How Can You Reduce the Risk of Dementia?

Despite the best efforts of organisations like the Dementia Discovery Fund, a cure for disorders like Alzheimer’s is yet to be found. With around 850,000 Brits suffering from dementia and the number set to rise to 1 million by 2025, funding is more important than ever. But according to some experts, nine easy lifestyle changes are all that’s needed to reduce the risk of dementia.

The review was penned by the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care (LCDPIC), and pinpointed nine potentially modifiable risk factors linked to various forms of dementia. So what’s on the list? According to the LCDPIC all nine of the below play a role:

• Low levels of education

According to the researchers lack of secondary school education is responsible for 7.5% of the risk of developing dementia.

• Mid-life hearing loss

While the relationship between hearing loss and dementia is relatively new the team suspects that it could fast-track dementia by adding stress to an already vulnerable brain. Hearing loss could also heighten feelings of social isolation, and could account for over 9% of the risk of developing dementia.

• Physical inactivity

As well as maintaining a healthy body, LCDPIC researchers assert that lack of physical activity represents 2.6% of the risk of dementia onset.

• High blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes and obesity

Appearing to be interlinked, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity contribute to almost 5% of the risk of developing dementia.

• Smoking

Wreaking havoc on the lungs and the brain, smoking appeared to contribute to 5.5% of the risk of dementia.

• Depression

While it's possible that depression increases the risk of dementia risk due to the overactivity of stress hormones, researchers were unable to confirm whether depression is a cause or a symptom of dementia. Regardless, they found that it was responsible for 4% of the risk factor.

• Social isolation

With a 2.3% risk factor, social isolation is thought to increase the risk of hypertension, heart conditions and depression.

As for reducing the risk of developing dementia? The NHS recommends taking a string of preventative measures and easy lifestyle changes. These include:

• The use of antihypertensive drugs like ACE inhibitors
• Embracing a Mediterranean diet based on vegetables, fruit, nuts, beans, cereal grains, olive oil and fish.
• Aiming to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day
• Using cognitive interventions to actively improve memory, attention and reasoning skills.
• Maintaining an active social life by joining clubs and arranging activities.  

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