9 December 2013
Last updated at 17:02 ET
Regular exercise was a factor which could reduce decline in dementia
The Cardiff University study following 2,235 men from
Caerphilly, south Wales, found factors including diet and not smoking
had an impact on preventing illnesses developing in older age.
However exercise had the single biggest influence on dementia levels.
Researchers stressed an overall healthy lifestyle was key to cutting disease.
The findings come just two days before a G8 summit on dementia, which is predicted will affect 135m people worldwide by 2050.
'Really amazed us'
Exercise 'significant role' in reducing risk of dementia, long-term study finds
Regular exercise was a factor which could reduce decline in dementia
Exercise
throughout a person's life plays a significant role in reducing the
risk of developing dementia, a study spanning 35 years has found.
However exercise had the single biggest influence on dementia levels.
Researchers stressed an overall healthy lifestyle was key to cutting disease.
The findings come just two days before a G8 summit on dementia, which is predicted will affect 135m people worldwide by 2050.
'Really amazed us'
The research by Cardiff University found the five factors that
were integral to helping avoid disease were regular exercise, not
smoking, low bodyweight, healthy diet and low alcohol intake.
They also had 70% fewer instances of diabetes, heart disease and stroke, compared with people who followed none of the factors.
Professor Peter Elwood, who led the study on behalf of Cardiff School of Medicine, said healthy behaviour was far more beneficial than any medical treatment or preventative procedure.
"The size of reduction in the instance of disease owing to these simple healthy steps has really amazed us and is of enormous importance in an ageing population," he said.
"Taking up and following a healthy lifestyle is however the responsibility of the individual him or herself.
"Sadly, the evidence from this study shows that very few people follow a fully healthy lifestyle."
Continue reading the main story
It has recorded their behaviour in relation to their health over that period, initially focusing on the causes of heart disease, which was particularly high in the area.
As time has gone on, the study has moved to looking at the effects of dementia and strokes.
Over 400 research papers in the medical press have been produced from its findings.
One of the contributions was the discovery that aspirin helped prevent heart attacks.
The study has been funded by the Medical Research Council, the Alzheimer's Society and the British Heart Foundation.
Caerphilly Cohort Study
The study has followed a group of 2,235 men aged between 25 and 49 from Caerphilly, just north of Cardiff, since 1979.It has recorded their behaviour in relation to their health over that period, initially focusing on the causes of heart disease, which was particularly high in the area.
As time has gone on, the study has moved to looking at the effects of dementia and strokes.
Over 400 research papers in the medical press have been produced from its findings.
One of the contributions was the discovery that aspirin helped prevent heart attacks.
The study has been funded by the Medical Research Council, the Alzheimer's Society and the British Heart Foundation.
People in the study who followed
four of these had a 60% decline in dementia and cognitive decline rates,
with exercise named as the strongest mitigating factor.
Professor Peter Elwood, who led the study on behalf of Cardiff School of Medicine, said healthy behaviour was far more beneficial than any medical treatment or preventative procedure.
"The size of reduction in the instance of disease owing to these simple healthy steps has really amazed us and is of enormous importance in an ageing population," he said.
"Taking up and following a healthy lifestyle is however the responsibility of the individual him or herself.
"Sadly, the evidence from this study shows that very few people follow a fully healthy lifestyle."
'More active lifestyle'
Prof Elwood stressed that while one aspect of the five strands
of behaviour mentioned may have more impact on certain illnesses, the
emphasis was on an overall healthy lifestyle.
"Exercise happens to be the most important but the other factors come in very close behind," he added.
He told BBC Wales while the recommended levels of exercise were half an hour five times a week, it did not mean having to go to a gym.
"We should all live a more active lifestyle. If I park my car a mile from work - that makes me likely to do more than the half an hour a day. Any exercise has some benefit and the more, the better."
The research showed that while smoking levels had dropped over the 35 years, the number of people leading what the team described as a fully healthy lifestyle had not changed.
Prof Elwood added: "If the men had been urged to adopt just
one additional healthy behaviour at the start of the study 35 years ago,
and if only half of them complied, then during the ensuing 35 years
there would have been a 13% reduction in dementia, a 12% drop in
diabetes, 6% less vascular disease and a 5% reduction in deaths."
Dr Doug Brown from the Alzheimer's Society said: "'We have known for some time that what is good for your heart is also good for your head, and this study provides more evidence to show that healthy living could significantly reduce the chances of developing dementia.
'These large, longitudinal studies are expensive and complicated to run, but are essential to understand how dementia can be prevented."
The research team estimated that unhealthy living has accounted for around 10% of the NHS budget in Wales since the study began.
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said the study "threw into sharp relief" the extent to which preventing illness lay in a person's own hands.
The research is being published in the PLOS One journal.
"Exercise happens to be the most important but the other factors come in very close behind," he added.
He told BBC Wales while the recommended levels of exercise were half an hour five times a week, it did not mean having to go to a gym.
"We should all live a more active lifestyle. If I park my car a mile from work - that makes me likely to do more than the half an hour a day. Any exercise has some benefit and the more, the better."
The research showed that while smoking levels had dropped over the 35 years, the number of people leading what the team described as a fully healthy lifestyle had not changed.
Continue reading the main story
Dr Doug Brown Alzheimer's Society"This study provides more evidence to show that healthy living could significantly reduce the chances of developing dementia”
These findings are replicated
across Wales, according to recent surveys, which showed less than 1% of
the population have a fully healthy lifestyle, with 5% not following any
of the five recommended points.
Dr Doug Brown from the Alzheimer's Society said: "'We have known for some time that what is good for your heart is also good for your head, and this study provides more evidence to show that healthy living could significantly reduce the chances of developing dementia.
'These large, longitudinal studies are expensive and complicated to run, but are essential to understand how dementia can be prevented."
The research team estimated that unhealthy living has accounted for around 10% of the NHS budget in Wales since the study began.
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said the study "threw into sharp relief" the extent to which preventing illness lay in a person's own hands.
The research is being published in the PLOS One journal.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered