/img-s3.ilcdn.fi/b4631469f0293b1a7a6e2e00d1dfc94c595b4f2f64297b7a90b758650a15ce11.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "Science found the three biggest risk factors for dementia
– 2024-04-12 21:09:36")
Oxford University researchers report that they have found critical risk factors for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s often start slowly. Symptoms include, for example, memory disorders and difficulty in learning new things. Adobe Stock / AOP
A study by the University of Oxford has found the three biggest risk factors for the development of memory disease.
According to it, diabetes, air pollution and alcohol increase the risk of memory disease the most.
According to the study, these risk factors increase the risk of illness about twice as much as other leading factors. According to the study, the next biggest risk factors are too little and poor quality sleep, overweight, smoking and high blood pressure.
Researchers have already identified areas in the brain that are particularly sensitive to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Brain areas are related to working memory, long-term memory and attention, among other things.
The regions develop during adolescence and degenerate earlier than other parts of the brain. Degeneration accelerates with age.
According to research, it is precisely these parts of the brain that are more susceptible to the effects of diabetes, traffic-related air pollution and alcohol. Air pollution had an even greater effect, according to the study, if the individual had a certain type of XG gene.
Certain brain areas are susceptible to the effects of risk factors. Adobe stock/AOP
Most of it can be influenced
The study examined the effects of different genetic and modifiable risk factors on this brain area.
The analysis included the data of 40,000 Britons over 45 years of age and the results of magnetic resonance images of their brains. The information was obtained from the UK-biobank database. The participants were considered healthier than the general population. Only a few of them had been diagnosed with a memory disorder.
There were 161 risk factors in total, from blood pressure to education and physical activity. The researchers called them modifiable risk factors, because it is possible to influence the factors throughout life.
According to the researchers, diabetes and alcohol consumption have already been consistently shown to be related to the deterioration of both the brain and cognitive abilities. According to them, similar evidence is also accumulating more and more about the effect of air pollution.
Diabetes is one of the risk factors for memory disease. Adobe Stock / AOP
Do these everyday things
A psychology professor interviewed by the Washington Post Gill Livingston University College London emphasized to the magazine that people can do quite a lot in their daily lives to maintain cognitive health.
– The results only confirm it.
According to Livingston, social life and physical activity make a big difference. It is worth stimulating the brain with refreshing experiences and learning new things.
And stop smoking, Livingston advises.
He also highlights the deterioration of hearing that occurs with aging. According to research, untreated poor hearing increases the risk of developing dementia.
– It can take away opportunities for conversations that give important stimuli to the brain.
The results were published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
THE FACTS
You can do this yourself:
1. Get your blood pressure right. High blood pressure in middle age increases the risk of memory disorders. In the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, treating hypertension has the clearest evidence. Blood pressure is normal when it is below 130/85 mmHg. High blood pressure can be reduced by reducing the amount of salt to less than 5 grams per day and by exercising. If your own means are not enough, blood pressure medication is needed.
2. Forget smoking and reduce alcohol
Smoking weakens the blood circulation and affects the oxygen supply of the brain and, among other things, the ability of memory to function. The risk of cerebral infarction is also increased in smokers.
Even a small dose of alcohol weakens the formation of a memory trace, the ability to concentrate and the quality of sleep. Heavy alcohol consumption is very harmful to the brain. It weakens the ability to process information and function and increases the risk of memory disorders already in working age.
3. Cholesterol to a good level
Cholesterol accumulation, or plaque, slowly clogs arteries and can cause heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. Having a brain infarction, on the other hand, exposes you to memory disorders in the future.
Total cholesterol value should be below 5 and “bad” LDL cholesterol below 3.
In risk patients, such as those already suffering from arterial disease, the target value for LDL is 1.8 millimoles per liter. To achieve this, in practice, cholesterol medications are almost always needed.
4. Blood sugar to aise
Over time, too high blood sugar can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.
Type 2 diabetes is often associated with a persistent, low-grade inflammatory state of the body and insulin resistance, which leads to high levels of insulin in the blood. They both affect sugar metabolism and thereby the brain and memory.
5. Keep moving
Inactivity is linked to overweight and sugar metabolism disorders, which are considered a risk factor for memory disorders.
Exercise improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It also has direct effects on the brain.
In addition to physical activity, social activity also reduces the risk of illness.
6. Lose weight
In terms of memory, normal weight is the best option.
Definitely overweight should be lost. In terms of health, a 5-10 percent weight loss is beneficial.
7. Eat healthy
A diet rich in saturated fatty acids increases the risk of memory disorders.
Soft fats, vegetables and fibers are good for the brain. They affect sugar metabolism, blood fat values and at the same time the brain. Dietary fiber obtained from whole grain products and vegetables, on the other hand, regulates blood sugar.
Fatty fish has omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin D, which are good for memory.
Sources: Washington Post, The Medical News Today
Excessive alcohol consumption has many effects on the brain and memory. Adobe Stock / AOP
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