According to a study conducted by the charity UK agefollowing at least four of the five golden rules of a healthy lifestyle would reduce his risk of dementia by 36%.
Regular exercise, mediterranean dietthe 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 ofUK age is based on several scientific results, including a British study conducted over more than 30 years. The latter revealed 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 even suffering from cognitive decline, compared to men not following not these recommendations.
Sport, the most effective criterion for reducing the risk
Lifestyle would thus be responsible for 76% of brain changes, and our daily habits in terms of activities and food would influence these transformations.
Among all the criteria to be followed, the report ofUK age 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 large 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 in moderation would protect brain tissue. Unsurprisingly, the analysis also shows an increased risk of dementia in smokers, compared to the risk of people who have never tasted tobacco.
Prevent without 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” remarks Caroline Abrahams, director of the association UK age. “Furthermore, the changes to be made to keep a brain healthy are also good for the heart and overall health, so common sense for all of us is to try and incorporate them into our daily lives. »
“Health authorities now recognize the positive influence of lifestyle changes on the risk of dementia,” says Dr. Matthew Norton, from the British Alzheimer’s Research Centre. This message now needs to reach the general public, to help people protect their cognitive functions as they age. »
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