According to a study conducted by the charity Age UK, following at least four of the five golden rules of a healthy lifestyle would reduce his risk of dementia by 36%.
Regular physical exercise, mediterranean diet, the fact of not smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation are all criteria capable of reducing the risk of dementia, and therefore of developing Alzheimer’s.
The analysis ofAge UK is based on several scientific results, including a British study carried out over more than 30 years. The latter found that men aged 45 to 59 following 4 of the 5 criteria constituting a healthy lifestyle had a 36% reduced risk of developing dementia, or of suffering from cognitive decline, compared to men not following not these recommendations.
Sport, the most effective criterion for reducing risk
Lifestyle is therefore responsible for 76% of brain changes, and our daily habits in terms of activities and food influence these transformations.
Among all the criteria to follow, the report ofAge UK reveals that physical exercise is the most effective in reducing the risk of dementia. Exercising (30 minutes to an hour) 3-4 times a week would be very beneficial.
But if a significant consumption ofalcohol is linked to an increased risk of dementia, moderate consumption would be beneficial in reducing the risk. By increasing the level of good cholesterol, and reducing the bad, alcohol consumed moderately would protect brain tissue. Not surprisingly, the analysis also shows an increased risk of dementia in smokers, compared to the risk of people who have never tasted tobacco.
Prevent in the absence of being able to cure
“While there is still no cure to overcome dementia, this analysis shows that there are simple and effective ways to reduce our risk of developing this disease” notes Caroline Abrahams, director of the association Age UK. “What is more, the changes to be made to keep a brain healthy are also good for the heart and general health, so common sense for all of us is to try to integrate them into our daily lives. “
“Health authorities now recognize the positive influence of lifestyle changes on the risk of dementia,” says Dr Matthew Norton, of the British Alzheimer’s research center. Now this message needs to reach the general public, to help people protect their cognitive functions as they get older. “
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