Enhancing Cognitive Resilience: Discovery of Three Novel Adjustable Risk Factors

Enhancing Cognitive Resilience: Discovery of Three Novel Adjustable Risk Factors

In a bid to combat the growing global issue of dementia, new evidence suggests that addressing modifiable risk factors could significantly lower the incidence and delay the onset of the disease. The Lancet Commission has identified three key areas for focus: excessive alcohol consumption, head injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI), and air pollution.

**Excessive Alcohol Consumption**

Research indicates that even moderate drinking can increase the risk of cognitive impairment, while heavy and long-term excessive alcohol consumption significantly raises the risk for alcohol-related brain damage and a form of dementia known as alcohol-related dementia (ARD). Abstaining from alcohol or reducing intake can protect cognitive health, and addressing nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamin B1 (thiamine), is crucial.

**Head Injury**

Preventing traumatic brain injuries through safety measures such as wearing helmets, using seat belts, fall prevention strategies, and creating safer environments is essential. Head injury prevention is recognized as a key lifestyle modification to reduce dementia risk. Early treatment following head injury and rehabilitation may also reduce long-term cognitive decline.

**Air Pollution**

While the search results do not detail specific modifications for air pollution, reducing exposure to air pollutants through policy changes, improving air quality, avoiding high-pollution areas, and using protective measures indoors are general strategies to lower related health risks, including those potentially affecting brain health.

**Additional Evidence-Based Approaches**

Adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle, including regular physical exercise, a diet rich in antioxidants, and other healthy lifestyle modifications, can further support cognitive function and reduce dementia risk. Public health education about modifiable risks and supporting healthier lifestyle choices is also essential to delay dementia onset.

Implementing these modifications can collectively contribute to lowering the incidence and delaying the onset of dementia. For instance, reducing exposure to air pollution and second-hand tobacco smoke could potentially lower the risk of developing dementia due to these factors. Other known risk factors for dementia, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hearing loss, should also be addressed.

Promoting safety measures and public health initiatives could help cut down the number of head injuries and harmful alcohol drinking, potentially reducing dementia cases. Contributions to the risk of dementia begin early in life and continue throughout our lifespan, making it crucial to address these issues at every stage.

[1] https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors [2] https://www.alzheimers.net/articles-senior-health/dementia-risk-factors/head-injuries-and-dementia/ [3] https://www.alzheimers.net/articles-senior-health/alcohol-and-dementia/ [4] https://www.alzheimers.net/articles-senior-health/public-health/ [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5679548/

• Science, backed by evidence, shows that addressing modifiable risk factors can significantly lower the incidence and delay the onset of dementia.
• The science of dementia prevention is clear: abstaining from alcohol or reducing intake protects cognitive health, particularly when paired with addressing nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B1.
• Excessive alcohol consumption, a modifiable risk factor, can increase the risk of cognitive impairment and lead to alcohol-related dementia (ARD).
• Preventive measures such as wearing helmets, using seat belts, and fall prevention strategies can help minimize the risk of traumatic brain injuries, a key focus area in dementia prevention.
• Early treatment and rehabilitation following a head injury can reduce long-term cognitive decline, making them integral parts of dementia prevention strategies.
• Air pollution, another modifiable risk factor, can potentially increase the risk of dementia, but specific modifications for air pollution are not yet detailed.
• General strategies to lower related health risks include policy changes, focusing on improving air quality, avoiding high-pollution areas, and using protective measures indoors.
• A brain-healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a diet rich in antioxidants, and other healthy lifestyle modifications, can further support cognitive function and reduce dementia risk.
• Public health education is essential to promote healthier lifestyle choices and delay the onset of dementia.
• Implementing modifications to address known risk factors such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hearing loss can also contribute to a lower dementia incidence.
• Contributions to dementia risk start early in life and continue throughout our lifespan, making it crucial to address these issues at every stage.
• Dementia prevention is not solely the responsibility of the medical and scientific industries but also includes lifestyle modifications that businesses, home and garden enthusiasts, and personal-finance managers can support.
• CBD, a compound derived from cannabis, shows promise in treating neurological disorders, including some forms of dementia, according to some scientists.
• Investing in environmental science can lead to improvements in air quality and mitigate climate change, both of which have potential benefits for dementia prevention.
• Mental health, an integral part of overall health and wellness, plays a crucial role in delaying the onset of dementia. Various therapies and treatments can help manage stress, anxiety, and depression, reducing their impact on cognitive health.
• Travel, education and self-development, and personal growth can contribute to a healthier lifestyle and a better understanding of dementia and its prevention.
• Sporting activities, such as basketball, can improve cardiovascular health, which is known to play a role in dementia risk.
• Weather forecasts and sports-analysis tools can help people make choices that mitigate health hazards, such as staying indoors on days with high air pollution levels.
• Learning about different aspects of dementia, from its causes to preventive measures, can empower individuals to take control of their health and make informed decisions regarding their lifestyle and financial investments.
• Shopping for foods rich in antioxidants, exercising diligently, and choosing a career in a field that promotes health and wellness can all play a role in dementia prevention.
• career development, focusing on the growth within healthcare, technology, and various other sectors, may inspire individuals to contribute to dementia prevention efforts in meaningful ways.

Read also: