Maintaining Cognitive Health in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: Adopting Seven Habits Could be Beneficial
Living with type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of developing dementia, a devastating condition impacting memory, thinking, and reasoning. But a recent study presented in the journal Neurology highlights that incorporating certain healthy lifestyle habits—particularly for individuals with diabetes—can lower this risk significantly.
Dementia wreaks havoc on people's lives by impeding their ability to live independently and maintain a high quality of life. While age and family history cannot be altered, there's much we can do to mitigate the risk by adopting healthier habits.
Lifestyle factors are of interest to researchers, as prior studies have suggested they play a role in dementia risk. In this current study, researchers examined how seven key habits affected dementia risk in both individuals with and without diabetes. These habits included:- Abstaining from smoking- Moderate alcohol consumption- Regular physical activity- Healthy eating- Adequate sleep- Decreased sedentary behavior- Frequent social interaction
For this study, the authors utilized the U.K. Biobank, gathering data from more than 160,000 participants aged 60 and older who did not have dementia at the study's outset. Participants were categorized based on their adherence to each of the seven lifestyle habits.
After following the participants for an average of 12 years, researchers found that individuals who consistently practiced healthy habits exhibited a lower risk of developing dementia. remarkable, the risk reduction was even more pronounced among individuals with diabetes compared to those without the condition.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China, commented to Medical News Today:"Our findings underscore that although patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing dementia later compared to those without, adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle may greatly reduce this risk."
It's important to note that this study has some limitations. Information about lifestyle behaviors was self-reported, which increases the risk of data collection errors. The authors also acknowledged that some participants with diabetes or pre-diabetes may have been misclassified as not having diabetes. Additionally, the study's sample consisted primarily of Caucasian participants, making it essential to conduct more diverse studies in the future.
Meanwhile, Dementia is a well-known risk factor for individuals with type 2 diabetes, with some studies associating the condition with twice the risk of developing dementia compared to those without diabetes. While research is ongoing, it's promising to see that individuals with diabetes who practice healthier habits may experience a lower risk of dementia.
Healthy habits such as adhering to a balanced diet, regular exercise, restorative sleep, and Prioritizing social connections can help manage type 2 diabetes and potentially lower the risk of dementia. However, for more specific advice tailored to individuals with diabetes and dementia risk, it's essential to consult with healthcare professionals and recent studies focusing on these topics.
- A naive assumption might be that someone living with type 2 diabetes is destined to develop dementia, but recent science suggests otherwise.
- Incorporating a balance of fitness-and-exercise, health-and-wellness, and mental-health routines can significantly lower the risk of dementia, even for those with type 2 diabetes.
- The study in the journal Neurology presented compelling evidence for the effectiveness of contextual therapies-and-treatments like smoking abstinence, moderate alcohol consumption, sleep management, and regular social interaction in mitigating dementia risk.
- Though age and family history are unchangeable factors, altering specific medical-conditions like type-2-diabetes through healthy lifestyle adjustments might help avoid or postpone dementia onset.
- The remarkeable findings from the study indicate that adhering to these recommended lifestyle habits can lower dementia risk, particularly among those with type 2 diabetes.
- The research highlights the importance of nutrition in maintaining overall health, including reducing the risk of both type 2 diabetes and dementia.
- Once diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, individuals may face a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's or other dementia types, but with improved health practices, this risk can be reduced.
- To better understand the intricate relationships between type 2 diabetes, dementia, and healthy living, further investigation is required, focusing on various populations and chronic diseases like dementia and Alzheimers.
