You may have already read my blog on the US POINTER Study which you can find here. It is very exciting as it gives us real science backed ways to lower our risk for dementia.
Santa gave me fun magazine in my stocking highlighting Oprah’s Favorite Things, but my favorite thing was the article on “How to Protect Your Brain.” So, what do I have for you?? Facts and figures and new studies related to preventing and slowing down dementia that you can use! (sorry no car; I’m not Oprah)
Good News:
Eyes and Ears—Treat your vision and/or hearing lost today and reduce your cognitive decline and dementia risk
- worsening sight increases cognitive decline by 35% and dementia by 37%
- hearing loss increases the risk of dementia by 37%
- Both hearing loss and vision loss can shrink your brain. Untreated hearing loss and vision loss can also lead to isolation which increases risk of dementia
Vaccines doing double duty?:
Are you over 50? Did you get your Shingles Vaccine? Here is another reason ask your doctors about getting vaccinated today. (the other reason is Shingles can be excruciatingly painful and for some the nerve pain lasts a lifetime).
Some observational studies show the Shingles vaccine could reduce risk of all dementias by 20%. This may be the case because the chicken pox virus could be implicated in dementia
In your late 60s or over?- That tech in your hand may reduce your cognitive impairment.
-In a study of participants of the average age of 69 higher levels of digital exposure reduced risk of cognitive impairment. So learn a new dance, how to fix that dishwasher on the internet, or use that tech gadget. It seems to have a similar reduction in risk as walking for an hour.
I think therefore I am
-If you assume you are going to cognitively impaired than that is what test will show. So do your thing! People are living into healthy lives into their 100s more than ever before so that’s your plan too. I know it’s mine!
Drugs they are looking into:
Lithium-We have this naturally in our body. Studies on mice it showed that when this natural lithium was stripped from the mice amyloid plaque formed. (This is not the same lithium often used in medication to treat disorders like bi-polar). The studies are ongoing and mice are not human, but we’ll keep our eyes out for new developments
GLP 1s – often used for diabetes and weight loss are being studied for use in reducing dementia. A study by Dr. Edison did the first clinical trial with 204 patients. Half took an older GLP-1s and the other half with a placebo. The half that took the GLP-1s in the year+ long study had a significant slowdown in cognitive decline and scans showed substantially less volume loss in several areas of the brain.
Hormone therapy-being studied to see if in the future it could be used in treating or preventing dementia.
Fortunately, we know more about what we can do to reduce the risk so don’t hesitate to act. Here are some takeaways:
- Get your vision and hearing checked and take action to treat any loss
- Make sure you are asking your doctor and getting the vaccinations you need
- Remember to think positively.
- Try something new this week
- Know that hope and good science is in abundance
Check out Care Answered blogs to keep informed and reach out to us at www.careanswered.com or 516-584-2007 Ext. 1 to access your best care and give loved ones’ peace of mind. We get healthcare DONE.