Most of us are aware that adopting seven healthy habits, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, maintaining normal blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, and keeping blood sugar low can promote a youthful mind and reduce the risk of dementia.
However, there is another crucial factor that can contribute to the development and management of cognitive reserve, which can in turn help combat brain aging and decrease the risk of dementia.
Dementia, a condition characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss, encompasses a range of disorders rather than being a single disease. Among these, Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 60 percent of dementia cases.
Although aging is considered the primary contributor to dementia, lifestyle factors can also play a role in accelerating the degeneration of the nervous system. High blood pressure, excessive alcohol consumption, and exposure to air pollution are among the lifestyle factors implicated in this process.
In a previous long-term study, researchers found that adopting seven simple lifestyle habits during middle age can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life.
While genetics may contribute to an individual’s predisposition to dementia, the research suggests that a significant portion of one’s likelihood is determined by controllable factors within their own lifestyle choices.
The study revealed that incorporating certain lifestyle habits can significantly reduce the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, the study highlighted that the benefits of these habits increase with each additional healthy lifestyle trait adopted.
The identified habits that can help in reducing the chances of developing such conditions are as follows:
- Staying physically active
- Following a balanced and nutritious diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Steering clear of smoking
- Managing normal blood pressure levels
- Controlling cholesterol levels
- Maintaining low blood sugar levels
As research has revealed that dementia can start developing in the brain many years before it’s diagnosed, it’s crucial to understand how our habits in middle age can influence the risk of developing dementia later in life.
New Research Suggests Regular Internet Use in Middle Age May Safeguard Against Dementia
Fortunately, a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has suggested that a simple healthy lifestyle choice made in middle age may aid in the development and maintenance of cognitive reserve, which can compensate for brain aging and reduce the risk of dementia.
Moreover, the study identified a correlation between frequent internet usage and a lower risk of dementia, offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against this debilitating condition.
The new study investigated the relationship between internet use and dementia risk in 18,154 adults aged 50 to 64.9 years who had no prior history of dementia. The participants were followed for a median of 7.9 years, with some being tracked for as long as 17.1 years.
The study found that those who used the internet on a regular basis had approximately half the risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not use it regularly. Interestingly, this link remained consistent across all groups regardless of educational attainment, race-ethnicity, sex, and generation.
The findings suggest that regular internet use could play a role in reducing the risk of dementia, and this could have implications for public health policies in the future. The study highlights the need for further research in this area to better understand the relationship between internet use and cognitive health.
“Online engagement,” according to corresponding author Virginia W. Change from New York University, “may help to develop and maintain cognitive reserve, which can, in turn, compensate for brain aging and reduce the risk of dementia.”
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