Reducing Diabetes-Related Dementia Risk: Adopting These 7 Habits Could be Beneficial
Diabetes and dementia - two health conditions that millions of people worldwide are fighting. While both can be debilitating, recent research suggests that by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, people with type 2 diabetes might lower their risk of developing dementia.
The Link Between Diabetes, Dementia, and Lifestyle
Dementia, a term used to describe disorders affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning, typically worsens over time and can impact daily life significantly. Although we can't eradicate dementia, we can modify our behaviors to lessen the risks. For those with diabetes, healthy habits might be even more crucial.
A study, as published in the renowned journal Neurology, has shed light on the correlation between healthy lifestyle practices and the occurrence of dementia among those with type 2 diabetes. The research looked into seven essential habits: not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, less sedentary behavior, and frequent social contact.
The study utilized data from the UK Biobank, a comprehensive database of health-related information. They included participants aged 60 years or older who didn't have dementia at the study's inception and excluded those with type 1 diabetes. To determine the participants' healthy lifestyle score, researchers set specific criteria for each habit.
For instance, someone was deemed physically active if they engaged in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. The study involved more than 160,000 participants, including over 12,000 with type 2 diabetes, and followed them for an average of 12 years. The results revealed that individuals who stuck to a healthy lifestyle regimen had a reduced risk of developing dementia. However, this reduction was more evident among individuals with diabetes.
In a conversation with Medical News Today, study author Dr. Yingli Lu, Ph.D., stated, "Our findings indicate that, while patients with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing dementia, adhering to an overall healthy lifestyle could significantly decrease this risk."
Dr. Jeroen Mahieu, Ph.D., an Alzheimer's researcher, added, "The study shows that adhering to a healthy lifestyle significantly decreases the risk of developing dementia for diabetes patients. This is momentous, given the greater prevalence of dementia among diabetes patients. However, due to the nature of the data and research design, we should exercise caution in interpreting these effects as causal."
Limitations and Further Research
While the study suggests that leading a healthy lifestyle could decrease dementia risk in people with diabetes, it does have some limitations. The lifestyle data was self-reported, raising concerns about potential errors in recording. Moreover, the study didn't collect data on changes in lifestyle factors over time or lifestyle data before the participants developed diabetes.
Researchers excluded participants based on missing data, who were more likely to have a lower education and socioeconomic status, potentially impacting the results. They also acknowledged that misclassified participants with diabetes or prediabetes as those without diabetes might have occurred, due to data collection methods.
Despite these limitations, the study adds to the growing body of evidence regarding the impact of lifestyle choices on health. Dr. Lu explained to Medical News Today, "Our data may have important implications for medical professionals who treat people with diabetes. They should consider recommending lifestyle changes to their patients. Such changes could not only improve overall health but also contribute to the prevention or delayed onset of dementia in people with diabetes." Future research should focus on understanding the specific mechanisms behind the combined healthy lifestyle benefits on cognitive outcomes in diabetes patients.
- Despite being debilitating, both type 2 diabetes and dementia can be managed by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, as suggested by recent research.
- The correlation between healthy practices and dementia among those with type 2 diabetes has been highlighted in a study published in Neurology.
- Seven essential habits were examined in the study: not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, less sedentary behavior, and frequent social contact.
- The UK Biobank, a comprehensive database of health-related information, was utilized to gather data for the study. Participants were aged 60 or older, without dementia at the study's onset, and free from type 1 diabetes.
- Participants were given a healthy lifestyle score based on specific criteria for each habit, and the study involved over 160,000 participants, including over 12,000 with type 2 diabetes.
- The study revealed that individuals with diabetes who followed a healthy lifestyle regimen had a reduced risk of developing dementia, with this reduction being more evident among them.
- Dr. Yingli Lu, a study author, stated, "Our findings indicate that, while patients with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing dementia, adhering to an overall healthy lifestyle could significantly decrease this risk."
- Future research should focus on understanding the specific mechanisms behind the combined benefits of a healthy lifestyle on cognitive outcomes in diabetes patients, according to Dr. Lu.
