Dementias Risk
Dementia risk could be elevated by these 13 seemingly innocuous habits that are aging your brain prematurely. If you’re a coffee addict who enjoys concerts and binge-watches Netflix, you could be at an elevated risk of a common brain disorder.
From lighting up a cigarette to avoiding doctor’s visits, here are thirteen habits that might heighten your dementia risk:
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1. Drinking alcohol.
Hardly surprising – enjoying a pint isn’t the best habit for maintaining brain health. While some may believe that only excessive drinking is detrimental, even occasional drinking can have a significant effect.
A study published in 2022 suggested that just two pints of beer or glasses of wine daily can age the brain as much as ten years. Incredibly, a single pint can prematurely age your brain by two years.
2. Not getting enough sleep.
It’s widely accepted that lack of sufficient sleep can result in forgetfulness, irritability, and low energy levels. However, these issues can develop into long-term problems, even if they don’t seem significant initially.
Research suggests that enduring sleep deprivation might heighten the risk of dementia.
Published in Nature Communications, a study discovered that those who clocked in six hours or less of sleep each night saw their risk go up by 30 per cent, as opposed to individuals who slept seven hours or more. The study’s authors suggest that sleep is crucial as it assists in the elimination of toxic proteins connected with Alzheimer’s from the brain.
3. Spending too much time alone.
A study conducted in the US analysed the brains of mentally sound adults who reported feeling lonely. These individuals had higher levels of cortical amyloid – a marker used in dementia diagnosis.
Other research has correlated social isolation with early-onset dementia, where symptoms manifest before reaching the age of 65. As Dr Walton puts it: “There’s some strong evidence that loneliness relate to a faster-ageing brain.”
4. Going to concerts.
Loud noises have been linked to an increased risk of hearing loss, which scientists say could lead to a higher likelihood of developing dementia. This includes exposure to loud music through headphones, on the radio, or at live concerts, as well as noisy work environments.
Dr Tim Beanland from the Alzheimer’s Society has advised people to take precautions and seek early checks. He stated: “If you are exposed to loud noises for long periods (or have any gigs lined up for the coming months), wear ear protection when necessary.”
5. Coffee.
In a surprising twist, some reports claim that coffee consumption is linked to an older brain, but experts assert there’s no proof that caffeine causes dementia.
Research published in Nutritional Neuroscience indicates that heavy coffee drinkers, those consuming more than six cups daily, have a 53% increased risk of dementia diagnosis compared to those who drink one to two cups per day. These heavy drinkers also tend to have reduced total brain volume, particularly in regions associated with memory.
6. Check-ups.
Furthermore, missing GP appointments is another factor to consider.
Skipping routine health checks, such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, is a no-no. Dr Beanland emphasised: “We know that poor cardiovascular health is a risk factor for brain diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia and hence why, ‘What’s good for the heart is good for the head’.”
7. Not getting enough exercise.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, engaging in regular physical activity can slash your risk of developing dementia by 28 per cent. This includes hitting the gym, clocking up your daily steps or enjoying an invigorating morning swim.
Dr Beanland remarked: “Research has shown that doing regular physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia. Part of this is about healthier living: physical exercise, a healthy diet and so on.”
8. Taking part in contact sports.
A Danish study revealed that individuals over 50 faced an increased risk of dementia for a decade following a head injury, with the risk escalating with each additional injury sustained.
Research from the University of Glasgow indicated that professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to die from progressive brain injuries compared to the general population, and their chances of dying from Alzheimer’s are fivefold.
9. Junk food.
While there are varying views on the connection between diet and brain conditions, it’s universally acknowledged that healthy eating benefits overall well-being and offers protective effects.
Dr Beanland stated: “There is some evidence that eating a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce the risk of developing problems with memory and thinking and getting some forms of dementia. This means adding more fruit, vegetables and cereals to your shopping basket, and eating less red meat and sugary foods.”
Dr Walton commented: “There’s not a lot of evidence for exercise or diet. However, diet has been shown to influence other measures of biological ageing such as epigenetic ageing.”
10. Lack of education.
While cognitive decline is something everyone goes through as they get older. Some evidence suggests that having a higher level of education reduces this – and therefore your risk of dementia.
Dr Rosa Sancho, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, remarked: “While it’s difficult to measure the extent to which individual lifestyle factors contribute to our overall dementia risk, this study supports the idea that the education we get early in life can affect our risk of developing the condition.”
11. Living with a stressful job.
It goes without saying that too much stress isn’t good for you. While some will thrive under stress, too much will disrupt your sleep, skin and mental health, it may also cause brain shrinkage.
According to Alzheimer’s Society, stress affects the immune system, which is known to play a key role in the development of dementia. The hormone cortisol is released during periods of high stress, and this has been linked to anxiety, depression and dementia.
12. Mindless scrolling.
Research from 2023 finds that we spend an average of seven hours a day staring at a screen. However, it could be a lot more.
This is causing a huge impact on our brains – referring to something named as “digital dementia.”
Although not an official condition, it describes issues such as short-term memory problems, forgetfulness, difficulty recalling words and trouble with multitasking caused by overuse of technology.
13. Smoking.
“Although by no means a harmless habit, if you smoke, you’re putting yourself at a much higher risk of developing dementia later in life,” expressed Dr Beanland.
It’s estimated that smoking increases the risk of developing dementia by 30 to 50 per cent. According to some experts, around 14 per cent of dementia cases across the world can be attributed to smoking.
Source: Irish Star©
Graphic by ascendhealthy.com
Update:
A daily dollop of olive oil could be the secret to dodging dementia. Researchers have found that adding just a spoonful of this liquid gold to your meals might slash the risk of dying from the memory-sapping disease.
The groundbreaking research was initially unveiled in July 2023 at the American Society for Nutrition’s conference. The full peer-reviewed version of the study has now been published in the prestigious JAMA Network Open journal.
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