Altering the Text: Lowering Risk for Dementia in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: 7 Practices to Consider
Diabetes and Dementia: A Closer Look at Lowering Your Risk
Dealing with dementia is overwhelming, and understanding how to decrease your risk is essential. Research published in Neurology provides some insight into the matter, particularly for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Understanding Dementia and Its Risk Factors
Dementia encompasses a range of disorders that negatively impact memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities. As time passes, the condition typically worsens, interfering with daily life and independence. Factors like age and family history are unchangeable risk factors, but there are lifestyle modifications to consider. Smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and type 2 diabetes are all risks for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Diabetes, in particular, is a significant risk factor for dementia. By adopting healthy habits, individuals with diabetes can potentially decrease their risk of developing dementia. Though additional research is ongoing, a recent study shines light on the role of healthy lifestyle choices.
Type 2 Diabetes, Dementia, and Lifestyle Factors
Researchers in the study examined the impact of seven healthy lifestyle habits on dementia risk in individuals with and without diabetes. The habits included:
- Quitting smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Regular physical activity
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting adequate sleep
- Less sedentary behavior
- Having frequent social contact
Researchers used the UK Biobank for data collection, focusing on participants aged 60 or older without dementia at the study's onset. Moreover, they excluded individuals with type 1 diabetes for a more targeted focus on type 2 diabetes.
The researchers assigned participants a healthy lifestyle score based on their adherence to these seven behaviors. They then followed over 160,000 participants, including more than 12,000 with diabetes, for an average of 12 years. The results showed that healthy lifestyle factors contributed to a lower risk of developing dementia. Interestingly, this reduction was more prominent among participants with diabetes.
"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 greatly reduce this risk," noted study author Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China.
Study Limitations and Future Research
While the study suggests a lower dementia risk with healthy lifestyle habits, particularly among those with diabetes, it also brings to light some limitations. Data on lifestyle behaviors was self-reported, potentially leading to errors. Additionally, lifestyle factor data was collected at baseline, and there was no data on lifestyle factor changes over time or before diabetes diagnosis. Moreover, participants who had to be excluded based on missing data may have had lower education and socioeconomic status, which could have impacted the results.
Nevertheless, the study adds to the growing body of evidence about the role of lifestyle choices in health. Dr. Lu explained to Medical News Today:
"Our data may have important implications for doctors, and other medical professionals who treat people with diabetes. [They] should consider recommending lifestyle changes to their patients. Such changes may not only improve overall health but also contribute to the prevention or delayed onset of dementia in people with diabetes. Future research is needed to determine how combined healthy lifestyle behaviors benefit cognitive outcomes in diabetes and the possible mechanisms."
Insights:
According to a study and related research, adopting specific healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking, can potentially decrease the risk of developing dementia, particularly for individuals with type 2 diabetes or those at risk for Alzheimer's disease. By focusing on these areas and reducing stress, individuals can work towards a decreased risk of developing dementia.
- Dementia affects a person's memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities, and as it progresses, it interferes with daily life and independence.
- Age and family history are unchangeable risk factors for dementia, but factors such as smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and type 2 diabetes are modifiable risks.
- The study examining the impact of lifestyle habits on dementia risk focused on participants aged 60 or older without dementia at the study's onset, and those with type 1 diabetes were excluded to focus on type 2 diabetes.
- A healthy lifestyle score was assigned to participants based on their adherence to seven healthy behaviors, including quitting smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, less sedentary behavior, and having frequent social contact.
- The researchers followed over 160,000 participants, including more than 12,000 with diabetes, for an average of 12 years.
- The results showed that healthy lifestyle factors contributed to a lower risk of developing dementia, with the reduction being more significant among participants with diabetes.
- The study suggests that adhering to an overall healthy lifestyle may help reduce the risk of developing dementia, particularly for individuals with diabetes.
- The study found that multiple healthy lifestyle factors may have important implications for doctors and medical professionals who treat people with diabetes, as they can consider recommending lifestyle changes to their patients.
- Future research is needed to determine the possible mechanisms of how combined healthy lifestyle behaviors benefit cognitive outcomes in diabetes and dementia.
- By focusing on practices like fitness and exercise, nutrition, mental health, and healthy habits, individuals can work towards reducing their risk of developing dementia and other chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes.
