1 in 3 Alzheimer's cases preventable, says research

[Bob Of Burleson]

BBC.com

One in three cases of Alzheimer's disease worldwide is preventable, according to research from the University of Cambridge.

The main risk factors for the disease are a lack of exercise, smoking, depression and poor education, it says.

Previous research from 2011 put the estimate at one in two cases, but this new study takes into account overlapping risk factors.

Alzheimer's Research UK said age was still the biggest risk factor.

Writing in The Lancet Neurology, the Cambridge team analysed population-based data to work out the main seven risk factors for Alzheimer's disease.

These are:

• Diabetes
• Mid-life hypertension
• Mid-life obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Depression
• Smoking
• Low educational attainment

They worked out that a third of Alzheimer's cases could be linked to lifestyle factors that could be modified, such as lack of exercise and smoking.

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[marti]

Hope its true because I don't have any of the factors.
Since I'm approaching 65 I worry about getting Alzheimer's and dementia.

[LibraryLady]

I take those recommendations with a large amount of salt.
My mother had Alzheimer's.........


• Diabetes --nope
• Mid-life hypertension--nope
• Mid-life obesity -overweight, not obese
• Physical inactivity --definitely not
• Depression - no more "blues" than normal
• Smoking - never
• Low educational attainment - no

So, the only profile that matched her was overweight.

[kent]

that list is so general, it can apply to anyone.

[knotlazy]

Although my mother never smoked...she fits all the other criteria....and even though she has a tendency to grasp for specific words now...she is still pretty sharp. However, the rest of her health is pretty much shot.

I think that list is good for all of us to observe. I know I need to add more activity...other than that I should be good to go for a long time.