Dementia can be kept away with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle

The count of dementia affected people is increasing worldwide. People suffering from dementia tend to experience loss of cognitive functioning like reasoning, remembering and thinking.

According to World Health Organisation, few lifestyle changes may help delay the progression of the disorder.

Eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly, consuming less alcohol, maintaining healthy blood pressure and avoiding tobacco intake are some of the factors that may help reduce risk of dementia, suggests WHO.

The WHO also stressed avoiding dietary supplements like vitamins B and E.

Dementia is a cognitive disorder that has the ability to interfere with a person’s daily life and activities.

According to WHO, the disease is also causing heavy economic toll which may rise to $2 trillion annually by 2030.

“While some people are unlucky and inherit a combination of genes that makes it highly likely they will develop dementia, many people have the opportunity to substantially reduce their risk by living a healthy lifestyle,” said the lead researcher of the study, Professor Tara Spires-Jones.

She further explained, “The WHO has looked at the available evidence and made recommendations that some lifestyle changes, in particular, increasing exercise before any cognitive symptoms are present, can reduce dementia risk.”

In order to reduce the risk of this disorder, it is imperative to efficiently manage hypertension, weight, diabetes and also regulate unbalanced or unhealthy cholesterol levels.

“The disease is a major cause of disability and dependency among older people and “can devastate the lives of affected individuals, their careers and families,” stressed the international health organization.