New Study Connects Sleep and Dementia Starting Early Age

 

New ground breaking research study published on Tuesday Association of sleep duration in middle and old age with incidence of dementia in the Nature Communications journal has long reaching implications challenging what you may have been thinking about sleep. Specifically your sleeping habits. You no longer should use your "feelings of restfulness" as your guide to how much sleep your body needs to function properly to maintain health namely prevent dementia.

This study followed nearly 8,000 people in Britain for about 25 years, beginning when they were 50 years old. You might be thinking "oh, this is not me" not true keep reading. In other words, the number of hours of sleep you consistently get starting around age 20 increases your risk of developing dementia later in life.  

Let's look to the medical research. 

The research demonstrated you are: 

• 30% (1/3) more likely to develop dementia if you consistently sleep six (6) hours or less

• less likely to be diagnosed with dementia nearly three decades later if you regularly get seven (7) hours sleep (defined as “normal” sleep in the study) 

This makes sense because it has been well documented the timeline for chronic disease progression is about 10 - 15 years before you develop symptoms so sleep patterns are within that time frame that could be considered an emerging impact on the development of dementia. 

How much sleep do you need to prevent disease and maintain your health?

The National Sleep Association recommends: 

 

• School Age 9-12 hours

• Teens 8 - 10 hours (13 - 17 yrs) 

• Adult (18 - 60 yrs) 7+ hours (60 yrs+) 7 - 9 hours

Looking for steps you can take to improve your sleep? click here >>>

What can you do to prevent dementia? 

Steps you can take to prevent dementia published in Stanford Health Care article Preventing Dementia. Dementia is hard to prevent, because what causes it often is not known. However, they measures will help improve your overall health reducing your risks of developing dementia. 

 

• Don't smoke.

• Stay at a healthy weight. 

• Get plenty of exercise. (home fitness series)

• Eat healthy food.

• Manage health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

• Stay mentally alert by learning new hobbies, reading, or solving crossword puzzles.

• Stay involved socially. Attend community activities, church, or support groups.

• If your doctor recommends it, take aspirin.

 Wondering what's the difference between Alzheimer's vs Dementia 

WebMD explains. Dementia is the name for a group of brain disorders that make it hard to remember, think clearly, make decisions, or even control your emotions. Alzheimer’s disease is one of those disorders, but there are many different types and causes of dementia. Dementia isn’t just about simple memory mishaps -- like forgetting someone’s name or where you parked. Keep reading click here>>

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Cindy Cohen RN, BS BA, Certified Health Coach, Wellness Consultant, C2 Your Health #wellnesswednesday  #C2YourHealth #CindyCohenRN #nutz4nutrition