Bad Eating Habits, Hypertension, Smoking... Quit Smoking Now and Change Your Eating Habits First
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] Researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands have pinpointed three bad lifestyle habits that are likely to lead to dementia.
The researchers surveyed 4,164 men and women with an average age of 59 about their lifestyle habits and conducted brain scans on them. As a result, signs of brain damage were found in those with bad lifestyle habits even before dementia symptoms appeared.
The researchers compared the questionnaires with the brain scan images. They identified poor diet, hypertension, and smoking as lifestyle habits that could lead to dementia.
They scored the participants' responses to questions related to health habits, which varied widely. Those who received low scores for their lifestyle habits were also found to lag in information processing, performing complex tasks, and concentration.
Subsequent brain scans showed that individuals with low questionnaire scores and a high predicted risk of dementia did not yet exhibit dementia symptoms but did show some signs of brain damage.
In a report published online on August 25 (local time) in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Neurology, the researchers stated that "brain shrinkage and cerebrovascular damage were observed" in these individuals. These changes were mostly evident in the brains of men.
Sebastian Koller, Associate Professor at the Limburg Alzheimer Center affiliated with Maastricht University and the lead researcher of this study, explained, "It is already known that unhealthy lifestyles can increase the risk of dementia. However, this study shows that even before dementia symptoms manifest, signs of brain damage and cognitive problems can already be present."
There is also a positive aspect. This study suggests that it is not too late to change lifestyle habits and reduce the likelihood of developing dementia.
Associate Professor Koller advised, "The good news is that you can do anything to correct bad lifestyle habits. Even at 55, it is not too late, so quitting smoking and changing dietary habits should be prioritized to lower the risk of dementia." This means it is possible to prevent further brain damage and cognitive decline starting now.
Here, a poor diet refers to consuming foods or drinks high in sugar, foods high in saturated fats and low in fiber. It is widely known that frequent consumption of fast food or processed foods is harmful to health.
Associate Professor Koller added, "This study shows how important it is for brain health to change bad lifestyle habits both in the short and long term."
The results of this study serve as evidence that aging is not the sole cause of dementia.
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