Lowering Dementia Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Sufferers: Adopting These 7 Habits
Heads up! Here's a lowdown on dementia risks for those with type 2 diabetes
Dementia, a chronic and debilitating condition, has no cure. But worry not, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing it. A recent study published in Neurology sheds light on how certain healthy lifestyle choices can help lower the risk of dementia for people with type 2 diabetes.
Dementia - What you need to know
Dementia is a broad term for disorders that hinder your ability to remember, think, and reason. It typically worsens over time, affecting daily life and independence.
While some risk factors, like age and family history, cannot be altered, others can be modified to reduce risk. For example, smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol use, and diabetes all pose risks for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Diabetes, particularly type 2, is also a risk factor for dementia. Fortunately, people with diabetes can work with their doctors to manage their condition and improve their health. Research continues to explore how healthy lifestyle changes can improve conditions like diabetes and reduce dementia risk.
Healthy lifestyle habits - Your secret weapon
Researchers in this study examined seven healthy lifestyle habits and their impact on dementia risk. They considered these habits both for people with diabetes and those without. The habits included:
- Not smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Regular physical activity
- Eating a healthy diet
- Adequate sleep
- Less sedentary behavior
- Frequent social contact
The researchers analyzed data from the U.K. Biobank, focusing on individuals aged 60 or older without dementia at the study's start. They excluded participants with type 1 diabetes to focus solely on type 2 diabetes.
Participants were assigned a healthy lifestyle score based on the seven factors listed above. Each category had a specific definition of healthy behavior. For instance, someone was considered regularly physically active if they engaged in at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week.
The study consisted of over 160,000 participants, with more than 12,000 having diabetes. Researchers followed the participants for an average of 12 years and found that healthy lifestyle habits were associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. However, this decrease was even more pronounced among those with diabetes.
Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., one of the study's authors, noted to Medical News Today that maintaining healthy lifestyle habits could significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia for people with diabetes.
While the study has its limitations, such as self-reported lifestyle behaviors and the potential exclusion of people with lower education and socioeconomic status, it adds to a growing body of data regarding the impact of lifestyle choices on health. The research team encourages doctors to recommend lifestyle changes to their patients with diabetes as these changes can benefit overall health and potentially delay or prevent dementia.
Remember, maintaining good blood sugar control is essential for people with type 2 diabetes. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, regular exercise, stress management, good sleep quality, engaging in social activities, limiting sedentary behavior, and managing overall health are all important steps to potentially reduce your risk of dementia.
Stay healthy, stay smart! 🤓💪💪
- Dementia, a condition that affects memory, thinking, and reasoning, poses risks for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
- A recent study published in Neurology highlighted healthy lifestyle choices that can help reduce dementia risk in people with type 2 diabetes.
- The study examined seven factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, diet, sleep, sedentary behavior, and social contact.
- People with diabetes who maintained healthy lifestyle habits were found to have lower dementia risks compared to those who didn't.
- Dementia risks were particularly reduced for people with type 2 diabetes who maintained these healthy habits.
- While certain factors like age and family history cannot be altered, others like lifestyle choices can be modified to reduce dementia risk.
- Paxlovid, a science-backed medication for COVID-19 treatment, should be used within the context of a person's overall health and medical conditions, including chronic diseases like dementia and type 2 diabetes.
- Maintaining good health and wellness through therapies, treatments, exercise, nutrition, and mental health management can potentially delay or prevent dementia in people with type 2 diabetes.
