Having a healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise, not smoking, a balanced diet and having a healthy alcohol intake could reduce the risk of dementia. It will even reduce the risk for those who have a genetic conditions.
Figures have suggested that there are 850,00 people who are living with dementia in the UK and it is becoming the top cause of death for women in England. Studies suggest that lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of developing dementia and similar conditions. A report has shown that a third of cases could be prevented by a having a healthy lifestyle.
Prof David Llewellyn of Exeter University, who led the research said: “We think there is a similar reduction in your risk of dementia associated with lifestyle, regardless of your genetic risk,”
The study of nearly 200,00 people showed a healthy lifestyle dropped risks by a third. The researchers gave participants a healthy lifestyle score based on a combination of exercise, diet, alcohol and smoking.
An example of someone who scored well:
- Doesn’t currently smoke
- Cycles at normal pace for two-and-a-half hours a week
- Eats a balanced diet that includes more than three portions of fruit and vegetables a day, eats fish twice a week and rarely eats processed meat
- Drinks up to one pint of beer a day
An example of someone who did not scored well:
- Currently smokes regularly
- Does no regular exercise
- Eats a diet that includes less than three servings of fruit and vegetables a week, and includes two or more servings of processed meat and of red meat a week
- Drinks at least three pints of beer a day
The researchers tracked the participants for eight years and in this time 1,769 formed dementia.
