A new study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry suggests that seniors with frailty who adhere to a healthy lifestyle could reduce their risk for dementia. Researchers are seeing increasing evidence that taking steps towards healthier actions can significantly affect cognitive health.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 196,000 adults aged over 60 from the UK Biobank for this study. Genetic risk was calculated using a previously developed score for frailty, which reflects the accumulation of age-related symptoms, signs, diseases, and disabilities. These were analyzed along with a score on healthy lifestyle behaviors and a percentage of those who developed dementia.
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Dementia in the participants was detected through hospital admission records. Researchers found a total of 1,762 people who had dementia and noted they were much more likely to have a high degree of frailty before their diagnosis compared with those who did not develop dementia.
Researchers examined the impact of genetic risk for dementia in people with different degrees of frailty. In the frailest participants, the risk of dementia was high regardless of their genes. For those who were at the highest risk of dementia due to their genes, the risk was lowest in people who were fit and highest in people who were in poor health.
Lead author Dr. David Ward said, “Our research is a major step forward in understanding how reducing frailty could help to improve a person’s chances of avoiding dementia dramatically, regardless of their genetic predisposition to the condition. This is exciting because we believe that some of the underlying causes of frailty are in themselves preventable. In our study, this looked to be possible partly through engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors.”
This research helps to identify ways to reduce the risk of dementia. Overall, participants who reported more engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors were less likely to develop dementia. Researchers suggest this is partly because they had a lower degree of frailty.
Brain Health
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Brain health is a common concern as people age. With dementia and Alzheimer’s cases rising throughout the population, studies such as this are essential to outline prevention techniques and treatments for the diseases.
A healthy lifestyle includes exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and making sure you’re getting all the essential vitamins and nutrients for healthy brain function.
The Smart Pill makes a great addition to a daily routine to help maximize brain health and cognitive function. With nine essential vitamins, The Smart Pill helps to boost circulation, fight free radicals, and provide nutritional support.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
