Groundbreaking Research Findings
New research published in The Lancet has identified two additional risk factors for dementia: high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as "bad" cholesterol, and untreated vision loss. The study highlights the potential of addressing these factors to significantly reduce the risk or delay the onset of dementia.
Understanding Dementia and its Prevalence
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain. The most prevalent form is Alzheimer's disease. Dementia impacts memory, speech, thought, personality, behaviour, and mobility, and it is a progressive, terminal condition.
Dementia is a significant global health concern. Dementia Australia reports that over 421,000 Australians live with the condition, which is the second leading cause of death in the country and the primary cause of death for women. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare predicts a 94% increase in dementia cases by 2054 without a medical breakthrough. Globally, the number of people living with dementia could more than double to 153 million by 2050.
Preventing Dementia
The new study suggests that addressing LDL cholesterol and untreated vision loss could prevent or delay up to 45% of dementia cases, alongside 12 previously identified risk factors: hearing loss, depression, smoking, high blood pressure, heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, air pollution, brain injury, diabetes, social isolation, physical inactivity, and a lack of education.
Lead author Gill Livingston emphasised: "Our report concludes that you can hugely increase the chances of not developing dementia or pushing back its onset. It's never too early or too late to take action."
However, not all experts agree with the report's findings. Some express caution regarding the direct impact of these modifiable factors on dementia.
Professor Tara Spires-Jones from the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences cautioned: "The research could not conclusively link the modifiable factors directly to dementia."
Professor Charles Marshall from Queen Mary University London added: "Suggesting people with dementia could have avoided it if they'd made different lifestyle choices should be avoided, as for the most part, it was outside of their control."
While some dementia risk factors, such as genetics and age, are beyond our control, this research underscores the importance of addressing modifiable lifestyle factors. Public health interventions and individual actions can play a significant role in reducing the risk of developing dementia or delaying its onset. By tackling modifiable risk factors, such as high LDL cholesterol and untreated vision loss, alongside other known risks, we can potentially prevent or delay a significant number of dementia cases. This highlights the importance of a proactive approach to public health and individual lifestyle choices in mitigating the impact of dementia on individuals and society.
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