Three factors in midlife can delay the onset of dementia by 13 years
A study involving 12,000 adults in the US suggests that taking action to prevent dementia during your 50s can make a big difference later in life
Research indicates that adopting a healthy lifestyle during middle age can add up to 13 years of living without dementia. Josef Coresh, from New York University, explains that avoiding smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure risks in one's 50s can significantly reduce the risk of dementia. This study analyzed data from over 12,000 adults in the US and found that those who avoided all three risks were 2.7 times less likely to develop dementia compared to those who engaged in all three risk factors.
Participants who avoided one or two of these risks gained between four and eight dementia-free years. Coresh emphasizes that regular exercise and minimizing sugary foods are effective ways to prevent diabetes and high blood pressure. However, the study's limitations include not accounting for all factors influencing dementia risk, such as hearing loss and social isolation, and being focused on the US population.
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