According to one review, there are only three main things to keep in mind when it comes to preventing dementia.
For years, everything from bedtime to alcohol intake has been linked to memory loss disorders.
But after looking at data from more than 20,000 older adults over 30 years, researchers found that three lifestyle factors clearly outweighed all others.
Having no hobbies, being obese and being sedentary after age 60 were the biggest predictors of who would develop the disorder.
They also found that Americans living in the South were more likely to develop the condition, even after controlling for factors such as income.
Therefore, taking up knitting, taking regular walks, and watching your calories are the most important factors in preventing this incurable disease.
Economist Peter Hudmiet, who led the study, said: “This study provides further evidence about the actions individuals can take to pursue a lifestyle that promotes lifelong brain health.” Ta.
“Other lifestyle and health behavioral factors, such as smoking, cholesterol tests, flu shots, mammograms, pap smears, and breast and prostate exams, are strong predictors of dementia,” she said in the study. It’s not a factor,” he added.
Actor Christ Hemsworth has been found to have a copy of a gene that makes him more susceptible to developing dementia. The Australian is an avid gym goer and also enjoys surfing, boxing and soccer.
Scientists suggest that knowing your risk factors may help prevent age-related decline.
Avengers actor Chris Hemsworth, 41, decided to do it after realizing he was likely to develop dementia while filming a documentary.
Since then, he has put a renewed emphasis on sleep, stress management, nutrition and fitness to reduce his risk of developing the disease.
Research suggests that almost 10 percent of adults over the age of 65, or more than 7 million people, may have dementia. This number is likely to increase further if current trends continue, with an estimated 12 million people likely to be affected by 2040.
The study was conducted by the Rand Corporation, a nonprofit research organization based in California and funded by the biotechnology company Genentech.
This includes three separate studies focusing on the factors that put people at increased risk of dementia and how to respond to them.
The first study used a study that has followed more than 20,000 older adults since 1992. The survey, called the Health and Retirement Survey, asks people about their daily habits and health.
This included questions about hobbies. Some of the most popular ones included chess, word games, gardening, car maintenance, and making clothes.
Using this study, it was found that people over the age of 60 who are obese, lack physical activity, and have no hobbies are more likely to develop dementia.
This is clear from a geographical perspective, with more adults developing dementia in the South than in other regions.
This pattern persisted even after controlling for other factors such as socioeconomic status.
Other factors also correspond to an increased incidence of dementia, such as having a stroke early in life and not having private health insurance.
Regarding other factors, such as alcohol intake, the researchers found that moderate drinkers had the lowest risk of dementia, while both never drinkers and heavy drinkers were at increased risk.
The researchers offer no reasoning as to why participating in hobbies or staying physically fit kept people’s brains healthier for longer.
This is not the first study to link exercise as an important way to prevent age-related memory decline. This includes traditional vigorous exercise such as running, but some studies have found that doing household chores can also have a protective effect.
But research shows that hobbies can help people feel like they have a purpose in life, exercise their cognitive abilities, and literally train their brains.
Both of these factors are associated with reduced accumulation of proteins in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers said.
Physically, regular exercise helps support healthy blood flow. According to , healthy blood flow to the brain is thought to be critical to the organ’s long-term health because blood supplies important nutrients for thinking, health, and memory. alzheimer’s disease association.
On the other side of the coin, obese people often have problems with blood flow, which can increase their risk of dementia. Some studies also show that obesity causes chronic inflammation, which can cause long-term damage to the brain.
The second and third studies in the new RAND report investigated how people react when they learn they have been diagnosed with dementia and what barriers there are to treatment.
The researchers found that about 25% of people diagnosed with dementia sought financial help, compared to about 2% of people the same age without dementia.
They were also found to be more likely to establish a will and prepare to move to a safer location than those without a dementia diagnosis.
The biggest barrier to treatment was the out-of-pocket costs associated with memory care. Eighty percent of respondents said they would take a cognitive test if it were free, but that number was cut in half if the test cost $300.
Study author Susan Rohwedder, senior economist at Randland, said this shows that increasing access to technology that can provide early diagnosis may be key to keeping people with dementia safe. said.
She said, “The assessment provided individuals with information that may facilitate actions to prepare for the future.”
