Can half of dementia cases be prevented through a healthy lifestyle?

It is not possible to say with certainty that half of dementia cases can be completely prevented by a healthy lifestyle, but there is substantial evidence that a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of dementia.

Researchers claim that 40 to 50 percent of dementia cases worldwide could be prevented by addressing 14 risk factors. These risk factors include: high bad cholesterol, low education, hearing loss, vision loss, smoking, depression, physical inactivity, social isolation, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, traumatic brain injury, excessive alcohol consumption, and air pollution.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight, can help reduce the risk of dementia. These factors are important for heart and brain health.

The WHO has issued guidelines that provide recommendations to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. These guidelines emphasize the importance of regular exercise, a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Although a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of dementia, it is unlikely that 50% of all cases will be prevented by a healthy lifestyle.

Source: https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad240365

Source: https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/dementia-prevention-intervention-care

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-02 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024