Diabetes Type 2 and the Seven Habits That Might Decrease Dementia Risk
Article: Diabetes Patients Reduce Dementia Risk Through Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Diabetes, a prevalent health condition globally, may increase the risk of developing dementia. However, a recent study published in Neurology suggests that certain lifestyle choices can mitigate this risk.
Dementia, a chronic and debilitating condition, affects an individual's ability to remember, think, and reason. While it doesn't currently have a cure, adopting healthy habits might help reduce the risk of developing dementia.
According to the study, diabetes patients who practice specific lifestyle strategies were found to have a lower risk of developing dementia. The habits under investigation included:
- Abstaining from smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Regular physical activity
- Eating a healthy diet
- Adequate sleep
- Less sedentary behavior
- Frequent social interactions
Researchers collected data from the U.K. Biobank, focusing on participants aged 60 or older without dementia at the study's inception. The study excluded persons with type one diabetes, allowing the team to concentrate on type two diabetes cases.
Individuals were assigned a healthy lifestyle score based on the seven factors mentioned above, with definitions provided for each category regarding what qualified as a healthy behavior. For instance, someone was classified as physically active if they engaged in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week.
With over 160,000 participants, including more than 12,000 with diabetes, the study followed the participants for an average of 12 years. The findings confirmed that a healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of dementia. This risk reduction was more pronounced among participants with diabetes.
Dr. Yingli Lu, the study's author, commented to Medical News Today: "Our findings suggest that although patients with diabetes face a higher risk of dementia than those without, adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce this risk."
While the study indicates a connection between healthy lifestyle choices and lower dementia risk, particularly in diabetes patients, it did have certain limitations. Data on lifestyle behaviors was self-reported, increasing the risk of errors in data collection. Additionally, the researchers only collected data on participants' lifestyle factors at the study's inception and did not collect data on any subsequent lifestyle changes.
Nevertheless, the study provides valuable insights into how lifestyle modifications might improve health, including the prevention or delay of dementia in diabetes patients. Dr. Lu emphasized, "Our data may have important implications for medical professionals who treat diabetes patients. [They] should consider recommending lifestyle changes to their patients. Such changes may promote overall health and possibly contribute to the prevention or delayed onset of dementia in people with diabetes."
The study's findings align with other research indicating that lifestyle choices impact brain health and may reduce dementia risk. As Dr. Lu stated, future research is needed to determine the specific effects of combined healthy behaviors and the mechanisms by which they impact cognitive outcomes in diabetes patients.
- Despite diabetes potentially increasing the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia, science suggests adopting a healthy lifestyle can help mitigate this risk.
- A study in Neurology found that those with type-2 diabetes who adhere to healthy lifestyle strategies have a lower risk of developing dementia.
- The study, conducted on participants aged 60 and above from the UK Biobank, focused on seven lifestyle factors: abstaining from smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular exercise, healthy diet, adequate sleep, less sedentary behavior, and frequent social interactions.
- The researchers excluded persons with type-1 diabetes to concentrate on type-2 diabetes cases and assess the impact of healthy lifestyle choices on dementia risk.
- Paxlovid, or medication, wasn't a factor in the study, as the focus was on lifestyle choices and their role in promoting health and wellness, particularly in the context of chronic diseases like diabetes and mental-health conditions like dementia.
- The study, with over 160,000 participants and more than 12,000 with diabetes, followed the participants for an average of 12 years, confirming that a healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower dementia risk, especially among diabetes patients.
- Despite having certain limitations, such as self-reported lifestyle data and lack of data on subsequent lifestyle changes, the study provides valuable insights into improving health and potentially preventing or delaying dementia in diabetes patients.
- The researchers suggested that medical professionals treating diabetes patients should consider recommending healthy lifestyle changes, which could promote overall health and possibly contribute to the prevention or delayed onset of dementia in people with diabetes. This approach encompasses fitness and exercise, nutrition, and mental health considerations, contributing to the broader field of aging well.
