Some 800,000 people suffer from dementia in Spain, according to the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN)particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Women are more affected, with estimates for 2050 of more than 1.15 million female cases compared to 589,000 male cases. Every year, approximately 40,000 new cases of Alzheimer’s disease are diagnosed in our country.
This Sunday, the Daily Mail publishes a report in which he discusses with several doctors and experts on how to prevent this disease. Science estimates that approximately 45% of all cases of dementia They can be avoided or, at the very least, symptoms can be delayed, in some cases for several years.
Richard OakleyAssociate Director of Research and Innovation at the Alzheimer’s Society UK, said: “No one is sure they have dementia. And while the biggest risk factor is aging, which we can’t change, there are many things you can do to mitigate it. »
“Some of these are within your control and can reduce the risk of multiple chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes and heart problems,” continues Dr. Oakley.
“Proteins linked to dementia begin to accumulate in the brain in middle age, from age 40, and are needed 20 years of damage before the brain can attenuate it. If you can slow this damage, you can gain years of additional quality of life before symptoms appear. “It’s an exciting opportunity,” he says.
Physical exercise
One of the first things we should do is exercise: a 2022 study reveals that people who exercised regularly had 35% less risk of dementia compared to those who engaged in infrequent activities.
Exercise improves blood circulation, reduces blood pressure and inflammation and improves brain plasticity, making it better equipped to fight damage and disease.
Blood pressure
Another key factor is high blood pressure, one of the biggest risk factors for dementia. Although it may cause heart attacks and strokesalso directly damages the tiny blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.
“You can find out what your blood pressure is and take steps to address it,” says Dr. Oakley, because high blood pressure doubles the risk of dementia.
Cholesterol
Along the same lines, cholesterol control is also important. High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A study conducted in the United States in 2009 concluded that even slightly elevated cholesterol levels This was enough to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 23% and vascular dementia by 50%.
Obesity
Reducing weight is also important. “Obesity “This leads to high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, both risk factors for dementia, but being overweight in midlife is also an independent risk factor in itself, so it’s important to manage it if you can,” says Dr Tim Beanland, director of knowledge and learning at the Alzheimer’s Society UK.
Vision
There are also aspects that in principle have nothing to do with neurological health but which can contribute to its improvement. For example, people with cataracts They increase your risk of dementia and cognitive problems by 47%, according to a 2020 analysis by Chinese and Australian scientists.
“A clear vision allows you to absorb information and challenge your brain. “Your brain is like a muscle: if you don’t use it correctly, it’s less likely to function well,” says Dr. Oakley.
Oral health
THE poor oral healthincluding gum disease, increase the risk of memory problems and dementia. It causes general inflammation, itself linked to dementia, and allows bacteria from the mouth to travel to the brain, where they could trigger some of the changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Smoking
Another key recommendation is stop smoking: About 10% of dementia cases may be linked to smoking, but quitting smoking can eliminate the risk.
A 2020 study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the United States found that smokers have a 33% higher risk of suffering from dementia.
But those who quit smoking for at least nine years They are at the same level of risk as people who have never smoked. Even those who quit smoking at age 60 can gain three extra years of life expectancy.
“Stop smoking Significantly improves cardiovascular healthwhich we know has a direct effect on brain health,” says Dr. Beanland.
Stop drinking alcohol, Ensuring a good night’s sleep, maintaining social contacts, taking walks, avoiding sources of pollution and avoiding head injuries are other key tips to reduce the risk of suffering from diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
About The Author
