Dementia expert shares simple activity you can do every day to lower risk
25.09.2023 - 15:09
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Dementia is a debilitating disease that affects the brain, but there are things you can do now to prevent it in later life.
The neurological condition affects over 900,000 people in the UK and because of its life-changing symptoms like memory loss and confusion, it is something that many Brits worry about. Despite this, only one third of people know that they can lower their dementia risk, according to research conducted by Alzheimer's Research UK.
Science has found that factors like the food we eat and how much we move play a role in our chances of developing dementia. Now, one expert has explained how gardening could help stave off the disease.
Dr Susan Mitchell, Head of Policy at Alzheimer's Research UK says that taking regular exercise is one thing to do now to lower your risk, but it doesn't have consist of sweaty gym sessions or gruelling runs. According to Susan, "whatever you can do is a step forward" when it comes to reducing risk of dementia, and it doesn't have to be so complicated, reports the Mirror.
The dementia expert added that "around 40 per cent of cases could be avoided globally", and "it's never too early and it's never too late" when it comes to taking steps to reduce risk.
Speaking about the important of physical exercise, Susan said: "It is important. It's this idea that it's good for your heart. It's getting people to understand that blood flow to the brain is actually really important.
"Our brain is a really important organ and I think it's quite easy to think that what happens above your neck is a separate system. Particularly things like vascular dementia, and for other diseases that cause dementia, exercise is vital."
Susan said exercise can be "as easy as going for a walk, gardening or even house