21 mars 2023
Our lifestyle habits play a significant role in whether or not we develop dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the main representative. An American study recalls the 7 behaviors to adopt for healthy aging.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 5 and 8% of people over the age of 60 have dementia at some point. The total number of people with dementia is expected to reach 82 million in 2030 and 152 million by 2050. »
Preventing the disease appears more than ever to be a public health priority. As the American Academy of Neurology explains, since we know that dementia can start in the brain decades before diagnosis, it is important to learn more regarding how our lifestyle habits in middle age can affect this risk. The good news is that making healthy lifestyle choices can lead to lower risk later in life.. »
Move, eat well, don’t smoke…
To find out how certain lifestyle habits interfere with the risk of dementia, researchers from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Boston followed more than 13,000 fifties for 20 years. During this follow-up, 13% developed dementia. They then compared these results with the respect or not of 7 healthy lifestyle choices known on the other side of the Atlantic under the name ” Life’s Simple 7 “. To know :
- to be active ;
- eat healthy ;
- maintain a healthy weight;
- NO SMOKING ;
- maintain healthy blood pressure;
- controlling cholesterol;
- maintain low blood sugar.
The rule was simple: for each habit respected, the subject received a point (7 healthy lifestyle choices respected therefore equaled 7 points). The authors found that for every one-point increase, a participant’s risk of dementia decreased by 6%.
« It can be empowering for people to know that by taking steps like exercising for half an hour a day or keeping their blood pressure under control, they can lower their risk of dementia. », enthuse the scientists.
