A dementia specialist has outlined five rules that everyone should adopt upon reaching the age of 40 to help reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease. Implementing these lifestyle adjustments could offer protection against cognitive decline.
Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer's
Dementia is a syndrome, or collection of symptoms, associated with the progressive deterioration of the brain. Most prevalent in those aged over 65, it can result in difficulties such as memory loss, behavioural changes, and even mobility issues. There are numerous forms of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most widespread.
Dr Tim Beanland, head of knowledge and learning at the Alzheimer's Society, elaborated on the condition. He said: "Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. It is caused by a physical illness that damages a person's brain. Two proteins inside the brain called amyloid and tau can build up and clump together, which makes it harder for the brain to work properly. Eventually, the brain struggles to cope with the damage as the nerve cells die and the person begins to have problems with memory and thinking. When it gets to the stage where these problems are making it difficult for the person to do everyday tasks that they used to do easily, this is called 'dementia'."
Dr Beanland added: "There are currently around one million people in the UK with dementia and about two out of three people living with dementia have Alzheimer's disease."
Early Signs of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease manifests differently in each individual, but early indicators frequently include memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties, language problems, changes to how people see and hear things, and changes in mood. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, you should speak to a GP. The Alzheimer's Society also offers an online symptom checklist to help prepare for this appointment.
Who Is at Risk?
There are certain risk factors for Alzheimer's disease that are beyond our control. "Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's, as it is for most types of dementia," said Dr Beanland. "Over 90 per cent of people with Alzheimer's are older than 65, but a small number develop symptoms below that age, known as 'young-onset Alzheimer's disease'. Overall, women are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's as men."
"To some extent, this is because women tend to live longer. The risk is about the same for both sexes until you get to the age of around 80 years. From that point onwards, women are more likely to be diagnosed with the condition. For reasons we still don't fully understand, Alzheimer's seems to work differently in women compared to men."
"Certain genes can also affect a person's chances of getting Alzheimer's. The most common is APOE. Around 1 in 4 of all people have a version of this gene called APOE4, which carries a higher risk of Alzheimer's than other types. While this might sound scary, it's important to know that most people with APOE4 don't develop dementia. It's just another risk factor."
How to Lower Your Risk
Nevertheless, it remains possible to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's through certain habits and lifestyle adjustments. Dr Beanland advised that people aged 40 and above adhere to five key principles to achieve this. These are: do not smoke; don't drink too much alcohol; be physically active; eat a healthy, balanced diet; and stay mentally and socially active.
He added: "People who live a healthy lifestyle, especially from mid-life (age 40–65) onwards, are less likely to develop Alzheimer's. This includes not smoking, not drinking too much alcohol, being physically active, and eating a healthy, balanced diet. Keeping mentally and socially active also helps."
