One Dementia Factor That Changes Everything

Dementia is usually attributed to plaque buildup in your brain.

But there’s something that has scientists confused: Some people have lots of plaque and no signs of dementia, whereas others have hardly any and suffer full-blown dementia.

So, what is the hidden factor that determines whether your brain plaque causes dementia?

It turns out to be a simple lifestyle factor, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology.

And the best part is that you can make these lifestyle changes right now, right this minute!

In this study, researchers used data collected by the longitudinal MRC National Survey of Health and Development. The 1,184 subjects were British people born in 1946. They were followed across their lifespans.

A range of measures was taken over the course of the study:

1. A test at age 8 to measure cognitive abilities

2. Their education level by age 26. Their participation in challenging recreational activities by age 43. And their occupation through their adult lives up to age 53. These three were taken together as a cognitive reserve index

3. A reading test at age 53 to measure knowledge acquisition outside of education and occupation

4. A cognitive test at age 69

The researchers’ aim was to see whether the results of the measures taken between ages 8 and 53 made a difference in the subjects’ scores on the cognitive test at age 69.

The maximum possible score on this final cognitive test was 100. On average, participants scored 92, with the highest score being 100 and the lowest score being 53.

They found approximately what they expected. Those who scored higher on the childhood cognitive test, the cognitive reserve index, and the reading test also performed better on the cognitive test at age 69.

Let’s look at some specific numbers:

1. Every additional point on the childhood cognitive test was associated with a 0.10 improvement on the old-age cognitive test.

2. Every additional point on the cognitive reserve index was associated with a 0.07 improvement on the old-age cognitive test.

3. Every additional point on the reading ability test was associated with a 0.22 improvement on the old-age cognitive test.

4. People with a bachelor’s degree or higher scored 1.22 points higher.

5. Those who participated in six enriching recreational activities, such as reading clubs and general knowledge quizzes, scored 1.53 points higher.

6. Those in professional occupations scored 1.5 points higher.

The most promising finding was that regardless of participants’ cognitive abilities at age 8, those with higher cognitive reserves and stronger reading abilities did not decline as fast as they aged. This means that while genetics might be important, lifestyle is also extremely important.

Therefore, to prevent dementia, it is helpful to obtain a higher education, develop a lifelong reading habit, perform a job that requires thinking and memory, and engage in lots of enriching recreational activities.

In short, you need to use and challenge your brain throughout your life!

But even more important for your brain health (and something you can do right now) is to load up on ONE free ingredient, explained here, that most of us take for granted…