PARIS – Exercise regularly, quit smoking and follow the Mediterranean diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and lean meat. In a new analysis, British researchers outline five ways to keep dementia at bay.
Adopting just four of measures could suffice in keeping your brain healthy, according to charity Age UK.
The measures include: regular exercise, healthy eating, giving up smoking, drinking in moderation and maintaining a healthy body weight.
“While there’s still no cure or way to reverse dementia, this evidence shows that there are simple and effective ways to reduce our risk of developing it to begin with,” Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, told British reporters.
READ MORE: What are the early warning signs and symptoms of dementia?
“What’s more, the changes that we need to make to keep our brains healthy are already proven to be good for the heart and overall health, so it’s common sense for us all to try to build them into our lives. The sooner we start, the better our chance of having a healthy later life,” she explained.
The report pulled in a series of academic studies. It echoes the sentiments of another UK report released this fall.
READ MORE: What Alzheimer’s disease and heart health, diabetes have in common
This year in its sixth annual report, Alzheimer’s Disease International pushed aside projections and estimates and zeroed in on how everyday people can keep dementia away. While it’s a disease in the brain, it shares similar risk factors as heart disease and other chronic conditions.
“From a public health perspective, it is important to note that most risk factors for dementia overlap with those for other major non-communicable diseases,” Marc Wortmann, ADI’s executive director, said.
“The takeaway here is that there are things you can do to increase your brain health and those are the same things that are good for your heart,” Wortmann told Global News from London, England.
Diabetes can increase the risk of dementia by 50 per cent. Obesity and lack of physical exercise are also important risk factors for diabetes and high blood pressure. In turn, they’re also risk factors for dementia.
Take up regular exercise, follow a healthy diet and quit smoking, the report suggests.
READ MORE: ‘Woefully unprepared’ for world dementia epidemic, report warns
Smoking is “strongly linked” to dementia risk. The report points to research that shows smokers are at a higher risk – ex-smokers have the same odds as those who have never smoked at all.
Keep your brain challenged, too. People who have had better educational opportunities have a lower risk of dementia later on in life. It’s especially important in mid-life when changes in the brain appear.
Because these diseases overlap, ADI is collaborating with international cancer, heart disease and diabetes organizations, Wortmann said.
carmen.chai@globalnews.ca
Follow @Carmen_Chai
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