“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commissions or revenue from certain articles through these links.”

Dementia impacts 6.7 million Americans, and the risk of developing the devastating disease increases with age. But researchers still aren’t sure exactly what causes dementia, which makes it even more terrifying.

Now, new research suggests that your job, education and even wealth can affect your risk of dementia. (Though, of course, dementia is a complex disease, and no single factor will help you develop the condition.)

However, it is useful to know all your risks and what you can do to reduce them. So how can your lifestyle affect your chances of dementia? Here’s what you need to know.

What did the study find?

The study, which was published in the journal Scientific reports in November, they analyzed data from 8,442 adults aged 50 and over in England over a decade. The researchers looked at people’s mental state over time, as well as information from their doctors, cognitive test results and socioeconomic factors.

The researchers found that people who came from more socioeconomically advantaged backgrounds—especially those who went to college, held managerial or professional occupations, or were in the richest third of the population—were less likely to pass from a healthy cognitive state to a light state. cognitive impairment or progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. This is compared to people who did not have a higher level of education, worked in manual or routine jobs and were in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged third of the population.

Having a higher level of education was associated with a 43% lower chance of moving from healthy cognitive status to mild impairment. Meanwhile, being in the wealthiest third of the population was associated with a 26% lower chance of progressing from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Can my income, job or education predict my risk of dementia?

It’s hard to say for sure. Again, dementia is a complex disease – and this is just one study. However, other studies have also found a bundle between having a lower level of education and a higher risk of developing dementia.

“It is possible that education and intellectually demanding jobs provide more mental stimulation and help build a stronger brain reserve to help protect people against cognitive impairment and dementia,” said Aswathikutty Gireesh , the study’s lead author and a PhD student at University College London, in an article. statement.

The findings “highlight the potential protective power of financial stability and access to resources in promoting brain health and cognitive resilience,” the researchers said. addedwhich emphasizes “the importance of social policies that support mental and cognitive well-being at all income levels.”

What are the risk factors for dementia?

Several things can increase your risk of developing dementia. right Mayo Clinicthese may include:

• Getting older

• Having a family history of dementia

• Having Down syndrome

• Being sedentary

• Having a bad diet

• Drink too much alcohol

• Having uncontrolled cardiovascular disease

• With untreated hearing or vision loss

• Having late-onset depression

• Being exposed to air pollution

• Having a history of head trauma

• Having sleep apnea

• Having low levels of certain vitamins and nutrients

• Using certain sleep aids, such as diphenhydramine and oxybutynin

How can I reduce my risk of dementia?

To reduce your risk of developing dementia, the Mayo Clinic suggests taking these steps:

• Try to keep your mind active

• Be physically and socially active

• Avoid smoking

• Get enough vitamin D

• Manage your cardiovascular risk factors

• Treat any health conditions you have

• Eat a healthy diet

• Try to get good quality sleep

• Treat your hearing loss

• Get regular eye exams and treat vision loss

You may also like