The 7 common habits that increase your risk of dementia revealed (and how to combat them)
DEMENTIA is incredibly common in older age, affecting one in six people over the age of 80.
Some common habits have been tied to higher odds of developing the disease.
But it could be prevented, even in those with the highest genetic risk, researchers say.
Dementia robs people of their memory, and is typically diagnosed over the age of 65. It is not the same as ageing.
The most common form of dementia - which affects more than 850,000 people in the UK - is Alzheimer’s.
A new study investigated the lifestyle habits of 11,500 people, aged 54 on average.
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Each participant scored seven habits from 0 (most unhealthy) to 14 (most healthy).
These were:
- Exercise levels
- Healthy diet
- Weight
- Smoking
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Blood sugar
Someone with a low score would be inactive, eat unhealthily, have a higher weight, smoke, and have uncontrolled blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
Participants were followed-up 30 years later to see whether they had gotten a dementia diagnosis.
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Europeans with the healthiest habits were less likely to get dementia than their unhealthier counterparts - even if their genetics were working against them.
The participants had been divided into groups based on their genetic makeup.
It has already been discovered that those with at least one copy of the APOE e4 variant have a higher genetic risk of Alzheimer’s.
Some 28 per cent of Europeans in the study had APOE e4, while 40 per cent of those with African ancestry did.
But a European with a genetically higher risk of Alzheimer’s was up to 43 per cent less likely to get the disease if they practised good health habits, compared to those who did not.
Among those with African ancestry, those who were most healthy had up to a 17 per cent lower risk.
But researchers said the smaller number of participants in this group - some 2,700 of the sample - means more research is needed.
The seven habits, known as the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7, are in fact designed to reach perfect heart health.
You can use this to work out your own score across the Simple 7.
It is understood that eating to protect the heart will work in favour for brain health.
The NHS says: “Experts agree that what's good for your heart is also good for your brain.”
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Time and time again studies have shown that those who chose a healthy life have lower odds of Alzheimer's - but that doesn't mean they don’t ever get diagnosed.
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You can help reduce your risk of dementia by:
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Keeping alcohol within recommended limits
- Stopping smoking
- Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level