importance of early prevention.
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