When we think of dementia, we often fear a loss of control. But the reassuring news is that up to 40 percent of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed if we change our health habits.
Dementia shares key risk factors with cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, being overweight, and smoking. Inflammation and oxidative stress (when protective antioxidants lose their fight with damaging free radicals) follow. This damages blood vessels and reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.