Diabetes Type 2 and Dementia: Exploring Seven Habits Linked to Reduced Dementia Risk in Diabetes Type 2 Patients
Diabetes Type 2 and Dementia: Healthy Lifestyle Choices Reduce Risk
Diabetes Type 2 increases the risk of dementia, but a recent study shows that adopting certain healthy lifestyle choices can help mitigate this risk. The research, published in the journal Neurology, sheds light on the modified dementia risk in people with diabetes who practice specific healthy habits.
Dementia is a debilitating and incurable condition that affects people's memory, thinking, and reasoning capabilities, often leading to a decline in their ability to live independently. Although the disease has no known cure, the study offers insights into strategies that may decrease the risk of developing the condition.
Several factors contribute to the risk of dementia, including age and family history. However, by making lifestyle adjustments, one can reduce the risk. The study focused on seven healthy habits that have been linked to a decreased dementia risk, including:
- Non-smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Regular physical activity
- Healthy diet
- Adequate sleep
- Less sedentary behavior
- Frequent social contact
The study utilized data from the U.K. Biobank, focusing on individuals aged 60 and older who did not have dementia at the study's start. Participants with Type 1 diabetes were excluded, allowing researchers to concentrate on Type 2 diabetes.
Each participant was assigned a score based on their adherence to the seven healthy habits. The researchers classified "regular physical activity" as engaging in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or its equivalent in vigorous activity.
The study comprised over 160,000 participants, including more than 12,000 with diabetes. Researchers followed the participants for an average of 12 years and found that healthy lifestyle factors were linked to a lower dementia risk. This risk reduction was more pronounced among participants with diabetes.
Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., a study author, commented to Medical News Today: "Our findings highlight that although patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing dementia later compared with those without, adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle may greatly reduce this risk."
While the study indicates that incorporating healthy lifestyle habits may decrease the risk for dementia, particularly among people with diabetes, it also had limitations. Information on lifestyle behaviors was self-reported, potentially leading to data collection errors. Additionally, the study did not collect data on lifestyle factor changes within participants or before they developed diabetes.
In conclusion, the study supports the notion that adhering to a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of dementia, particularly for individuals with diabetes. Maintaining regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and following a diet pattern like the Mediterranean diet can contribute significantly to reducing dementia risk. Future research will help determine how these lifestyle changes impact cognitive outcomes for people with diabetes.
- The study in Neurology suggests that people with Type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of dementia by adopting healthy habits.
- Dementia, a debilitating condition affecting memory and reasoning, has been linked to Type 2 diabetes, but healthy choices may lessen this risk.
- The research found that non-smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular exercise, healthy diet, adequate sleep, less sedentary behavior, and frequent social contact are key to lowering dementia risk.
- Surprisingly, the study focuses on Type 2 diabetes, excluding those with Type 1, to closely examine the impact of lifestyle choices on risk reduction.
- The study participants were assigned scores based on their adherence to the seven healthy habits, with regular exercise defined as 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous activity.
- With over 160,000 participants and 12,000 with diabetes, the study followed participants for 12 years, showing a link between healthy lifestyle factors and lower dementia risk, especially among those with diabetes.
- Future research will explore how changes in lifestyle over time and impact on cognitive outcomes for individuals with diabetes.
- Mental health, therapies and treatments, fitness and exercise, health and wellness, nutrition, and contextual factors should be considered when making lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of dementia and manage chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes.
