April 24, 2022, 6:21 am | Read time: 5 minutes

Alzheimer’s is one of the most feared diseases in old age. The brain shrinkage caused by so-called amyloid plaques initially leads to short-term memory and orientation disturbances. Later, Alzheimer’s can even cause personality changes, leading to delusional disorders, and patients may not recognize familiar people. But here’s the good news: According to a recent study, a healthy lifestyle in old age significantly impacts how long one can live without Alzheimer’s.

More People Affected by Dementia

The forecasts are alarming. According to a global data analysis, the number of people affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias is expected to nearly triple from about 57 million (2019) to 152 million by 2050.¹ In the U.S. alone, nearly one in nine people aged 65 and older already suffers from dementia.²

That’s why scientists have been researching for years not only the causes of Alzheimer’s and other dementias but also how to prevent their onset. A recent U.S. study reveals five lifestyle factors that help people live longer without Alzheimer’s.³ The study even quantifies how many more years one can avoid this type of dementia.

Also interesting: 2 Personality Traits That Can Protect Against Dementia

2,449 People Aged 65 and Older Studied for Dementia

The new study analyzed data from 2,449 people, all at least 65 years old, who participated in the “Chicago Health and Aging Project,” a cohort study in the U.S.⁴ All participants came from a neighborhood in the southern part of Chicago.

The study’s scientists defined five variable lifestyle factors that can influence the onset of dementia.

• Diet
• Cognitive activity in later life
• Physical activity
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption

From these five factors, they created a health score ranging from 0 to 5. The higher the score, the healthier the lifestyle of a study participant. The study authors then developed a life table to calculate the number of years spent in various health states. Factors such as age, ethnicity, marital status, educational status, and genetic risks were factored out.

Also interesting: The Fitter You Are, the Better You Are Protected Against Alzheimer’s, According to a Study

People with Healthy Lifestyles Live Longer Without Alzheimer’s

The scientists found that participants with a healthier lifestyle had a higher life expectancy. Most importantly, the additional years were spent without dementia. The study yielded the following results:

Dementia and Life Expectancy in Women

• The life expectancy of women aged 65 was an additional 24.2 years if they maintained a healthy lifestyle (score 4 or 5). They suffered from dementia for an average of only 2.6 years (10.8 percent of their remaining years).
• The life expectancy of women aged 65 was only an additional 21.1 years if they had an unhealthy lifestyle (score 0 or 1). They suffered from dementia for an average of 4.1 years (19.3 percent of their remaining years).

Dementia and Life Expectancy in Men

• The life expectancy of men aged 65 was an additional 23.1 years if they maintained a healthy lifestyle (score 4 or 5). They suffered from dementia for an average of only 1.4 years (6.1 percent of their remaining years).
• The life expectancy of men aged 65 was only an additional 17.4 years if they had an unhealthy lifestyle (score 0 or 1). They struggled with dementia for an average of 2.1 years (12.0 percent of their remaining years).

Also interesting: Preventing Alzheimer’s – Warning Signs to Watch for Starting at Age 35

More on the topic

According to the study These Dementia Risk Factors Are Already Present in 20-Year-Olds

Cognition Suffers How Childhood Obesity Affects the Brain in the Long Term

Conclusion

According to this study, a lifestyle with healthy eating, mental and physical activity, and avoiding smoking and frequent alcohol consumption has a significant impact—even beyond age 65. Women can extend their final quarter of life by about three years, and men by about 5.7 years. More importantly, a healthy lifestyle nearly halves the time spent with dementia. Women with healthy lifestyles spent 10.8 percent of their remaining years with Alzheimer’s, while those with unhealthy lifestyles spent 19.3 percent. For men, the percentage was 6.1 compared to 12.0.

Sources

• 1. GBD 2019 Dementia Forecasting Collaborators. (2022). Estimation of the global prevalence of dementia in 2019 and forecasted prevalence in 2050: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Public Health.
• 2. Rajan, K.B., Weuve, J., Barnes, L.L. et al. (2021). Population estimate of people with clinical Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment in the United States (2020-2060). Alzheimers Dement.
• 3. Dhana, K., Franco, O.H., Ritz, E.M., et al. (2022). Healthy lifestyle and life expectancy with and without Alzheimer’s dementia: population based cohort study. BMJ.
• 4. Bienias, J.L., Beckett, L.A., Bennett, D.A., et al. (2003). Design of the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP). J Alzheimers Dis.