A healthy lifestyle may help to prevent dementia as well as problems such as heart disease and diabetes, a new report says. The report comes from Alzheimer's Disease International. It is being issued in advance of World Alzheimer's Day, September 21. The report focuses on factors related to dementia risk that people can control. The main message: "What is good for your heart is good for your brain." Some of the strongest links between health conditions and dementia include high blood pressure in middle age and smoking and diabetes at any age. For example, diabetes may increase the risk of dementia 50%, the report says. Quitting smoking lowers risk. The report's authors reviewed research on smoking and dementia. They found that ex-smokers have a dementia risk similar to those who have never smoked. Controlling weight and exercising may help by reducing the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Low education in early life also is linked with dementia risk. The report urges that brain health be included in public health campaigns. Part of the message would be that it's never too late -- to quit smoking, for example. HealthDay News wrote about the report September 17.
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