Keeping Healthy In Your 50s May Protect You From Alzheimers
As we get older, keeping excess weight at bay and maintaining good health and wellbeing can become more of a challenge. However, a recent study has shown that if we want to remain well into old age, then ensuring good health through middle age will go a long way in protecting your future self’s health.
A 25 year study of 346 people with an average age of 52 has concluded that obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol in your 50s dramatically increases your risk of Alzheimer’s.
The study was conducted through the process of using brain scans with researchers looking for amyloid plagues – protein fragments linked to Alzheimer’s. The study showed that those who suffered from vascular issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or obesity, had a greater level of brain amyloid in later life. It also showed that obesity was the main risk factor in this increased risk of Alzheimer’s development.
Those who didn’t suffer from any form of vascular issues until the age of 64 were found to carry the lowest risk of Alzheimer’s development in later life.
This study further embeds the importance of looking after your health and wellbeing no matter your age as it is never too late to make both a positive or negative impact.
