Recent Study Reveals Truth About Statins And Dementia

Dementia is a neurological problem that affects millions of people. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, in 2015, there are about 46.8 million people worldwide who live with dementia. The number is expected to double in a span of 20 years more.

The disorder has brought a lot of studies to be conducted on the disease. Risk factors were identified in order to help bring awareness to the public on how this neurological disease can be prevented. What scientists discovered was that you could lower your risk of dementia by addressing certain risk factors such as obesity and becoming sedentary.

Statins and Dementia

Alzheimer’s Society noted that there is medical evidence, which suggests a possible link between the development of dementia and high-cholesterol levels during mid-life. This gave rise to speculations that statins, the drug used to lower blood cholesterol levels, has something to do with the increased dementia risk.

A more recent study, however, conducted by the University of New South Wales, in collaboration with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, found that statins don’t have anything to do with the said risk. A study of 1,000 elderly people showed that statins did not produce a negative impact on the risk of developing dementia.

In fact, the opposite was ascertained. People who took statins enjoyed certain benefits, including protective benefits against dementia. In conclusion, they stated that statins could help people against a declining memory.

Aside from dementia, other health risks that statins would have a positive effect on include diabetes and heart disease. These two illnesses have been considered among the risk factors of dementia. According to the study, the cognitive decline of individuals was apparently reduced because of taking statins.

Other Ways to Prevent Dementia

Medical practitioners have gone out of their way to provide ample warning on how to prevent dementia risk. There are certain things that you can do, which could lower your risk of developing the degenerative disease.

Be more physically active. Exercise is good for the brain, and things that benefit the brain could also help in preventing the onset of neurological diseases. Eat more brain foods like walnuts. These foods keep the brain healthy and help in reducing your risk.

By taking note of these ways to prevent the risk of dementia, you would be able to save not only yourself but also your loved ones. The old saying “prevention is better than the cure” cannot be overstated.