“Dementia is an epidemic,”* primarily affecting the older population.
Dr. David B. Reuben, an expert in geriatric care who practices at UCLA Health, explains the crucial facts you and yours need to know.
Dementia is a disease defined by:
A chronic acquired decline in two of the following areas:
- Memory
- Reasoning and complex tasks
- Visuospatial
- Language
- Personality
-Sufficient to affect daily life
In individuals 65 years or older, dementia affects 10% of the population but rises with advancing age such that 35% of those 90 years or older have dementia.
The most under-represented fact you need to know about dementia is:
“It is a journey” that is “not entirely predictable” and “is unique for each person and their families going through it,” Reuben explains.
Living with dementia is challenging.
It’s vital to remember that there “are a number of things that layer on top of dementia” such as:
- Other health problems
- Other social situations that may be going on
- Changes in support systems
- The rates of progression of disease
- Complications of disease
What are risk factors commonly tied to an increased risk of dementia?
- Age (of course we all must age – unavoidable!)
- Cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure
- Individuals with lower education
- Hearing loss
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
The reality is that discoveries are being made constantly in identifying risk factors for dementia.
“In 2020, THE LANCET (a very prestigious journal) established a commission detailing how much of dementia might be preventable by reduction of risk factors,” Reuben stated.
The authors estimated that up to 40% of cases of dementia might be preventable if all risk factors were eliminated.
Modifiable risk factors are evaluated through observational data and / or randomized clinical trials. While randomized trials are “the most compelling,” there is far less clinical trial data at this time.
When researchers review observational data, they evaluate if you do (e.g., exercise, healthy diet) or do not participate (e.g., smoking, excessive alcohol ingestion) in something, you are better off.
Making healthy, smart choices are not only good for us present day, but play a pertinent role as we age. The decisions we make today could help us prevent increased geriatric diseases. This in turn would provide us with a better quality of life as senior citizens.
Curious what healthy eating lifestyle plan is suggested by Reuben?
We discussed three:
1 – Mediterranean diet
It is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, beans, fish and moderate amounts of cheese and yogurt.
2 – DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
It was designed to help prevent / treat high blood pressure and may lower cholesterol linked to heart disease.
The diet focuses on fruits, whole grains, vegetables, fat-free/low-fat dairy products, poultry, beans, fish, and nuts. It limits foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat.
3 – MIND diet
It was initially created in an effort to prevent cognitive decline.
It includes consuming a set number of whole grains, vegetables, berries, nuts, beans, poultry, fish and olive oil per week. Items such as pastries, red meats, cheeses, fried foods, and butter are limited.
“Unfortunately, there was a recent study published that there was a recent clinical trial that showed the MIND diet did not slow progression towards cognitive impairment,” he stated.
I was most curious if alcohol consumption goes hand-in-hand with dementia, and if so, what level of consumption and frequency had to be seen.
Reuben explained it is a controversial area, as there are no clinical trials, but some observational studies on it.
They indicate that “heavy drinking is bad for you,” but some show a “protective effect when mild amounts of alcohol consumed – i.e. 1 to 2 drinks a day in men.”
Once a person has been diagnosed with dementia, “alcohol does not mix well with dementia,” he clarified. Alcohol use makes the person “become disinhibited and enhances problematic behavioral symptoms.”
Continuing to bring more awareness to all aspects of living with dementia, risk factors, symptoms, and treatments is the goal of many medical and research professionals.
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*Dementia Explained, Dr. David B. Reuben, UCLA MD Chat
Dr. David B. Reuben is Chief, Division of Geriatrics Medicine at UCLA. He is past president of the American Geriatrics Society, Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Internal Medicine and is lead author of the book – Geriatrics at Your Fingertips as well as having published more than 220 peer-reviewed publications in medical journals, 39 books, and more.
Watch for more from Dr. Reuben where he discusses treatment options and new developments for persons living with dementia.
This website does not provide medical advice. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a medical professional or other qualified health care provider on any health matter or question.