There are certain lifestyle factors that may lead to the development of conditions as people age, and Alzheimer’s Disease is one of those conditions.
While it is not completely preventable, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of California sheds light on how lifestyle factors dictate Alzheimer’s risk. This post explains the study, the demographics most affected, and the steps that may help reduce risks.
Alzheimer’s Disease still has many unknowns, but researchers continue to make progress in understanding it. A decade after finding that one in three cases was linked to modifiable risk factors, further studies have provided deeper insights.
Originally, these factors included smoking and a lack of physical activity. However, updated research shows that modifiable risks for Alzheimer’s can differ based on race, age, and ethnicity. Among the cases studied, researchers found that there were eight lifestyle factors that could be tied to Alzheimer’s Disease.
They include the previous risk factors as well as:
Of these risk factors, midlife obesity was the most common association at 17.7%, followed by physical activity at 11.8%, and low educational attainment. These findings again highlight how lifestyle factors dictate Alzheimer’s risk, especially during midlife.
When University of California researchers reviewed how these risks differed across groups, they found notable distinctions. African American and Hispanic participants most commonly showed midlife obesity as a risk factor. Asian participants were the least likely to have risk factors tied to Alzheimer’s.
Gender played a role as well. Men showed more risk factors connected to Alzheimer’s, yet more than half of individuals currently living with the condition are women.
Men may face higher risk due to higher rates of high blood pressure and smoking. Women are more likely to experience depression, which is another factor linked to Alzheimer’s.
The research suggests that some Alzheimer’s cases are associated with unhealthy habits.
One way to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is to modify these risk factors. Exercising for at least 30 minutes, three to four times a week is one way to address the lack of physical activity.
Being mindful of your diet can help reduce things like obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Diets like the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes the inclusion of most foods without too much red meat, is an example. Other diets may work just as well, depending upon your preferences and existing health concerns.
Most adults benefit from 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Improving sleep may help with Alzheimer’s prevention because adequate sleep supports amyloid clearance from the brain. Staying socially connected may help as well, though research is still growing in this area.
Learning new things is also something that is thought to help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. However, these are usually tasks that are learned, as opposed to improving thinking skills and activities of daily living.
Making lifestyle changes to improve conditions and overall health is an important part of the work a home health care team does. At Voyager Home Health Care, we help patients in the Pueblo, CO area, regain their independence, improve daily functioning, and make healthier lifestyle choices through education.
To learn more about our home health services, including support from Family CNAs and Parent CNAs, contact us today at (719)-401-5654!
Home health nurses, therapists, aides, and case managers do a lot to help patients who need home health services for support and monitoring.
To learn more about how Voyager Home Health helps patients in the Denver, CO, area, reach out to us today at (719)-401-5654.
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