ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Healthy habits dramatically reduce risk of dementia, diabetes and heart disease

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
December 11, 2013 - Updated on January 6, 2014
in Health, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

A study which monitored the health habits of 2,235 men over a 35-year period has found that exercise significantly reduces the risk of dementia.

It may seem like common sense, but it can never be emphasized too much: a healthy lifestyle ensures a longer… healthier life – it’s basically as simple as that. Published by researchers from Cardiff University, the study is the longest of its kind to probe the influence of environmental factors in chronic disease. They found 5 major behaviors that are crucial to a disease-free lifestyle: taking regular exercise, non-smoking, a low bodyweight, a healthy diet and a low alcohol intake.

As the picture says, the people who follow at least 4 of these 5 behaviors experienced a 60 per cent decline in dementia and cognitive decline – with exercise being the strongest mitigating factor. Exercise alone ensures a 70% percent decline in diabetes and heart diseases.

“The size of reduction in the instance of disease owing to these simple healthy steps has really amazed us and is of enormous importance in an aging population,” said Principle Investigator Professor Peter Elwood from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine. “What the research shows is that following a healthy lifestyle confers surprisingly large benefits to health – healthy behaviours have a far more beneficial effect than any medical treatment or preventative procedure.

“Taking up and following a healthy lifestyle is however the responsibility of the individual him or herself. Sadly, the evidence from this study shows that very few people follow a fully healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, our findings reveal that while the number of people who smoke has gone down since the study started, the number of people leading a fully healthy lifestyle has not changed,” he added.

However, the survey they carried in Wales showed that less than one per cent of people in Wales follow a completely healthy lifestyle; on the other end of the spectrum, five percent of them follow none of these healthy habits – pretty worrying figures. Professor Elwood continued, explaining what a huge impact positive changes could have:

“If the men had been urged to adopt just one additional healthy behaviour at the start of the study 35 years ago, and if only half of them complied, then during the ensuing 35 years there would have been a 13 per cent reduction in dementia, a 12 per cent drop in diabetes, six per cent less vascular disease and a five per cent reduction in deaths.”

Just to make it clear – studies such as this one are not redundant. As I already said, people need to be shown, as much as possible, that a healthy lifestyle is incredibly important and can never be understated. There are so many things that we used to take for granted as a “normal part of aging” – now we know that things don’t necessarily have to be that way.

Christopher Allen, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, which part-funded the study, said:

RelatedPosts

Trying to stay motivated? Shift your strategy from ‘do better’ to ‘avoid worse’ mid-game
Running may not help lose weight — but it’s very good for you long-term
We’ll soon be able to hack our nerves into controlling diseases
Origami-Inspired Heart Valve May Revolutionize Treatment for Toddlers

“The results of this study overwhelmingly support the notion that adopting a healthy lifestyle reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. These findings will hopefully go a long way in encouraging people to carefully consider their lifestyle and how it will impact on their health in later years.”

Via Cardiff University.

Tags: diabetesexerciseheart disease

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Health

Drinking Sugar May Be Far Worse for You Than Eating It, Scientists Say

byTibi Puiu
3 weeks ago
Health

The world is facing a rising dementia crisis. The worst is in China

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago
Diseases

This Test Could Catch Heart Trouble Years Before It Strikes For Under $7

byTudor Tarita
3 months ago
Health

Any Kind of Exercise, At Any Age, Boosts Your Brain

byTudor Tarita
3 months ago

Recent news

Coolness Isn’t About Looks or Money. It’s About These Six Things, According to Science

July 1, 2025

Ancient Roman Pompeii had way more erotic art than you’d think

July 1, 2025

Wild Orcas Are Offering Fish to Humans and Scientists Say They May Be Trying to Bond with Us

July 1, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.