Leading a healthy lifestyle reduces chance of developing dementia by a third, major study finds

It could be possible to “substantially reduce” your chances of getting dementia by leading a healthy lifestyle, scientists in the UK have found.

In a major study based on an analysis of 196,383 adults aged over 60, researchers discovered that those with a high genetic risk of dementia were 32% less likely to get the disease if they lived healthily.

If people with a high genetic risk of dementia lived unhealthy lives, they were found to be three times more likely to develop the brain disease.

People with all other levels of genetic risk were also found to lower their chances of dementia by leading a healthy lifestyle.

The researchers identified 1,769 cases of dementia over a follow-up period of eight years.

The study was led by scientists from the University of Exeter in England.

It was published today in JAMA and presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2019 in Los Angeles.

Joint lead author Dr Elżbieta Kuźma said: "This is the first study to analyze the extent to which you may offset your genetic risk of dementia by living a healthy lifestyle.

“Our findings are exciting as they show that we can take action to try to offset our genetic risk for dementia. Sticking to a healthy lifestyle was associated with a reduced risk of dementia, regardless of the genetic risk."

The researchers’ measure of healthy lifestyles was based on diet, alcohol consumption, daily activity and smoking habits.

Dr David Llewellyn, the other joint lead author, said: "This research delivers a really important message that undermines a fatalistic view of dementia.

“Some people believe it's inevitable they'll develop dementia because of their genetics. However it appears that you may be able to substantially reduce your dementia risk by living a healthy lifestyle."