Researchers at Yale University and the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a set of 12 habits linked to protection against stroke, dementia, and depression. The findings appear in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
In a study of 350 volunteers from the British Biobank, the largest repository of human biological samples, scientists examined lifestyle and health characteristics. They found that a dozen factors were associated with lower risks of stroke, dementia, and depression.
Four of the factors focus on physical health: keeping blood pressure and body weight within normal ranges, and ensuring blood sugar and cholesterol levels are optimal. The remaining eight relate to lifestyle and behavior, including quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, getting sufficient sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and exercising regularly. The researchers also highlighted emotional and social components as important for brain health; these include lower stress levels, having a sense of purpose, and meeting communication needs.
The team introduced a Brain Care Score to quantify brain health based on these 12 factors. Over a 13-year period, gaining an extra five points on this score correlated with a 33% lower risk of depression in later life and a 27% lower risk of stroke, depression, and dementia, according to the researchers.
Earlier discussions explored ways to reduce the risk of developing depression after age 70.