dementia risks linked to healthy lifestyle

[yartims]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48963215

Nearly everyone can lower their risk of dementia, even if it runs in the family, by living a healthy lifestyle, research suggests.

The study of nearly 200,000 people showed the risk fell by up to a third.

The team at the University of Exeter said the results were exciting, empowering and showed people were not doomed to get dementia.

The findings were revealed at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference.

Dementia: Everything you need to know about the greatest health challenge of our time

What counts as a healthy lifestyle?

The researchers gave people a healthy lifestyle score based on a combination of exercise, diet, alcohol and smoking.

This is an example of someone who scored well:

Doesn't currently smoke
Cycles at normal pace for two-and-a-half hours a week
Eats a balanced diet that includes more than three portions of fruit and vegetables a day, eats fish twice a week and rarely eats processed meat
Drinks up to one pint of beer a day

And an unhealthy one?

Currently smokes regularly
Does no regular exercise
Eats a diet that includes less than three servings of fruit and vegetables a week, and includes two or more servings of processed meat and of red meat a week
Drinks at least three pints of beer a day