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“Physically Fit Women Nearly 90% Less Likely To Develop Dementia”

RunsWithBees
RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
edited December 19 in Debate Club
Personally I work with disabled seniors, most of whom have dementia and it’s just an awful, cruel disease that robs a person of their independence and dignity.
Generally people not familiar with dementia only think of the memory issues associated with the disease, but it is so much more than that. Everyone’s degree of symptoms is different but eventually most lose their ability to reason, think and remember even the most simple things. For example, how to care for themselves, personal hygiene, how to dress, how to use money, how to read and write, how to drive, who their family members are, how to get out of bed without falling, etc. They lose all concept of time/date, forget how to sit/stand/walk, forget how to eat, lose the ability to speak, lose the ability to comprehend speech and interact, forget that they are in familiar surroundings even if they are in the home they’ve lived in all their life, etc.
Remember the stories about the deaths from eating TidePods? Most of the people who died were seniors with dementia. They will often forget what is edible and what is not and it’s a real tragedy. Most die of complications from falls, being underweight, infections from being bedbound and pneumonia caused by aspiration of foods & beverages because their brain can no longer coordinate swallowing properly.

Dementia kills more people every year than breast cancer & prostate cancer.

And there is no cure.

This was as a Swedish study done on middle aged women.

https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1634

Any chance to stave off this terrible disease is definitely worth trying!

Were you aware of this study? Would it be enough to change your exercise routines or lack there of? Is the study flawed or not worth much consideration? Thoughts/opinions?
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Replies

  • walking2running
    walking2running Posts: 140 Member
    hmm definitely a huge incentive to stay physically active
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    walking2running wrote: »
    hmm definitely a huge incentive to stay physically active

    Yep
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    walking2running wrote: »
    hmm definitely a huge incentive to stay physically active

    Definitely! Plus physical activity is directly correlated with quality of life so it definitely makes sense to move more!
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    monkeefan1974 wrote: »
    ecjim wrote: »
    My Mom has Alzheimer's - fairly well advanced - Dad cares for her - I would not call her athletic, but she did play tennis - ride a bicycle and was active - up on her feet doing things, and lived a healthy lifestyle
    I'm sure the study is accurate -A physically active person usually will live longer & be healthy & active longer. With Dementia there may be a chicken & egg situation -maybe -The person who is not active may be pre disposed to dementia, The type of person who is active may also be the type who is at a lower risk - maybe - but I am sure we all can lower our risk for dementia and other health problems through physical activity and by other life style choices - not smoking , drinking & eating your veggies.

    It sort of sounds like I'm straddling the fence here

    It could be a chicken & egg situation indeed. But they did test these women in middle age around 50-ish well before any dementia symptoms set in.

    I’ve actually heard Alzheimer’s Disease called “Type 3 Diabetes” in some early research due to some correlation between blood sugar and brain function but there’s really no good research out there yet.

    We all have a genetic / hereditary pre disposition to certain diseases weather it is heart disease, cancer , Alzheimer's or any other. We can also all stay healthier & live a longer - more active life by the choices we make & exercise is one of those choices - along with eating your veggies
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    If you are a runner you're burnin' up the carbs. I lower carb - too much can hit me like a narcotic, I normally keep it 100 or a bit more. Right now I'm closer to 200 because I need to gain a few lbs back. I do like bread & rice.
    The liver is amazing with the regeneration - I had liver issues from alcohol years ago - all better now
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    Bump!
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,157 Member
    And, my understanding is the meds for insulin stimulate the appetite. A double whammy.
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,303 Member
    It seem keeping carbs under better control, sometimes by only 15 to 20 grams, or even 50 grms lower a day than MFP suggests can make a difference depending on the person and their degree of insulin resistance. Being less free with added sugar products and avoiding mass produced foods as often as possible will also help. Unfortunately we don't all have the time to be able to cook each and every meal, so we know exactly what we are eating. I hope we can all learn how to avoid laying down those debilitating amyloid plaques.

    I've also worked with dementure sufferes and the outlook is not great once the damage sets in. Keeping these people safe is such a responsibility when they can't look after themselves or recognise dangers. They are still the accumulation of all their life experiences and need respecting as such.
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    Fuzzipeg wrote: »
    It seem keeping carbs under better control, sometimes by only 15 to 20 grams, or even 50 grms lower a day than MFP suggests can make a difference depending on the person and their degree of insulin resistance. Being less free with added sugar products and avoiding mass produced foods as often as possible will also help. Unfortunately we don't all have the time to be able to cook each and every meal, so we know exactly what we are eating. I hope we can all learn how to avoid laying down those debilitating amyloid plaques.

    I've also worked with dementure sufferes and the outlook is not great once the damage sets in. Keeping these people safe is such a responsibility when they can't look after themselves or recognise dangers. They are still the accumulation of all their life experiences and need respecting as such.

    According to some research it seems that the amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles begin to accumulate in middle age, well before any symptoms begin to show. Once the dementia is actually diagnosed, it will only get worse and worse. This study shows that women who are “very fit” in middle age are less likely to get dementia or get it much later on in life than those who are not fit. Perhaps the exercise they do in middle age helps to clear out the amyloid & tau, more research needs to be done of course. But it’s worth a try to stay fit if it means better quality of life as we age!
  • ladyreva78
    ladyreva78 Posts: 4,080 Member
    Is there a genetic component to dementia? Or is that a pure 'lifestyle' disease caused by our increased access to food and deceasing physical activity?
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I've seen it called T3D too. Some seem to show dementia is at least partially from IR in the brain. Since exercise helps manage BG, and appears to help prevent some IR, it makes sense that exercise could help prevent some Alzheimer's.

    From what I've seen, it is a preventative thing. Exercise helps reverse IR in muscles but does help as much with the brain. Dietary changes look more promising at that point, IMO.
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    ladyreva78 wrote: »
    Is there a genetic component to dementia? Or is that a pure 'lifestyle' disease caused by our increased access to food and deceasing physical activity?

    The truth is we don’t know exactly what causes dementia but there are genetic dispositions to it in some families. More research is needed!
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    Fuzzipeg wrote: »
    A Canadian dementia site gives a good list of causes, from alcoholism and drug abuse to vit b 12 deficiency, (which can be caused by the lack of a digestive enzyme to protect it to the place where it is absorbed, there is a very long list of health issues associated with low vit b12) The site also give poor thyroid function as a cause too. Family history can be indicative, having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabeties and even smoking can all be associated factors. Dementia can happen as the result of a brain injury. In situations where b12 deficiency or thyroid function are adequately diagnosed and addressed the situation can improve so its not a life sentence in all situations.

    Alzheimer's is different to vascular dementia which comes from strokes and other vascular issues. Thinking is moving to the causes of Alzheimer's having many causes from toxic environments, think engine fumes, chemicals from industry or leaching from carpets and other household items. (I'm concerned about some strong perfumes and laundry residues which can leave me and others nauseous) Viruses are in the possible causes, irregular protein production, compromised blood flow to the brain can be in the mix. Ageing into very advanced years with a family history is there are a key component.

    I follow many UK, information content programs, Trust me I'm a Doctor, Doctor in the house, there are more, radio programmes, Inside Science and Inside Heath, 2 separate programmes, even "the food programme" has had several programmes devoted to the role of digestive microbes in health. Then there is "all in the mind", this beings out some really good snippets, not least, low thyroid t3 can contribute to mental health issues!

    Our turn to medications, antibiotics not only kill off the microbes causing the problem we take them for they also kill of some of the more beneficial ones allowing less helpful ones to become out of balance. Female contraceptives also can have a detrimental effect on the body some are more susceptible than others. Even vegetarians can be at risk of having increased copper levels which can cause many symptoms. I worry because many with thyroid problems are fobbed off with normal range numbers, this can cover a multitude of sins because a person might be within general normal range but for them specifically it is causing a real problem.

    It is true, in any one person we can't say the cause is this or that but we know contributory factors so its up to us to keep ourselves as well as we can, even when our health advisers feel to be working against us. Not testing for thyroid problems properly. STTM a thyroid support site says the numbers we are all held up to are floored, in that the sample remains from other tests used for thyroid testing was not accompanied by information from the patient, were they or other members of their families being treated for thyroid issues? That is a really big one because it will distort the figures achieved. Even age and gender would have helped. Thyroid conditions are more common in women. Dietary insufficiencies can be responsible for the decrease in conversion rate of t4 to t3. the body needs a certain amount of iodine a day amounting to 1/4 of a teaspoon over year but without selenium, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals conversion will be compromised, yet ensuring good nutrition is not at the top of anyone's list of to check on, at least here in the UK.

    What is known is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to health or chronic health conditions. Its up to us to stay with the cutting edge of understanding for so many reasons, mine is self preservation. Good Health, to everyone.

    Very interesting points! I’ll have to look into some of the things you mentioned. There are bound to be many factors causing the many types of dementia that exist. This study is very inspiring though and more research is definitely needed.
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    Mari22na wrote: »
    Exercise is good. Genetics rule. I know a fit family, the fittest people I know. Work from daylight to dark all of the days of their life. The grandmother, mother and now all of the children have it. They're relatively young in their 50s's and leaving this world one by one within months of each other.

    Sounds like there’s a genetic component for sure. Hopefully the much needed research will continue and one day we will have effective treatments or even a cure for this terrible disease.
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    I've seen it called T3D too. Some seem to show dementia is at least partially from IR in the brain. Since exercise helps manage BG, and appears to help prevent some IR, it makes sense that exercise could help prevent some Alzheimer's.

    From what I've seen, it is a preventative thing. Exercise helps reverse IR in muscles but does help as much with the brain. Dietary changes look more promising at that point, IMO.

    Definitely good points to consider. This was an interesting study that offers some hope to possibly curb this terrible disease and more physical activity will improve quality of life regardless.
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »
    My mother has dementia, she is 78, possibly had it for at least 8 to 10 years. My mother never did learn to drive and pretty much walked everywhere, she wasn't into active activities but did play lawn bowls. In her sixties she had the bones of a much younger person due to her walking...she use to maintain a cracking pace.

    I have heard that some people call dementia the third diabetes.

    Being fit and healthy may not be a deterrant to all health issues and illnesses but at least being fit and healthy gives most a fighting chance.
    mom23mangos wrote: »
    Definitely incentive! Barring an accident, I'm pretty sure I'm going to live a very long time. My maternal grandmother passed at 94. My paternal grandmother is still alive and kicking at 96. My fear however is that I'll live a long time, but suffer from dementia like my maternal Grandmother.

    Indeed with the way this terrible disease presents and progresses, just about any chance to stave it off would be worth taking. And physical exercise will enrich our lives more anyway so it’s definitely worth a try!
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    monkeefan1974 wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    I've seen it called T3D too. Some seem to show dementia is at least partially from IR in the brain. Since exercise helps manage BG, and appears to help prevent some IR, it makes sense that exercise could help prevent some Alzheimer's.

    From what I've seen, it is a preventative thing. Exercise helps reverse IR in muscles but does help as much with the brain. Dietary changes look more promising at that point, IMO.

    Definitely good points to consider. This was an interesting study that offers some hope to possibly curb this terrible disease and more physical activity will improve quality of life regardless.

    I agree that physical activity does help. A lot. The problem is for those who can't do much physical activity. Some people can't do enough to get much of a benefit. :(
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    I’ve mentioned this book a few times in other threads but Why We Sleep has a chapter talking about Alzheimer’s and other formers of dementia and how Sleep research is looking at causality between the two - there seems to be some longitudinal studies from Europe that draw some interesting conclusions
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    monkeefan1974 wrote: »
    Mari22na wrote: »
    Exercise is good. Genetics rule. I know a fit family, the fittest people I know. Work from daylight to dark all of the days of their life. The grandmother, mother and now all of the children have it. They're relatively young in their 50s's and leaving this world one by one within months of each other.

    Sounds like there’s a genetic component for sure. Hopefully the much needed research will continue and one day we will have effective treatments or even a cure for this terrible disease.

    There have been a few genes that if you have them you get Alzheimer's. Mostly linked to early onset. There have been a few families with these genes that have been helping with research. I don't remember their names but there is a documentary on it.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Ok found the info
    https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/60-minutes-alzheimers-disease-medellin-colombia-lesley-stahl/
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    edited July 2018
    My grandma is an identical twin. My grandma is in really poor health and I suspect she has dementia or she’s starting to. It’s very sad. However her twin seems to be very healthy. Her mind is all there, she gets around much better. She was also a lot more active and always exercised. Even now she likes to play tennis among other things. . My grandma never exercised. (According to my mom) I know I just picked one thing out of the many different lifestyle choices they both made throughout their lives so I’m sure that’s not the only contributing factor. But still.
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