Dementia Prevention: A healthy diet is not as powerful as these 3 factors

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Although a healthy diet is part of the brain's protective shell against dementia, the evidence is “not as strong” as for the other three interventions.

The National Institute on Aging (NIH) suggested that physical activity, blood pressure and cognitive training has a greater impact on whether or not a person develops dementia.

While the evidence is by no means conclusive, a review by experts at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) offers hope. Evidence that drugs and diet slow or prevent dementia has been “not as strong” as exercise, blood pressure control and cognitive training.

Exercise

Observational studies in animals and humans have shown a link between exercise and fewer plaques and tangles in the brain. Exercise also helps improve some cognitive tests.

Pressure

Controlling blood pressure is known to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. A committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that “treatment of high blood pressure” may prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer's dementia. This association was particularly strong for those who managed stress effectively in middle age.

Cognitive training

“Cognitive training involves structured activities that designed to improve memory, reasoning, and processing speed,” explained the National Institute on Aging.

Long-term observational studies show that reading or playing games may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease.

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