One dementia expert has shed light on three lifestyle changes that people should make to reduce their risk of developing the disease.
With data showing dementia affects every 1 in 3 people, the alarming rise in neurodegenerative diseases is a major cause of concern now more than ever. 982,000 people are currently living with dementia in the UK and this figure is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2040.
While there is some hopeful news that an existing shingles vaccination could serve as a preventative tool against dementia, medical experts are advising people that simple lifestyle changes today could reduce their risk of the disease down the line.
Some studies have discovered specific ways to help reduce the risk of dementia, including a rather gross habit or reaching a certain number of steps every day.
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According to The Alzheimer's Society, cutting down on alcohol consumption, smoking, and managing long-term health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, are solid ways to prevent the disease's onset.
Similarly, other research discovered key health indicators that link to an increasing number of dementia cases.
Professor Catherine Mummery appeared on This Morning, where she revealed that almost half of dementia cases are preventable by adopting three lifestyle changes.
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Firstly, the expert stressed the importance of monitoring our blood pressure.
”45 percent of dementia is preventable if you modify your risk factors," Prof. Mummery explained. "And what I mean by that is especially when you’re talking about vascular dementia, a lot of the problems that lead to that are related to problems with your blood vessels, and that, so, what’s good for your heart, is good for your brain."
She continued: “So your blood pressure, your cholesterol, if you’ve got diabetes, if you smoke, those things are all bad for your heart and bad for your brain.
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"So all of those things you can manage better will reduce your risk, especially in vascular dementia. But then there are other things that significantly reduce risk.”
Prof. Mummery went on to clarify that exercise, mental exercise and a healthy diet are key to avoiding certain types of dementia.
"So, exercise, making sure that you get regular physical exercise three times a week, get out of breath. That’s a good plan," the consultant neurologist advised. "Second thing is mental exercise - doesn’t have to be a brain game. It can be anything that you really enjoy that stretches you, that makes you feel like you’re doing something new. Whatever works for you, it can be many different things."
Alongside these, eating a healthy diet with 'vegetables and lots of fresh food,' while avoiding 'processed stuff and too much sugar' is very important.
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"And those things together will really help in terms of trying to reduce that risk of you getting any form of dementia, not just vascular dementia," she concluded.