Healthy lifestyle reduces risk of dementia

The editorial comes following a panel chaired by Professor Clive Ballard, Alzheimer's Society Director of Research, earlier this year. The BBC commissioned a panel of experts to review and discuss the evidence around a number of risk factors for dementia with the aim of using this information to provide the public with advice.

Alzheimer's Society comment,

'While there is no definitive way to prevent dementia there are clear steps that people can take to reduce their risk. The panel found that by keeping a healthy weight, getting regular exercise throughout your life and managing blood pressure and cholesterol from 35 onwards you can reduce your risk of developing dementia by up to 20 per cent. The editorial highlights additional opportunities for research targeting prevention in people who have mild cognitive impairment as they have a high risk of developing dementia.  

'A million more people are set to develop dementia in the next 10 years. With an election imminent we need commitments from all political parties to make dementia research funding a priority so we can further our understanding of what causes this devastating condition and stop people developing it in the first place.'

Professor Clive Ballard
Director of Research
Alzheimer's Society