Study: Exposure to This Increases Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
A nationwide study of people in the U.S. found a direct relationship between exposure to air pollution and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers reviewed medical data from more than 27.8 million older adults, age 65 and up, between 2000 and 2018. The findings were published in PLOS Medicine.
"We found that long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution was associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, largely through direct effects on the brain rather than through common chronic conditions," the authors noted in a news release.
Previous research published in The Lancetand elsewhere also links long-term air pollution and memory issues, including dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
So while this might not affect you yet, it might affect your parents.
Other Causes and Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease
Age is the greatest known risk factor for this and other types of dementia. There are also other strong factors.
- Family history
- Genetics
- Head injury
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
Reducing Your Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Although some factors are not something we can change, there are healthy practices to help you reduce your risk. Learning new skills is one. Whether you go back to school, increase your reading, download an app on your phone to play thinking games like chess, or anything you enjoy, you should try to do more of it. Getting quality sleep can keep you sharp, as can eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, and exercising regularly.