Discover How Your Lifestyle Choices Can Impact Your Risk of Early Dementia: Key Factors to Watch

Recently, we discussed three factors linked to dementia: poor oral health, hearing loss, and vision loss. However, there are additional elements that may increase the risk of young-onset dementia (YOD).

A study from the University of Exeter, published last February in the Journal of the American Medical Association – Neurology, examined over 350,000 people in the U.K. under 65. The goal was to identify lifestyle factors that could predict who would develop YOD.

The researchers identified 15 significant risk factors. They concluded that “a wide range of risk factors were associated with YOD, and targeted interventions may prove effective for dementia prevention in middle-aged adults.” Here are some factors strongly linked to YOD:

The study found that higher formal education, lower physical frailty (measured by handgrip strength), and moderate alcohol consumption were associated with a lower incidence of YOD. Conversely, certain factors, like having two ApoE ε4 alleles, lower socioeconomic status, high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and health conditions like stroke and diabetes, were linked to a higher risk.

Understanding Correlation vs. Causation

It’s important to differentiate between correlation and causation. Causation implies a direct cause-effect relationship, while correlation simply indicates that two things occur together more often than we would expect by chance. For instance, if poor oral health correlates with dementia, it suggests a link but does not prove that one directly causes the other.

Most studies rely on correlations to draw conclusions. If data shows that living in a certain area increases job opportunities, people are likely to pursue jobs there, even without knowing the exact reasons why.

Key Risk Factors for YOD

Here are some significant risk factors that researchers found associated with early dementia:

• Genetics: Having two ApoE4 ε4 gene variants increases the risk of YOD.
• Vitamin D deficiency: This deficiency, alongside high CRP levels, was linked to a higher risk of YOD. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and may also protect the brain. Lack of sunlight could lead to deficiency.
• Social isolation: Those who rarely visit family or friends are at a higher risk for YOD. Limited social interaction may negatively impact mental health, which could, in turn, increase dementia risk.
• Alcohol use disorder: The study indicated that alcohol use disorder is associated with higher YOD risk. However, this link is complex, as YOD might also lead to issues with alcohol use.

Understanding these links can help clarify the complex relationship with dementia. While we cannot definitively say avoiding these risk factors will prevent dementia, addressing them might help reduce the chances or delay its onset.

In conclusion, taking care of our overall health—like maintaining good social connections, getting enough vitamin D, and managing alcohol consumption—can play a vital role in reducing the risk of developing dementia.