'I'm a dementia expert - following 5 rules at 40 could lower your risk of Alzheimer's'

'I'm a dementia expert - following 5 rules at 40 could lower your risk of Alzheimer's' An expert shared some lifestyle changes to help lower your risk of cognitive decline later in life A dementia expert has shared five rules everyone should follow when they reach 40 to help minimise their risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Making these lifestyle changes could protect against cognitive decline. Dementia is a syndrome, or a group of symptoms, linked to the ongoing decline of the brain. Most common in those over the age of 65, it can cause issues such as memory loss, behavioural changes, and even mobility problems. There are many types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common. Dr Tim Beanland, head of knowledge and learning at the Alzheimer’s Society, explained more. He said: “Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It is caused by a physical illness that damages a person’s brain. Two proteins inside the brain called amyloid and tau can build up and clump together, which makes it harder for the brain to work properly. "Eventually the brain struggles to cope with the damage as the nerve cells die and the person begins to have problems with memory and thinking. When it gets to the stage where these problems are making it difficult for the person to do everyday tasks that they used to do easily, this is called ‘dementia’. “There are currently around one million people in the UK with dementia and about two out of three people living with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease.” Alzheimer’s disease affects everyone differently, but early symptoms often include: - Memory problems - Thinking and reasoning difficulties - Language problems - Changes to how people see and hear things - Changes in mood If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, you should speak to a GP. You can also use the Alzheimer’s Society online symptom checklist here to help prepare for this. Who is at risk? There are certain risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease that are out of our control “Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, as it is for most types of dementia,” said Dr Beanland. “Over 90 per cent of people with Alzheimer’s are older than 65, but a small number develop symptoms below that age, known as ‘young-onset Alzheimer’s disease’. Overall, women are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as men. “To some extent, this is because women tend to live longer. The risk is about the same for both sexes until you get to the age of around 80 years. “From that point onwards, women are more likely to be diagnosed with the condition. For reasons we still don’t fully understand, Alzheimer’s seems to work differently in women compared to men. “Certain genes can also affect a person’s chances of getting Alzheimer’s. The most common is APOE. Around 1 in 4 of all people have a version of this gene called APOE4, which carries a higher risk of Alzheimer’s than other types. “While this might sound scary, it’s important to know that most people with APOE4 don’t develop dementia. It’s just another risk factor.” How to lower your risk However, it is still possible to lower your risk of Alzheimer’s with certain habits and lifestyle changes. Dr Beanland recommended that people aged 40 and over follow five rules to do so. These are: - Do not smoke - Don’t drink too much alcohol - Be physically active - Eat a healthy, balanced diet - Stay mentally and socially active He added: “People who live a healthy lifestyle, especially from mid-life (age 40–65) onwards, are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. This includes not smoking, not drinking too much alcohol, being physically active, and eating a healthy, balanced diet. Keeping mentally and socially active also helps.”