Dementia: Nurture or nature?
Ten percent of Americans over 65 have dementia, and more than a fifth have mild cognitive decline. But how much of it is from lifestyle and how much is inherited?
A new study helps provide an answer. It examined the lifestyle habits of 29,000 older adults assessing their diets, exercise habits, cognitive activity, social engagement, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. It then used these criteria to assign each participant to either a high-, average-, or low-risk group for developing dementia. Those with the genetic marker for Alzheimer’s were similarly categorized.
After 10 years, diet proved to be the biggest predictor of both dementia and age-related memory loss. This was followed respectively by cognitive activity, exercise, and social contact. The low-risk group reduced their likelihood of dementia by 90% compared to the high-risk group. A similar reduction was found in those with the genetic marker.
If someone has a strong inherited tendency to develop a serious genetic disease, it may warrant testing, but for most of us, our lifestyle choices still play the major role in how our lives turn out.
Eat the Mediterranean diet. Exercise regularly. Engage in cognitive and social activities like traveling and getting together with friends.
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the country, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines limit alcohol to two drinks a day for men and one for women. Drinking much more increases the risk of all-cause mortality.
Exercise has the advantage of having a kindling effect that encourages other healthy behaviors. Walking in a peaceful outdoor setting being mindful of your surroundings is a good start. It may also help you remember what you thought you forgot.
William Culbert is a retired physician who lives in Oak Ridge.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Is dementia inherited? Study finds diet the biggest predictor
