Reduce your risk of dementia, here’s how

By MiNDFOOD

Reduce your risk of dementia, here’s how
Strange but true. A new study reveals that your risk for developing dementia can be reduced by living away from busy roads.

According to a study conducted by scientists at Public Health Ontario, Canada, your risk for developing dementia increases the closer you live near busy roads with heavy traffic.

Published in The Lancet, the study, titled ‘Living Near Major Roads and the Incidence of Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis: A Population-based Cohort Study’, found that people who lived within 50m of high-traffic roads had a 7% higher chance of developing dementia compared to those who lived more than 300m away from busy roadways.

At more than 200m, the elevated risk faded away. “Air pollutants can get into the bloodstream and lead to inflammation,” says Ray Copes, an environmental and occupational health expert who conducted the study with colleagues.

Another study, published in Environmental Health found that living near green spaces, such as parks, can help protect against developing neurological disorders like dementia, Parkinson’s and MS.

“Our findings do suggest that urban planning efforts to increase accessibility to green spaces and to reduce motor vehicle traffic would be beneficial for neurological health,” said Weiran Yuchi, the study’s lead author.

3 ways to improve air quality

If you have no choice but to live or work near heavy traffic there are things you can do to improve your air quality.

  • Vacuum often and thoroughly,
  • Use exhaust fans, and
  • Change filters regularly on heating and cooling equipment.

The NASA Clean Air Study also shows how some plants like the Peace Lily, Spider Plant, English Ivy and the Boston Fern are able to remove toxins in your indoor air.

READ MORE: The 12 risk factors of dementia you should know.

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