Alzheimer’s disease affects around six in every 10 people with dementia in the UK, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK. It’s the most common cause of dementia and a progressive condition, which means symptoms, such as memory problems, develop gradually over many years.
There’s currently no cure for dementia, but understanding the risk factors and doing what you can to prevent them is highly recommended among dementia experts.
Robert Love is a neuroscientist that specialises in helping people prevent Alzheimer’s disease using science. Taking to his TikTok channel, he warned of three “huge causes” of Alzheimer’s and how you can prevent them.
Risk factor number one – inflammation
It’s one you’ve heard of, said Love. He explained: “Inflammation is a huge risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease. How to reduce your risk?
“Number one, stop eating inflammatory foods, like refined sugar and processed foods, and number two, get more sleep and reduce your stress.
“Sleep is healing for the body and stress increases cortisol and chronically high cortisol and increases inflammation.”
Risk factor number two – traumatic brain injury
Love said: “Think about falling, think about if you’re doing skiing and have an accident or a car accident. Traumatic brain injury is a huge risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
“What can you do? First of all you can avoid bike riding. Bike riding is one of the major causes of concussions, and number two, make sure you wear a helmet when you’re doing sports.”
Risk factor number three – type 2 diabetes
Love said: “You’ve heard Alzheimer’s disease called ‘type 3 diabetes’, that is because people who have type 2 diabetes and are over the age 50 have a much greater increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“What can you do? Number one, exercise. Exercise is medicine for the brain and it helps use energy and it helps lower blood sugar levels and helps prevent type 2 diabetes.
“Number two is eat a diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables.”
