What if I told you that you have the power to help deter the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease—with simple lifestyle changes?
Well, according to new research, nearly half of all U.S. adults over the age of 45 have modifiable risk factors for these conditions.
Meaning that by changing your behavior… you might just SLASH your risk of age-related cognitive decline.
Let me explain.
YOU hold the control
Researchers looked at data from nearly 162,000 adults, ages 45 and over, who were surveyed in 2019 as part of the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
They found nearly half of the survey participants had high blood pressure and didn’t get enough physical activity—two of the most common modifiable risk factors for dementia.
Worse yet, about 35 percent of participants were obese, 19 percent had diabetes, 18 percent had depression, 15 percent were smokers, 11 percent had hearing loss, and 10 percent were binge drinkers.
But ALL of those conditions (other than depression and some forms of hearing loss) are something we have 100 percent control over.
What’s more, of those who were surveyed, about 11 percent reported some sort of cognitive decline.
However, this figure wasn’t uniform across the group.
In fact, the prevalence of cognitive decline increased from about four percent among adults with no modifiable risk factors… to 25 percent for those with four or more risk factors.
WOW!
This information comes on top of the recent report from the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care, which found modifying certain risk factors over one’s life could delay or prevent 40 percent of dementia cases.
Make smart changes
I’ve said this a lot throughout my career—we’ve eaten (and sat) our way to being one of the unhealthiest countries on the planet.
And I speak frequently about the importance of positively changing your lifestyle—and the need to be consistent.
In fact, getting consistent exercise and following a healthy, balanced diet will combat all of the risk factors outlined here today—and ultimately help protect your brain.
So, aim for 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Then, make healthy dietary choices. (Say “YES” to fresh, whole foods… and say “NO” to processed, junk foods.)
One last thing: Be sure to discuss your concerns about your memory with your doctor—no matter how minor you think it may be. And be sure to go for an annual physical, at the very least.
Finally, for an all-natural protocol to help protect and restore your memory—and fight dementia—check out my Alzheimer’s Prevention and Treatment Plan. To learn more about this innovative, online learning tool, or to enroll today, click here now!
Until next time,
Dr. Fred
Source:
“The Lancet: 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by targeting 12 risk factors throughout life.” 07/30/2020. (alzheimers.org.uk/news/2020-07-30/lancet-40-dementia-cases-could-be-prevented-or-delayed-targeting-12-risk-factors)