Outsmart Dementia—No Matter Your DNA!
Gone are the days when we can blame our genes for our health problems.
Sure, they play a role.
But your lifestyle choices play an even bigger part in your disease risk.
This is especially the case when it comes to dementia.
Experts confirm lifestyle choices can send your dementia risk soaring…
In a recent study, researchers examined 12 years of data on more than 61,000 people ages 37 to 70.
They measured their cardiorespiratory fitness levels with a six-minute exercise bike test. This indicates how well your body delivers oxygen to your muscles.
They also evaluated participants’ genetic risk for dementia using the polygenetic risk score, which measures a combination of genetic variants that contribute to dementia risk.
Researchers found that folks at a higher genetic risk of dementia—but who ALSO had higher cardiorespiratory fitness scores—were 35 percent less likely to develop the disease.
Having higher cardiorespiratory fitness cut the risk of dementia by 40 percent overall.
The higher the fitness level, the lower the dementia risk.
Earlier research confirms the connection between fitness and dementia risk. However, this study went a step further, showing the protective effects even in people with a higher genetic risk.
The best way to increase your cardiorespiratory fitness is with exercises that increase your heart rate.
This can include walking, jogging, hiking, cycling, dancing, swimming, stair-climbing, circuit training, or anything else that gets you breathing heavy.
Just be sure to start slow and talk with your doctor about any potential health risks before you begin.
P.S. Nutrient slashes dementia risk up to 48 percent!
View Sources
Wang S, Xu L, Yang W, et al, Association of cardiorespiratory fitness with dementia risk across different levels of genetic predisposition: a large community-based longitudinal study, British Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;59:150-158.
