WHO has updated recommendations to reduce the risk of dementia

For the first time since 2019, the World Health Organization has updated recommendations for the prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia. WHO estimates that up to 45% of the risk of developing dementia is due to factors that can be controlled, including smoking, heavy drinking, social isolation, lack of physical activity, air pollution, high blood pressure and diabetes.

The new recommendations include, for the first time, reducing exposure to air pollution. WHO also advises maintaining physical activity, eating a healthy diet, controlling blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels, maintaining social contacts and engaging in brain-stimulating exercise. People with hearing loss may be recommended hearing aids as part of efforts to reduce the risk of dementia.

However, the organization does not recommend taking vitamins B and E, omega-3s, or multivitamins and mineral supplements solely for the prevention of dementia unless the person has an identified deficiency. According to the WHO, there is insufficient convincing evidence of the benefits of such supplements, and possible undesirable effects may outweigh the potential result.

More than 57 million people worldwide live with dementia, and almost 10 million more are diagnosed with the disease every year. Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of 60-70% of dementia cases. There is no completely curative treatment yet, but correction of risk factors can delay the development of the disease or reduce the likelihood of its occurrence.