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(Bloomberg Opinion) – A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association creates a compelling case that a healthy lifestyle makes an aging brain good.
This may look clear. Eat well, exercise, challenge yourself mentally, take an active social life and you will be better for it. Nevertheless, researchers are beginning to offer the risk of dementia, which can reduce the risk of dementia by changing the dutiful lifestyle that is beginning to affect some 6 million Americans.
But the message that has some agency on people’s brain health, must be associated with another: they need help. It is difficult to change the inherent habits. However, research suggests that the creation of an auxiliary community around individuals can greatly improve its opportunities for success.
The so -called “pointer” test nominated more than 2,000 participants in its 60s and 70s, with all the risk to dementia. Researchers followed volunteers in two years as they were ready for lifestyle changes. There was a lot of space to improve the participants; None of them exercised regularly, and all of them had bad diets.
Volunteers were divided into two groups: one determined its priorities, while the other participated in a high structured program that included regular exercise, a specific diet, computer-based brain sports, social activities and community support.
Remandable, the participants of both groups saw significant improvements in their cognitive health. Laura Baker, a zerontologist and a prominent of the study, is called Laura Baker, a zerontologist, but the group that has received more intensive intervention conducts even more.
This large test gives weight to the growing body of work, underlining the relationship between lifestyle and cognitive health. The link was revealed in a study commissioned by the Lancet that found that about half of all dementia across the world could be delayed or seen by focusing on specific aspects of our health. The Lancet team identified more than a dozen risk factors, including hearing and vision loss, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, social isolation and exposure to air pollution.
There are warnings for new conclusions. In the editorial simultaneously, Jonathan Shot, a neurologist at the Dementia Research Center in London, the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, questioned whether the minor difference in profit between the two groups was sufficient to justify the cost of more rigorous intervention in the real -world setting. He also said that further research requires further research to determine whether the brain health improves over time – and whether they eventually cause low phenomena of dementia and better quality of life.
Some of those questions are coming soon from hope. In December, the researchers will report some figures from a series of side studies conducted as part of the test, checking how various lifestyle intervention affects factors such as Alzheimer’s disease sleep, vocal health, intestinal health and markers. Meanwhile, the research team has been following the participants for one and four years, to see if people stick to the changes made by them-and determine whether a temporary intervention can lead to long-term benefits to brain health.
But before we have more data, enough evidence exists to suggest that it is long to support older people as age. It is not enough for doctors to give people a two-do list and hope that they will follow through it. “Just because you have prescriptions, it does not mean that you can do it,” is called a baker. Those who are at risk of dementia, they are struggling for a reason, they say, and they are both needed and worth help.
The most profitable viewing group in the indicator test was an important component of their success. Community support was an important component of their success. “The entire investigator team feels that if you bite the social component, we will have nothing to report,” she says. “We are asking people to make new habits,” and it is difficult for you to do.
Arora, a 66 -year -old Filis Jones of Illinois, who was part of the structured intervention group, stated that colleague support has given him a community and purpose. “I obtained a network of incredible people – friends, masters and fellow advocates,” he asked reporters at a conference in Toronto, where the results were unveiled. The effect of the intervention was so deep-he reduced his blood sugar and cholesterol, lost weight and relieved joint pain-that she now refers to himself as “phyllis-bp” (before pointer) and “phyllis-p” (after indicator).
Of course, the question is that for the old adults living in the real world, the boundaries of a rigorous clinical test have to be re -made what the jones and others have experienced. Their accurate intensive program is likely to be impractical and is very expensive to repeat. In addition, the kind of community network that is embraced by one city may be flat in another. By that end, the Alzheimer’s Association-which has already invested $ 50 million in the study-is in the process of granting to the cities, including five in the initial testing, to understand how community-based support can work within local health care systems.
Jones’ experience also highlights the importance of helping people take charge of their health as they are with age. Both Her Mother and Grandmother Had Dementia, and she believes the trial has spoiled a generational shift in behavior. “This program has not only changed my attitude and behavior towards the health of the brain, but also that of my daughter,” and in turn, she says, she says, she says.
It seems worth an investment.
More than Bloomberg’s opinion:
This column reflects the individual views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.
Lisa Jarvis is a bloomberg opinion columnist covering the health care and pharmaceutical industry. Previously, she was the executive editor of Chemical and Engineering News.
Such more such stories are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
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