The Lancet Commission informs that global dementia cases could be cut down by almost 50% if 14 controllable risk factors are properly managed. It added deprivation of vision and high LDL cholesterol recently to its list of risk factors originally published in a 2020 report. These factors are ideally controllable by society.
For maintaining brain health, the director of the Institute for Memory and Cognition at Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin, Dr Seán Kennelly, suggests physical activity during middle age as vital. Social interaction is another key factor he emphasises on.
According to Dr Kennelly, social interaction behaves like a mental workout for the brain as it involves recalling past conversations and makes connections to others, thus boosting our cognitive abilities. He also mentions that day centres play a crucial role in providing cognitive stimulation to the elderly. In addition, he suggests regular hearing tests as the absence of hearing potentially poses a risk for dementia.
Important aspects that people tend to overlook are remaining current with vaccinations, which play a part in reducing dementia risk later in life. This is possibly because infections tend to increase the production of proteins. Staying up-to-date with flu vaccines and shingles vaccines, which should offer protection for around seven years, is advised.
While the Mediterranean diet is promoted, Dr Kennelly recognises accessibility and affordability as constraints and advocates the need for public health initiatives that help individuals make healthier food choices — predominantly fish and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Lancet Commission has identified 14 risk factors that can be altered. These include:
During early life,
– 1) Lack of education.
In midlife,
– 2) Hearing impairment
– 3) Elevated cholesterol levels (LDL)
– 4) Emotional desolation
– 5) Injuries to the brain that are severe
– 6) Lack of physical activity
– 7) Diabetic condition
– 8) Tobacco usage
– 9) High blood pressure
– 10) Excess weight
– 11) Alcohol abuse
In latter life,
– 12) Loneliness and lack of social interaction
– 13) Pollution in the air
– 14) Deterioration of vision.