It is not clear what causes dementia. It is likely that a mixture of our age, genes, environment and lifestyle contribute to whether we develop dementia.
The risk of developing most dementias increases with age that means as we get older, we are more likely to develop dementia. Importantly, however, dementia is not a normal part of getting older or an acceleration of ageing.
Our age cannot be changed and there is currently no way dementia can be completely prevented, but research suggests there may be some simple things we can all do that might help lower our risk of developing dementia.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that can increase your chance of developing dementia. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) are also risk factors for all types of dementia. So it is a good idea to keep healthy by:
- exercising regularly
- not smoking
- achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
- controlling high blood pressure
- reducing cholesterol levels
- controlling your blood glucose if you have diabetes
- eating a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and low amounts of saturated fat
- encouraging active minds e.g. reading
How a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing dementia
Living in a healthy lifestyle may reduce your risk of developing dementia in the same way that it can reduce your risk of having heart disease or a stroke? By keeping your body healthy – especially your heart – you can help to keep your brain healthy too. This is because some forms of dementia are caused by a reduction of blood flow to the brain.
Eat Healthily
Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and try to limit the number of high fat sugary and salty foods you eat.
Drink alcohol in moderation
Get active and stay active on a daily basis
Over a week, you should be doing at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate intensive activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more such as a daily walk.
Keep a healthy weight
Nearly a quarter of all adults in the UK are obese. Obesity is linked to the development of dementia so it is important to keep in shape.
Stop Smoking
Smoking has an extremely harmful effect on the heart, lungs and blood system (including the blood system in your brain). To find your local stop smoking service call 0800 085 2917