The Biggest Dementia Risk Factor REVEALED
I’m sure you’re familiar with the Skeleton Dance song…
“The foot bone is connected to the leg bone. The leg bone is connected to the knee bone…”
It’s easy to think of our bones being linked because we can physically see them.
What’s less obvious is that everything else about your health is JUST as connected.
Today, I want to highlight a seemingly unrelated connection… how your heart health can impact your dementia risk.
The best way to avoid dementia is to avoid the risk factors that can cause it. It’s that simple, really.
In fact, prior research has uncovered 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia that incredibly could prevent about 40 percent of cases.
They are…
- Low education
- Hypertension
- Hearing impairment
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Depression
- Inactivity
- Diabetes
- Low social contact
- Excessive alcohol
- Head injury
- Air pollution
But now, in a recent study, researchers looked even deeper, analyzing 27 studies on dementia risk factors that spanned 70 years.
The study revealed that certain risks from that earlier list—like smoking and education—have become less important in predicting dementia.
Meanwhile, other risk factors from the list, including obesity and diabetes, have become MORE critical.
However, this new evaluation also revealed the biggest dementia risk factor of all on the list, and that is hypertension or high blood pressure.
Now, with so many folks battling high blood pressure, you might think that’s a disaster.
But I think it’s GREAT news because your blood pressure is entirely within your control (that’s why it’s called a modifiable risk factor).
Start by taking some simple steps to reduce your blood pressure, including more exercise, easing stress, and eating a whole-food diet.
Then make the one change most folks overlook but is vital, which is to get a daily dose of midday sun. UV light on the skin releases nitric oxide to naturally lower blood pressure, supporting not only your heart but also your brain.
P.S. Take a STAND against high blood pressure. [EASY!]
SOURCE:
Naaheed Mukadam, PhD, Frank J Wolters, MD PhD, Sebastian Walsh, MPhil, et al., “Changes in prevalence and incidence of dementia and risk factors for dementia: an analysis from cohort studies,” The Lancet Public Health, Volume 9, ISSUE 7, e443-e460, July 2024
