Lowering Dementia Risk in Type 2 Diabetes: Exploring Seven Habits
Type 2 diabetes might not only potentially lead to complications like heart disease and vision loss, but it could also put individuals at an increased risk for dementia. However, researchers are still investigating how lifestyle factors can impact dementia risk among those with diabetes.
A recent study suggested that practicing healthier choices, such as regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep, could lower the risk of dementia for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Dementia and Dangers Beyond Diabetes
Dementia is a term used to describe various conditions that affect memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities. Typically, dementia gets worse over time, impacting a person's daily life and independence significantly. Age is a non-modifiable risk factor for dementia, but factors like smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and type 2 diabetes are modifiable factors that can contribute to the development of dementia.
Diabetes, Dementia, and Lifestyle Adjustments
In a recent study, researchers evaluated how seven healthy lifestyle habits impacted dementia risk in individuals with and without diabetes. The habits included:
- Abstaining from smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Regular physical activity
- Eating a healthy diet
- Adequate sleep
- Less sedentary behavior
- Frequent social contact
Utilizing the UK Biobank, the researchers examined the lifestyle habits of more than 160,000 participants, with over 12,000 participants having diabetes. After following the participants for an average of 12 years, the study found that healthy lifestyle factors were associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. The reduction in dementia risk was even more significant among those with diabetes.
Study author Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China, explained to Medical News Today:
"Our findings highlight that although patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing dementia later compared with those without, adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle may significantly reduce this risk."
While the study provides insight into the connection between healthy lifestyle habits and dementia risk, it had several limitations, such as self-reported lifestyle data, lack of lifestyle factor change data, and potential misclassification of participants with diabetes or prediabetes. Nevertheless, the research might have essential implications for healthcare professionals who treat people with diabetes, suggesting they should consider recommending lifestyle changes to their patients, possibly contributing to the prevention of dementia.
Aside from practicing regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep, you might consider adopting stress-reduction techniques, engaging in social activities, and maintaining a healthy body weight to potentially lower your risk of developing dementia. It is always essential to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance. Ongoing research will undoubtedly shed light on other ways we can modify our lifestyle habits to improve cognitive health and lower dementia risk.
- Dementia, a condition affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning, can worsen over time, impacting daily life and independence significantly.
- Factors like smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and type 2 diabetes are modifiable risks that can contribute to the development of dementia.
- In a study, researchers examined seven healthy lifestyle habits and their impact on dementia risk in individuals with and without diabetes.
- These habits included abstaining from smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, less sedentary behavior, and frequent social contact.
- The study, which followed participants for 12 years, found that adherence to healthy lifestyle factors was associated with a lower risk of developing dementia, especially for those with diabetes.
- Study author Dr. Yingli Lu highlighted that while people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing dementia, adherence to a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce this risk.
- In addition to regular exercise, balanced diet, and sufficient sleep, stress-reduction techniques, social activities, and maintaining a healthy body weight might help lower the risk of developing dementia, though personalized advice from a healthcare professional is essential.
