The science is clear and growing stronger: dementia is not inevitable, and in many cases, risk can be significantly reduced through lifestyle changes. In fact, new research is shifting the conversation from treatment to prevention.
One of the most influential studies is the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, which identified 12 modifiable risk factors that, if addressed, could prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases worldwide.¹ These include physical inactivity, high blood pressure, hearing loss, smoking, poor diet, depression, diabetes, low social engagement, and even air pollution.
Meanwhile, large prevention trials — like the FINGER Study (Finland) and the U.S. POINTER Study — have shown that multi-domain lifestyle interventions combining exercise, diet, cognitive training, and medical risk management can maintain or even improve brain function in older adults.² ³
Other promising areas of research include sleep quality, gut-brain health, and inflammation control — all of which are being closely studied as contributors to cognitive aging.
The takeaway? Dementia risk isn’t just in your genes — it’s also in your daily choices. And the earlier you take action, the better.
Sources:
- Livingston, G., et al. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet.
- Ngandu, T., et al. (2015). FINGER: A 2-year multidomain intervention to prevent cognitive decline. Lancet Neurology.
- Alzheimer’s Association. (2024). U.S. POINTER Study Results.
https://www.alz.org/us-pointer/study-results.asp
Keeping Sharp 
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