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Reducing the Risk of Dementia: Modifiable Risk Factors

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Published: 18 October 2020

Is there any way to completely prevent dementia? The answer, sadly, is no (Dementia Australia 2017).

However, by managing the risk factors of dementia, it is possible to decrease the likelihood of developing it (Dementia Australia 2017).

In order to reduce the risk of dementia, it is important to adopt a ‘brain-healthy’ lifestyle from middle age, when changes in the brain may begin to occur. Even if there are no immediately noticeable changes during middle age, they may still be occurring - dementia symptoms sometimes take decades to appear (Better Health Channel 2014).

It is possible to improve brain function at any age, so it is never too early or too late to adopt a brain-healthy lifestyle (Better Health Channel 2014).

Non-Modifiable v Modifiable Risk Factors

The risk factors for dementia are unique for every individual (Dementia Australia 2019a).

There are two types of risk factors:

Non-modifiable risk factors can not be altered. These include:

  • Older age;
  • Genetics; and
  • Family history of dementia.

(Dementia Australia 2019)

Age is the biggest risk factor for dementia, with 1 in 10 adults over 65 and 3 in 10 older adults over 85 affected by the condition (Alzheimer’s Society 2018; Dementia Australia 2020).

Modifiable risk factors, on the other hand, can be altered by making lifestyle changes. Research suggests that managing modifiable risk factors may significantly contribute to a decreased or delayed risk of dementia (Dementia Australia 2019a).

Modifiable risk factors include:

  • Mental activity;
  • Social activity;
  • Physical activity;
  • Alcohol;
  • Diet;
  • Blood pressure;
  • Bodyweight;
  • Cholesterol;
  • Diabetes; and
  • Smoking.

(Better Health Channel 2014)

Managing Modifiable Risk Factors

Mental Activity

couple doing jigsaw puzzle

Activities that involve mental stimulation are helpful in reducing the risk of dementia, particularly those that are complex and challenging. Regularly performing these activities allows new brain cells to be built and connections to be strengthened, meaning that the brain will still be able to cope even if brain cells die or are damaged (Better Health Channel 2014; Dementia Australia 2019b).

Helpful brain exercises include:

  • Hobbies (e.g. painting, sewing, writing, reading);
  • Taking short courses;
  • Jigsaw, word or number puzzles;
  • Learning a new skill (e.g. dancing, playing a musical instrument, languages);
  • Going to theatres, museums, movies, concerts or galleries; and
  • Playing card games or board games.

(Better Health Channel 2014; Alzheimer’s Society 2018)

While depression can occur as a symptom of dementia, it appears that untreated depression may increase the risk of dementia in the first place. Depression may also lead to reduced participation in social activities and engagement with mentally stimulating activities, further contributing to the risk of dementia (NHS 2020).

Social Activity

Research has found that meaningful social interaction can help maintain brain health and even improve cognitive function. Interacting with others involves the engagement of several neural networks that allow information to be detected, decoded and interpreted. This mental stimulation may help reduce cognitive decline and improve cognition over time (Charvat 2019).

Helpful social activities include:

  • Dancing;
  • Travelling;
  • Volunteering;
  • Joining clubs;
  • Games nights with friends;
  • Catching up with friends and neighbours.

(Better Health Channel 2014)

Physical Activity

Physical activity has several beneficial effects on the brain, including:

  • Increased blood flow to the brain;
  • Stimulation of brain cell growth and connection; and
  • Larger brain volume.

(Dementia Australia 2019c)

Physical inactivity, on the other hand, is associated with an increased risk of cognitive issues related to memory and thinking. A lack of exercise also increases the risk of heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are all dementia risk factors (NHS 2020).

It is suggested that adults should:

  • Do physical activity every day;
  • Do strengthening activities focused on the legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms at least two days per week;
  • Do either:
    • At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week (e.g. brisk walking, riding a bike, dancing, pushing a lawnmower); or
    • 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week (jogging or running, walking up stairs, aerobics, sports).
  • Limit the amount of time spent sitting or lying down, and break up periods of being immobile with activity.

(NHS 2019)

physical activity to reduce dementia risk
Adults should do either at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week.

Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of dementia, along with stroke, heart disease and certain cancers. It is also associated with damage to the brain and nervous system (Alzheimer’s Society 2018; NHS 2020).

Adults should consume no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any single given day (DoH 2020).

Diet

Adults should maintain a healthy and balanced diet. They should eat:

  • At least five servings of fruit and vegetables every day;
  • Protein at least twice every week;
  • Starchy foods (e.g. bread, potatoes, pasta); and
  • Six to eight glasses of fluid (mainly water) every day.

(Alzheimer’s Society 2018)

Saturated fat, salt, sugar and low-fibre foods should be limited, as they increase the risk of hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity and type 2 diabetes. These conditions are all associated with a higher risk of dementia (NHS 2020).

Smoking

While the relationship between dementia and smoking is complex, there is a strong link between smoking and the risk of dementia.

  • Smoking increases the risk of vascular system issues, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia;
  • Smoking increases the risk of strokes or bleeds in the brain, which are risk factors for dementia;
  • Alzheimer's disease is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, which can both be increased by cigarette toxins;
  • Smoking can cause the arteries to narrow, raising blood pressure and therefore increasing the risk of dementia.

(Alzheimer’s Society 2017; NHS 2020)

Conclusion

While some risk factors of dementia can not be modified, others can be altered by making lifestyle changes. It is important to remember that these changes can be made at any stage of life and it is never too early or late to become brain-healthy - however, it is recommended that people in their middle age consciously make healthy lifestyle choices in order to reduce the risk of dementia later in life.

happy older adults exercising

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References

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