Diabetes Type 2 and Dementia: Adopting These 7 Practices Could Potentially Lower Your Risk
People with type 2 diabetes might have a lower risk of dementia if they follow certain healthy habits.
Chatting about dementia and ways to reduce the risk of developing it is a common concern. A recent study published in Neurology offers some intriguing insights into this matter, particularly for those with diabetes. This research suggests that adopting certain healthy lifestyle choices can lead to a decreased risk of dementia, especially among individuals with diabetes.
Dementia and its risk factors
Dementia is a collective term for disorders that impact memory, thinking, and reasoning. It often gets worse over time and can significantly affect a person's everyday life and ability to live independently. While some factors like age and family history cannot be controlled, other risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol use, and diabetes, can be managed.
Type 2 diabetes, dementia, and lifestyle factors
In this study, researchers looked at the impact of seven healthy lifestyle habits on dementia risk for both those with and without diabetes. The habits included:
- Giving up smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Regular physical activity
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting adequate sleep
- Less sedentary behavior
- Frequent social contact
For this research, data was collected from the U.K. Biobank. Participants, aged 60 or older, without dementia at the start of the study, were included. Researchers excluded those with type 1 diabetes to focus on individuals with type 2 diabetes.
The participants were given a healthy lifestyle score based on the seven above factors. They were classified as following a healthy diet, for example, if they consumed at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week.
The study included over 160,000 participants, more than 12,000 of whom had diabetes. Researchers monitored the participants for an average of 12 years and found that adhering to a healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. This risk reduction was even more significant among people with diabetes.
Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., the study's author, explained to Medical News Today: "Our findings highlight that, although patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing dementia later compared to those without, adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle may greatly reduce this risk."
However, it's important to note that the study had several limitations. Information on lifestyle behaviors was self-reported, increasing the risk of errors in data collection. Additionally, data on lifestyle factor changes was not collected, and data about lifestyle factors before diabetes development were not available.
Takeaways and further research
The study suggests that incorporating healthy lifestyle habits may decrease the risk of dementia, especially among people with diabetes. Yet, it's crucial to note that the study has limitations, and future research is needed to confirm these findings. Nevertheless, adopting a healthy lifestyle is beneficial for overall health, and it may also contribute to the prevention or delayed onset of dementia in people with diabetes.
- Healthy Diet
- Regular Physical Activity
- Stress Management
- Quality Sleep
- Social Interaction
These healthy habits, according to the recent Neurology study, can help reduce dementia risk, particularly for people with type 2 diabetes. It's essential for doctors and other medical professionals to discuss these lifestyle changes with their patients, as they may not only improve overall health but also help prevent or delay dementia in people with diabetes.
- The link between type 2 diabetes and dementia is a topic of interest, with new research indicating that adopting healthier lifestyle choices may decrease the risk of developing dementia, especially among diabetes patients.
- Dementia is a collective term for disorders that impair memory, thinking, and reasoning, often worsening over time and affecting a person's everyday life.
- While some risk factors, such as age and family history, cannot be controlled, other factors like smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol use, and diabetes can be managed to potentially lower the risk of dementia.
- A study published in Neurology focused on the impact of seven healthy lifestyle habits on dementia risk for both people with and without diabetes.
- The seven habits included quitting smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, less sedentary behavior, and frequent social contact.
- Researchers found that following a healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of developing dementia, with a more significant reduction seen among people with diabetes.
- The study's author, Dr. Yingli Lu, emphasized that although diabetes patients have a higher risk of developing dementia, adhering to a healthy lifestyle could significantly reduce this risk.
- However, the study had several limitations, such as self-reported data and a lack of data on lifestyle factor changes and factors before diabetes development.
- Despite these limitations, the study underscores the importance of incorporating healthy lifestyle habits to potentially prevent or delay dementia in diabetes patients.
- Additionally, focusing on health and wellness, fitness, and exercise, mental health, and nutrition can contribute to overall health and could potentially delay or prevent the onset of chronic diseases, including dementia.
- In light of this research, health professionals must discuss these lifestyle changes with their patients, as they may improve overall health and potentially help prevent or delay dementia in people with diabetes.
