What You Can Do To Decrease Your Risk For Dementia

In an article by Robert Preidt for MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a new study has shown that "it may be possible to lower the incidence of dementia by reducing rates of diabetes and depression, boosting education, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption."

The exact cause of dementia is still unknown but scientists in the study believe that their are greater risks when you have a history of depression, a diet rich in sugar, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, less of an education and vascular problems. The study of 1,433 healthy people over 65 living in the south of France showed that reducing or eliminating any of the above significantly reduced their chances of contracting dementia.

Eliminating depression decreased your risk by 10%. Increasing education improved your odds of having dementia by 18%.

Alcohol Affects Seniors Differently

According to West Virginia University older people metabolize alcohol differently than younger folks. Their tolerance to alcohol is decreased as is their reaction time. Not only does alcohol increase body fat, it reduces the amount of muscle and stays in the body longer.

Alcohol can also impact health for seniors living with chronic disease, such as diabetes, heart problems, osteoporosis, sleep disorders, malnutrition, ulcers, cancer and depression.

One of my favorite sites, FamilyDoctor, helps people recognize the signs of problem drinking:

1. Having more than 7 drinks per week

2. Using alcohol to relieve anxiety or go to sleep

3. Not being able to stop once it's begun

4. Having tried to stop unsuccessfully

5. Not remembering what happened while drinking

Nowadays there are many avenues to get help including live person chats.

At 50somethinginfo.com, you can rate your drinking habits, easily connect with alcohol treatment programs and learn about late-onset alcoholism.