“Half of All Cases of Alzheimer’s Are Preventable”!

At least, that’s what a review article in The Lancet: Neurology says.  There are over 33 million people with Alzheimer’s in the world, and this number is expected to triple in the next 40 years, unless a lot of people change their lifestyle.  There are 7 recognized risk factors for the disease: diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, depression, mental inactivity or a low educational level, and physical inactivity.  None of these risk factors has been shown to have a causal relationship specifically with Alzheimer’s, but they are all potentially modifiable or treatable.

It’s been estimated that as many as half of all Alzheimer’s cases possibly attributable to these 7 risk factors.  If they could be reduced by 10% ‘across the board’ it could prevent as many as 1.1 million cases worldwide and 185,000 cases in the USA.  If the reduction reached 25%, the numbers of cases prevented could be 3.0 million in he world, and 490,000 in the US. 

Individuals who want to work on these risk factors will, of course, receive additional benefits.  Obviously, controlling diabetes, depression, or high blood pressure are essential steps, and will have their own reward.  But addressing obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity will carry additional health benefits with respect to cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal health.  It would also make life more interesting or pleasurable to increase social interactions, which is also a way of enhancing mental activity.  I advise you to check the list once again, and see if you need to do anything about any of the 7 factors.