(1) It’s never too late to start…

We all grow older. However, researchers at University College London and elsewhere* have found that, by following one of a set of strategies, we have a near 50:50 chance of preventing or delaying dementia. Surprisingly, these include tackling early issues with hearing loss or eyesight problems, and high levels of LDL cholesterol.

“That the age-related incidence of dementia can actually be reduced is a rare beacon of hope.

“The modifiable risk factors include smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, diabetes and drinking too much alcohol. The best way to reduce the risk of developing dementia is to lead what has long been considered to be a healthy life: avoiding tobacco and too much alcohol and taking plenty of exercise (but avoiding those forms of it that involve repeated blows to the head or bouts of concussion, a list which includes boxing, American football, rugby and lacrosse)….

“It is also not surprising that eyesight problems have been added to the latest dementia-risks list. It is unclear why impaired hearing and vision should have such an impact on the risk of dementia. One idea is that they all have a common cause. That hearing aids are very effective in protecting against dementia, however, argues against that theory for deafness. Diabetes, however, is a risk factor for both failing eyesight and dementia.

“Others speculate that people straining to understand what is said to them or to navigate a world made hazy by poor eyesight suffer a debilitating increased “cognitive load”. It may also be that these problems inhibit people’s social lives and make them lonelier. Social isolation and depression are also important risk factors.“**

* Livingston, Gill et al., Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission,The Lancet, Volume 404, Issue 10452, 572 - 628

** Anonymous, “Silver Linings”, The Economist (August 10 2024): 63-4; https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/08/05/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-developing-dementia...