Reducing the Risk of Dementia

A new international study featured in the Lancet has released nine factors that contribute to the risk of dementia. This study was recently presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London and suggests that lifestyle changes can aid in the prevention of dementia.

The scientists who presented this study suggest that these nine preventable factors (listed below along with the percentage of the risk they cause) make-up 35% of dementia risk in individuals and states that behavioral changes can help reduce or eliminate this percentage of risk.

1. Mid-life hearing loss (9%)
2. Failing to complete secondary education (8%)
3. Smoking (5%)
4. Failing to seek early treatment for depression (4%)
5. Physical activity (3%)
6. Social isolation (2%)
7. High blood pressure (2%)
8. Obesity (1%)
9. Type 2 diabetes (1%)

These nine factors, which are considered to be modifiable, can contribute to the risk of developing dementia. The other 65% of dementia risk is thought to be non-modifiable, so making lifestyle changes that help an individual avoid from falling into any of these above categories may be one of the only ways to decrease the risk of developing dementia.