Diabetes Type 2 and Dementia: Adopting These 7 Practices Might Decrease Dementia Risk for Diabetes Type 2 Patients
Lowering Dementia Risk in Type 2 Diabetes: The Role of Lifestyle Choices
Researchers are delving deeper into understanding how lifestyle factors can influence dementia risk, particularly among individuals with type two diabetes. A recent study published in Neurology suggests that incorporating specific healthy habits can lower the risk of developing dementia for those living with diabetes.
Dementia, a term encompassing disorders that impair memory, thinking, and reasoning, typically worsens with time and can significantly impact one's independence and quality of life. While some risk factors, such as age and family history, cannot be altered, others can be modified to help reduce the risk.
Type two diabetes is another risk factor for dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease. To explore the potential impact of lifestyle modifications on dementia risk, researchers examined seven healthy habits and their effects on participants with and without diabetes. The habits included:
- refraining from smoking
- moderate alcohol consumption
- regular physical activity
- eating a healthy diet
- getting adequate sleep
- less sedentary behavior
- frequent social interaction
Researchers involved in the study, using data from the U.K. Biobank, found that participants with diabetes who adhered to these healthy habits had a lower risk of developing dementia. The risk reduction was even more prominent among these participants compared to those without diabetes.
Demonstrating the importance of these findings, Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., one of the study's authors, noted to Medical News Today:
"Although patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing dementia, adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle may greatly reduce this risk."
It's essential to approach these findings with caution, as the study had its limitations. For instance, lifestyle data was self-reported, which increased the possibility of errors, and the research team acknowledged that they could have misclassified participants with diabetes or prediabetes due to incomplete data.
Nevertheless, these findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that lifestyle choices play a crucial role in maintaining cognitive health. Future research is needed to better understand the specific mechanisms by which healthy lifestyle changes lower the risk of dementia in people with diabetes.
In addition to the findings of this study, reducing processed red meat intake, increasing consumption of nuts and legumes, and minimizing sedentary behavior are other healthy habits that may lower dementia risk, although these are not specifically related to type two diabetes. It is always advised to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice based on individual health conditions.
- Although some risk factors for dementia, such as age and family history, are considered fixed, others like lifestyle choices can be altered to potentially lower the risk.
- The study in Neurology highlighted that those with type two diabetes who adhered to a healthy lifestyle had a decreased risk of developing dementia, even more so than those without diabetes.
- Lifestyle choices that may contribute to this risk reduction include refraining from smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, less sedentary behavior, and frequent social interaction.
- Scientists are now considering other potential lifestyle modifications, such as reducing processed red meat intake, increasing nut consumption, and minimizing sedentary behavior, which may lower dementia risk, although they are not specific to type two diabetes.
- It's crucial to acknowledge that these findings should be addressed with naive caution due to the self-reported lifestyle data in the study, which may have resulted in errors or misclassified participants with diabetes or prediabetes.
- As our understanding of dementia and its risk factors progresses, the emphasis on the significant role of contextual lifestyle choices in maintaining cognitive health and lowering dementia risk becomes more evident.
- Healthcare providers can offer personalized advice on targeted therapies and treatments, mental health, health and wellness, fitness and exercise, and nutrition, based on an individual's medical-conditions, including chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes.
- Moving forward, further scientific research is essential to understand the specific mechanisms involved in how healthy lifestyle changes contribute to a lower risk of dementia among people with type two diabetes.
