Reducing Dementia Risks in Type 2 Diabetes Sufferers: Adopting These 7 Lifestyle Habits
Living with type 2 diabetes can increase your risk of developing dementia, but there's good news—by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, you might just lower that risk. A recent study published in Neurology explores this connection, shedding light on how certain behaviors can keep your mind sharp.
Dementia and its risk factors
Dementia, a condition that impairs memory, thinking, and reasoning, typically worsens with time. It can significantly impact one's ability to live independently, making it a significant concern for many. While factors like increased age and family history can't be altered, there are modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and type 2 diabetes.
Dementia is more prevalent among individuals with type 2 diabetes. Yet, researchers, intrigued by the potential influence of healthy lifestyle choices, dug deeper.
Type 2 diabetes, dementia, and lifestyle factors
The study, led by Dr. Yingli Lu from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China, examined the impact of seven healthy habits on dementia risk. These habits included:
- Not smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Regular physical activity
- Eating a healthy diet
- Adequate sleep
- Lesser sedentary behavior
- Frequent social contact
Utilizing data from the U.K. Biobank, the researchers focused on over 160,000 participants who were 60 years or older and free of dementia at the study's outset. They excluded participants with type 1 diabetes and only considered individuals with type 2 diabetes.
By evaluating participants' adherence to these healthy habits, the researchers assigned each participant a lifestyle score. Those adhering to these habits received higher scores.
After an average of 12 years, the study revealed that a healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of dementia. However, it became even more pronounced among participants with diabetes.
According to Dr. Lu, "Patients with diabetes who adopt an overall healthy lifestyle may greatly reduce their risk of developing dementia." This brings hope to the millions of people grappling with both conditions.
However, it's important to note that, while this study suggests a link between healthy lifestyle choices and dementia risk, it does not definitively prove a causal relationship.
In designing future studies, researchers will consider factors such as more diverse participant populations and data collection methods to minimize potential errors and biases. But for now, it's clear that maintaining a healthy lifestyle may have significant benefits for individuals with type 2 diabetes, potentially delaying or preventing dementia onset.
- The condition of dementia, characterized by impaired memory, thinking, and reasoning, has been found to worsen over time and can impact a person's ability to live independently.
- Some risk factors of dementia like increased age and family history are beyond one's control, but modifiable ones such as smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and type 2 diabetes can be addressed.
- Dementia is more common among individuals with type 2 diabetes, leading researchers to delve deeper into the potential influence of healthy lifestyle choices.
- A recent study published in Neurology investigated the impact of adopting a healthy lifestyle on the risk of dementia in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
- The study, led by Dr. Yingli Lu from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China, focused on nearly 160,000 participants, aged 60 or older, who were free of dementia at the study's inception.
- The participants were divided according to their adherence to seven healthy lifestyle habits, resulting in a lifestyle score for each individual.
- After an average of 12 years, the study found a correlation between a healthy lifestyle and a lower risk of dementia, with the association being stronger among participants with diabetes.
- Dr. Lu concluded that patients with diabetes who adopt a healthy lifestyle may significantly lower their risk of developing dementia.
- It is crucial to acknowledge that while this study suggests a link between healthy lifestyle choices and dementia risk, it does not necessarily prove a causal relationship.
- To eliminate potential errors and biases in their research, future studies will consider factors such as a more diverse participant pool and various data collection methods.
- In light of these findings, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, centered around nutrition, fitness and exercise, mental health, therapies and treatments, sleep, and avoiding chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes, prediabetes, and dementia, may offer significant benefits and potentially delay or prevent dementia onset for many people.
