Tips for Preventing Dementia

Physical activity, tea-drinking, sufficient vitamin D levels may help reduce risk of brain decline, studies suggest.
USA Today (7/12, Marcus) reports that, according to three studies presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, "improved living and diet habits -- including lots of physical activity, regular tea-drinking and sufficient vitamin D levels -- could reduce the risk of brain decline." In a study following some 1,200 elderly individuals over two decades, investigators discovered that "participants who had moderate to heavy levels of physical activity had about a 40% lower risk of developing any type of dementia." A second study "including data on more than 4,800 men and women ages 65 and older" found that "those who drank tea one to four times a week had average annual rates of decline 37% lower than people who didn't drink tea."
HealthDay (7/11, Preidt) reported that a third study that "analyzed data from 3,325 people aged 65 and older" found that "the risk of cognitive impairment was 42 percent higher