A New Study Hints That 38% of Cognitive Decline Is Impacted By These Lifestyle Factors

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https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8029793/study-cognitive-decline-impacted-lifestyle-factors/

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While it's true that a minority of Americans are officially diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, it's probably far more common than you might expect. According to an October 2022 study published in JAMA Neurology, 1 in 10 American seniors is currently living with dementia, and another 22% of those 65 and older experience mild cognitive impairment; one of the early signals that more serious cognitive challenges may be on the horizon. That's about one-third of all individuals 65 and older.

Cognitive decline naturally occurs as we get older; it's natural that our ability to remember details, understand, learn and think degrade slightly over time. But when it starts to impact the quality of daily life and the ability to lead a happy, healthy, secure life, that's when a brain-related diagnosis might occur.

Family history certainly plays a role in the risk for dementia and other cognition-related conditions, and scientists have discovered a variety of habits can also move the needle. Things that have been previously shown to reduce the risk for cognitive complications later in life include: Eating more fruits and vegetables
Keeping a stable blood sugar
Limiting intake of ultra-processed foods
Maintaining a healthy blood pressure
Not smoking
Scoring enough sleep
Staying socially engaged
Incorporating regular physical activity.

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This new brain health study found that education level, income, race and depression status, in tandem with healthy lifestyle habits, play a surprisingly large role in the potential development of dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Much more at link, but this is most of it.