YOU REALLY CAN BEAT DEMENTIA

Study shows 40% of cases may be averted by changes in lifestyle

TENS of thousands of people could ward off dementia by adopting a healthier lifestyle, a major study has found.

Up to 40% of cases could be avoided or delayed by eating less,

exercising more and cutting out alcohol and cigarettes, researchers have said.

These lifestyle habits – together with environmental factors, medical history and education – contribute to a significant proportion of dementia cases in Ireland, the study suggests.

According to experts, Alzheimer’s and related dementia affects about 38,000 people in Ireland but, due to our rapidly ageing population, that number is predicted to rise to 58,000 by 2021 and 104,000 by 2036.

A team of 28 experts who conducted a review for the Lancet medical journal identified 12 controllable factors which contribute to dementia risk.

For decades, experts believed dementia was a matter of fate – a cruel quirk of genetics and ageing.

But in recent years, scientists have become increasingly aware that it is not inevitable, and the way you live your life increases the risk of developing the

condition in old age. There is a growing understanding that poor blood circulation – which is hugely influenced by diet, exercise and drinking – has a significant impact on the brain.

Education is also now known to have a protective effect, with those who receive a better schooling more likely to carry out complex thinking throughout their lives, reducing dementia risk by keeping the brain active.

Air pollution, social isolation and depression in old age also increase the risk.

In 2017, a previous Lancet review identified nine elements which contributed to dementia risk.

The new paper updates this and adds three new factors – alcohol intake, air pollution and head injuries.

The researchers – including scientists from University College London and Cambridge, Exeter, Edinburgh and Manchester universities – stressed that the majority of dementia

‘Real potential to boost brain health’

risk is down to genetics and other uncontrollable factors.

But they said the new findings showed that people had a huge degree of power to determine their own fate. Politicians, they added, must take responsibility for reducing some of the risk – particularly by addressing the growing problem of air pollution.

Professor Clive Ballard, of the University of Exeter, said: ‘Our findings present an exciting opportunity to improve millions of lives across the world by preventing or delaying dementia.

‘This analysis shows there’s real potential to improve brain health by taking action.’

The researchers said one of the biggest controllable factors was poor education, which is responsible for 7% of overall dementia cases. Hearing loss in middle age is responsible for 8% of cases and brain injury for 3%.

High blood pressure from middle age contributes to 2%, obesity 1% and drinking more than 21 units a week 1%.

Smoking in old age contributes to 5% of cases, physical inactivity 2%, diabetes 1%, depression 4%, isolation 4% and air pollution 2%.

The researchers also calculated the increase in an individual’s dementia risk for each factor. They found poor education increases an individual’s risk of developing the disease by 60%, hearing loss by 90%, depression 90% and brain injury by 80%.

High blood pressure, obesity and smoking each increase the risk by over 60%, diabetes by 50%, inactivity by 40% and drinking too much by 20%.

Study leader Professor Gill Livingston, of UCL, said politicians could do a lot to reduce the risks.

‘Our report shows that it is within the power of policymakers and individuals to prevent and delay a significant proportion of dementia.

‘We can reduce risks by creating active and healthy environments for communities, where physical activity is the norm, better diet is accessible for all, and exposure to excessive alcohol is minimised.’

Alzheimer expert Fiona Carragher, said: ‘While we don’t have all the answers yet, we can take action now to tackle the risk factors within our control, including excessive drinking, obesity and high blood pressure.’

news@dailymail.ie

‘Politicians could do a lot more’