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Rachel V Thomas

Want To Stave Off Dementia Risk? 3 Simple Lifestyle Changes May Help, Says Study

Three simple lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity, cutting down sedentary time, and improving sleep duration, may significantly boost your brain's cognitive abilities and reduce the risk of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dementia">dementia</a> later in life, according to a new study.

Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition affecting an estimated 55 million people globally. It is characterized by a decline in memory, thinking, and social abilities. 

Together, the three simple lifestyle changes cut down the risk of late-onset dementia by 25 percent.

Published in the open-access journal PLOS One, the systematic review and meta-analysis of over 69 prospective cohort studies involving millions of cognitively healthy adults aged 35 and above showed the potential benefits of lifestyle behaviors such as regular physical activity, cutting down sedentary time, and improving sleep duration.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, a person’s overall risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease—the most common form of dementia—is about 11 percent. However, the study found that with the simple suggested lifestyle changes, the average person’s risk decreases to approximately 8 percent. 

The study emphasized that people do not need elaborate and expensive longevity hacks to stay mentally sharp as they age.

The reduction is “fairly comparable to the effect sizes sometimes seen with medications for chronic diseases,” said Akinkunle Oye-Somefun, a researcher at York University in Toronto, who led the study, NBC News reported.

<h2>Sitting For Long Periods Worst For Your Brain</h2>

The findings showed that avoiding sitting for longer periods had the greatest effect and can have a long-term benefit for the brain.

Sitting for more than eight hours a day increased dementia risk by almost 30 percent, at the same time being regularly active, even just going for a walk every day, decreased dementia risk by an average of 25 percent. 

Long sitting hours can also spike a person’s risk of other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, all of which in turn raise dementia risk. 

Getting between seven and eight hours of sleep each night also had a greater benefit on the brain. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/game-of-thrones-actor-michael-patrick-dies-after-battle-with-motor-neurone-disease-article-154038467" data-type="tilCustomLink">'Game Of Thrones' Actor Michael Patrick Dies After Battle With Motor Neurone Disease</a>

The risk of dementia increased by 18 percent among those who slept less than seven hours, while sleeping more than eight hours per night also raised the risk of the neurodegenerative disease by 28 percent.

Importantly, moderate physical activity “offsets dementia risks even when other risk factors are present,” said Oye-Somefun, NBC News reported.

However, “many people assume that being physically active cancels out the harm of sitting for long periods. It doesn’t,” Oye-Somefun said. “We shouldn’t do one of these things alone; we should do them all.” 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/simple-brain-training-exercise-cuts-dementia-risk-for-20-years-study-finds-article-153947858" data-type="tilCustomLink">Simple Brain Training Exercise Cuts Dementia Risk For 20 Years, Study Finds</a>

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.

Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.

<ul><li>memory problems, </li><li>confusion, </li><li>difficulty finding words, </li><li>changes in mood or behavior, </li><li>trouble completing familiar tasks.</li></ul>

These symptoms usually worsen over time and are not considered a normal part of ageing. Although there is no cure, treatment options can help manage symptoms, and early diagnosis plays an important role in care planning.

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Three simple lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity, cutting down sedentary time, and improving sleep duration, may significantly boost your brain's cognitive abilities and reduce the risk of dementia later in life, according to a new study. Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition affecting an estimated 55 million people globally. It is characterized by a decline in memory, thinking, and social abilities. Together, the three simple lifestyle changes cut down the risk of late-onset dementia by 25 percent. Published in the open-access journal PLOS One, the systematic review and meta-analysis of over 69 prospective cohort studies involving millions of cognitively healthy adults aged 35 and above showed the potential benefits of lifestyle behaviors such as regular physical activity, cutting down sedentary time, and improving sleep duration. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, a person’s overall risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease—the most common form of dementia—is about 11 percent. However, the study found that with the simple suggested lifestyle changes, the average person’s risk decreases to approximately 8 percent. The study emphasized that people do not need elaborate and expensive longevity hacks to stay mentally sharp as they age. The reduction is “fairly comparable to the effect sizes sometimes seen with medications for chronic diseases,” said Akinkunle Oye-Somefun, a researcher at York University in Toronto, who led the study, NBC News reported.Sitting For Long Periods Worst For Your BrainThe findings showed that avoiding sitting for longer periods had the greatest effect and can have a long-term benefit for the brain.Sitting for more than eight hours a day increased dementia risk by almost 30 percent, at the same time being regularly active, even just going for a walk every day, decreased dementia risk by an average of 25 percent. Long sitting hours can also spike a person’s risk of other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, all of which in turn raise dementia risk. Getting between seven and eight hours of sleep each night also had a greater benefit on the brain. Also read: 'Game Of Thrones' Actor Michael Patrick Dies After Battle With Motor Neurone DiseaseThe risk of dementia increased by 18 percent among those who slept less than seven hours, while sleeping more than eight hours per night also raised the risk of the neurodegenerative disease by 28 percent. Importantly, moderate physical activity “offsets dementia risks even when other risk factors are present,” said Oye-Somefun, NBC News reported. However, “many people assume that being physically active cancels out the harm of sitting for long periods. It doesn’t,” Oye-Somefun said. “We shouldn’t do one of these things alone; we should do them all.”  Also read: Simple Brain Training Exercise Cuts Dementia Risk For 20 Years, Study FindsWhat Is Dementia? Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia. Common signs include memory problems, confusion, difficulty finding words, changes in mood or behavior, trouble completing familiar tasks. These symptoms usually worsen over time and are not considered a normal part of ageing. Although there is no cure, treatment options can help manage symptoms, and early diagnosis plays an important role in care planning.

brain want to stave off dementia risk? 3 simple lifestyle changes may help, says study

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Want To Stave Off Dementia Risk? 3 Simple Lifestyle Changes May Help, Says Study

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Want To Stave Off Dementia Risk? 3 Simple Lifestyle Changes May Help, Says Study

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