New data reveals risk of dementia could be halved with simple change
New advice from the World Health Organisation has revealed that making lifestyle changes could cut the risk of dementia in half.
The detailed report suggests managing hearing loss, high blood pressure, diet and sleep could impact a person’s ability to prevent cognitive decline.
Dr Nick Coatsworth spoke with Today. Today
“I think one of the key ones is you can reduce your risk by 15 per cent by managing hearing loss and for me, blood pressure is a big issue,” Today medical expert Dr Nick Coatsworth told the show.
“I take blood pressure tablets every day and I’ve got a history of dementia in the family, so if you manage those two alone, I think you’re up there around a quarter reduction in the risk, which is really good.
“Then, of course, you’ve got your other things like reducing tobacco and alcohol use, nutrition is so important and there are a couple of new ones in there, like reducing exposure to air pollution, probably a little bit less of an issue, but I think the WHO were trying to bring in as many things as they possibly could in there.”
Dr Coatsworth said proper management of exercise, nutrition, sleep and stress were the four main areas that could improve cognitive health, as well as maintaining your social circle, which he said was “so important as you get older”.
However, Dr Coatsworth said he disagreed with one part of the report.
“The report suggested that supplementation of vitamin B and omega three fatty acids is not something that will help you with cognition,” he said.
“Omega three of course, in sardines and fatty fish and I think, at least from my point of view and occasionally taking omega three supplements myself, so I think there are some things in there that are still a little bit controversial and to be worked on, but overall, a report that reinforces what we already know, which are the pillars of exercise, sleep, nutrition, and stress as the key to longevity,” he said.
“And there is definitely a way to slow dementia down, all things decline as we get older, but for me, it’s the socialisation aspect and if you’re able to keep close within your family, within your friends, you have a good community wrapping around you, this is the sort of thing that helps with treating dementia.”
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