Possible habits with potential to lower risk of dementia for individuals with type 2 diabetes:
A Fresh Look at Diabetes, Dementia, and Healthy Living
Dementia, a chronic condition known for its debilitating impact on memory and reasoning, has left many wondering what steps they can take to reduce their risk. A recent study published in Neurology provides some intriguing insights for those with type 2 diabetes.
Navigating Dementia: Understanding the Risks
Dementia, an umbrella term for disorders affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning, often worsens over time and can significantly impact daily life. While quite a few risk factors are beyond our control, such as age and genetic predisposition, lifestyle choices can make a difference.
Despite the general link between type 2 diabetes and a increased dementia risk, people with diabetes can team up with their healthcare providers to manage the condition and promote better health. Ongoing research continues to explore how adopting healthy habits can help reduce both diabetes and dementia risks.
Diabetes, Dementia, and Lifestyle Factors: Key Findings
In this study, researchers examined seven healthy lifestyle habits and their impact on dementia risk among both people with and without diabetes. These habits included:
- Quitting smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Regular exercise
- Healthy eating
- Adequate sleep
- Reducing sedentary time
- Frequent social interactions
The study utilized the UK Biobank for its data collection, focusing on participants aged 60 and older. Distinctly, it excluded individuals with type 1 diabetes to specifically study type 2 diabetes and dementia connections.
Participants were assigned a healthy lifestyle score based on the seven mentioned factors. For example, someone classified as engaging in regular exercise met the criteria of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous activity.
With over 160,000 participants (including more than 12,000 with diabetes) and a follow-up period averaging 12 years, the study found that healthy lifestyle habits were linked to a lower risk of developing dementia. This risk reduction was particularly significant for those with diabetes.
Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., the study's lead author, remarked 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."
Limitations and Future Research
While the study suggests a connection between healthy habits and lower dementia risk, particularly among those with diabetes, it did have its limitations. For instance, self-reported lifestyle data may contain errors, and information on lifestyle changes wasn't collected. Additionally, the researchers had to exclude participants based on missing data, who were more likely to have lower education levels and socioeconomic status.
Despite these challenges, the study provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals working with diabetes patients. Dr. Lu suggested that they consider recommending lifestyle changes to their patients, as they could enhance overall health and potentially contribute to dementia prevention. Future research is necessary to better understand the practical benefits of combined healthy lifestyle behaviors and their impact on cognitive outcomes for people with diabetes.
As the study only included mostly Caucasian participants, it's imperative for future studies to explore diverse populations to develop more inclusive recommendations for reducing dementia risk across different demographics.
[1] Lifestyle factors and risk of dementia among people with and without diabetes: a UK Biobank study. Neurology. DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000202958. [2] Dementia in diabetes mellitus: prevalence, pathogenesis, and potential strategies for prevention - a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetologia. DOI: 10.1007/s00125-021-05450-1. [3] Association of long-term diabetes and prediabetes motor and cognitive changes: the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18259. [4] The role of sedentary behavior in the risk of developing cognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Geriatrics and Gerontology. DOI: 10.1007/s00343-021-01724-3. [5] Exercise as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. DOI: 10.3390/jcm10072310.
- Despite genetic predisposition and age being uncontrollable risk factors for dementia, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can make a difference.
- The recent study in Neurology examined seven healthy lifestyle habits and their impact on dementia risk, including regular exercise and reducing sedentary time.
- The findings suggest that healthy lifestyle habits can lower the risk of developing dementia, particularly for those with type 2 diabetes.
- The study on lifestyle factors and dementia risk employed the UK Biobank for data collection, focusing on participants aged 60 and older, and excluded those with type 1 diabetes.
- Healthcare professionals should consider recommending lifestyle changes to their patients, as they could enhance overall health and potentially contribute to dementia prevention.
- The study provides valuable insights for chronic disease management, such as diabetes, and promoting health and wellness through fitness and exercise, nutrition, and mental health.
- Future research is necessary to better understand the practical benefits of combined healthy lifestyle behaviors on cognitive outcomes, especially for people with diabetes.
- As the study only included mostly Caucasian participants, it's essential for future studies to explore diverse populations to develop more inclusive recommendations for reducing dementia risk across different demographics.
