A British study has recently investigated what contributes to premature and accelerated aging of our brain. The good news: Some of the factors are within our control.
There are various risk factors for neurological diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Some of these are hereditary and are based on specific genes that increase our individual risk of premature brain aging. Other factors are related to our lifestyle and habits. A research group from the British University of Oxford has now investigated what actually causes our brain to age prematurely.
The team published the study results in the journal “Nature Communications.” For the study, the researchers analyzed brain scans and data from around 40,000 people from the UK. The participating men and women were all over 45 years old. The scientists examined which genetic factors and lifestyle choices increased the risk of brain diseases and its premature aging.
Study Investigates What Harms Our Brain the Most
In addition to hereditary predispositions due to certain genes, the team from the British elite university identified the following three factors as particularly significant:
1. Alcohol Consumption:
For a long time, it was believed that a little alcohol didn’t harm our health and might even have benefits, such as for the heart. This has long been debunked, and research is unanimous that regular consumption of alcoholic beverages particularly harms our brain and increases the risk of conditions like dementia. And this is true with every single glass.
2. Type 2 Diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes, which is typically lifestyle-related and can be caused by poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking, also harms our brain. Those suffering from type 2 diabetes have a 60 percent increased risk of developing dementia.
3. Air Pollution:
The third factor is somewhat more complex because it is less within our control. Significant air pollution, especially from traffic, can also harm our brain and cause it to age prematurely. Therefore, those living in a big city, particularly on a busy street, have a higher risk of dementia and other neurological diseases.
We cannot influence the genetic factors that cause our brain to age and increase our disease risk. However, our lifestyle is within our control, and we can at least ensure that we do not further increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and similar conditions. By consuming as little alcohol as possible (or none at all), not smoking, eating a balanced diet, getting enough exercise, and breathing air with as few pollutants and minimal car emissions as possible, we can at least partially protect our brain.
