Diabetes Type 2 and Dementia: Seven Behaviors That Could Potentially Lower the Risk for Sufferers
Diabetes Type 2 Increases Dementia Risk, but Healthy Lifestyle Habits Can Help
New research published in Neurology suggests that people with diabetes may have a lower risk of developing dementia if they adopt certain healthy lifestyle choices. In a study of over 160,000 participants aged 60 and older, researchers found that a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, and adequate sleep, was associated with a decreased risk of dementia.
Dementia, a chronic condition characterized by memory loss, confusion, and cognitive decline, affects millions of people worldwide. Although the exact causes of dementia are not fully understood, it is known that certain risk factors for the disease include age, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle factors.
diabetes is a recognized risk factor for dementia, particularly type 2 diabetes. The study focused on individuals with type 2 diabetes to determine if lifestyle choices could modify the risk of dementia.
To measure the impact of healthy lifestyle habits, researchers assessed seven behaviors: not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, getting adequate amounts of sleep, less sedentary behavior, and having frequent social contact. Participants were assigned a healthy lifestyle score based on their adherence to these behaviors.
Researchers found that healthy lifestyle factors were associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. Importantly, the risk reduction was even more pronounced among participants with diabetes.
Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China, one of the study authors, stated, "Our findings highlight that although patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing dementia later compared with those without, adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle may greatly reduce this risk."
Although the study indicates that a healthy lifestyle may decrease the risk for dementia, particularly among people with diabetes, it did have several limitations. For instance, information on lifestyle behaviors was self-reported, and the study did not collect data on lifestyle factor changes or data before diabetes diagnosis.
Nonetheless, the study's results underscore the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of dementia in individuals with diabetes. Dr. Lu noted, "Our data may have important implications for doctors, [and] medical professionals who treat people with diabetes. [They] should consider recommending lifestyle changes to their patients. Such changes may not only improve overall health but also contribute to the prevention or delayed onset of dementia in people with diabetes."
As more research is conducted, healthcare providers may be better able to personalize the recommendations for patients with diabetes to reduce their risk of developing dementia. In addition, subsequent studies could explore the mechanisms that link healthy lifestyle habits and dementia risk.
- The study suggests that adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle, consisting of not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, less sedentary behavior, and having frequent social contact, can help decrease the risk of dementia, particularly for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
- Dementia, a type of chronic disease affecting memory, cognition, and mental health, is associated with risk factors such as age, genetics, and certain medical conditions like diabetes.
- The scientific community continues to explore the contextual relationship between dementia and chronic diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimers, and mental health conditions.
- Health-and-wellness professionals, including therapists and medical practitioners, may utilize this study's findings to retarget their treatments and recommendations for individuals with type-2 diabetes, focusing on the importance of healthy choices for the prevention or delay of dementia.
- Fitness-and-exercise, a critical aspect of a healthy lifestyle, has been shown in the study to play a vital role in dementia prevention, especially among people with diabetes.
- The field of science should continue to investigate the connection between nutrition and the risk of chronic diseases such as dementia and type-2 diabetes.
- Beyond the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits, further research is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the scientific mechanisms that link lifestyle factors with the risk of dementia, particularly among people with diabetes.
- Individuals with chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes can take proactive steps towards understanding and addressing their increased risk of dementia by prioritizing health-promoting decisions such as sleep, nutrition, and regular exercise, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and mental health.
