10. Does he or she exercise regularly?
10. Does he or she exercise regularly?
- At lower risk: Active lifestyle
- At higher risk: Sedentary lifestyle
Why exercise matters: Regular exercise reduced the risk of dementia by as much as 40 percent in a 2006 study of nearly 2,000 people age 65 and older. This was the first study to factor in one's pre-existing physical condition. And those most frail at the start of the study showed the greatest protection against dementia if they exercised. The threshold that made a difference: physical activity for at least 15 minutes, three times a week. Exercise both lowers the risk of obesity and cardiovascular conditions linked to Alzheimer's and reduces the risk of developing dementia.
Previous research has shown that the variety of activity engaged in is more important than the intensity of a workout, when it comes to providing brain benefits. (Variety of workouts had no benefit, though, to those with the APOE-e4 gene variation most commonly associated with Alzheimer's.)
11. Does he or she engage in mentally stimulating activities?
- At lower risk: Varied, frequent "brain workouts"
- At higher risk: Lack of mental stimulation
Why mental stimulation matters: Just as physical activity exercises the body, "cognitive activity" exercises the brain. Numerous studies now support the "use it or lose it" idea that mental workouts lower the risk of dementia. For example, participants in the Religious Orders study who attended museums, worked puzzles, and read newspapers were 47 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's after four years than those who did such activities less frequently.
Brain-stretching activities can't prevent Alzheimer's, but they help the brain better withstand the physical changes associated with it. What's key: The stimulation should be ongoing.
12. Is he or she socially stimulated?
- At lower risk: Social engagement
- At higher risk: Social isolation and loneliness
Why social stimulation matters: Isolation is a risk factor for developing dementia, probably because there's less opportunity for mental stimulation. But a surprising 2007 study also found that people who were around others but felt lonely (emotional isolation) were also at higher risk for Alzheimer's. This sense of loneliness wasn't a result of the disease (as is often the case with depression) but a clear precursor.
