Reduce your risk of dementia
There is no cure for dementia which is why it is so important to keep your brain healthy.
You can reduce the risk of developing dementia and keep your brain healthy by, for example:
Alzheimer’s UK recommend doing regular aerobic exercises like running, swimming, or cycling, as the best way to prevent dementia.
You can also reduce your risk by making better lifestyle choices, for example:
The toxins in cigarette smoke have an inflammatory effect that likely contributes to a person’s risk of developing dementia
Over long periods of time, heavy alcohol use can lead to brain damage.
Limiting your alcohol intake to 14 units per week for men and women is recommended, as is avoiding binge drinking.
Keeping your brain active can help prevent dementia.
This is because we develop a greater number of connections in our brain when we learn. For example, when we do puzzles, crosswords, or learn a new skill.
Avoiding diabetes and maintaining a healthy body weight can help reduce your risk of developing dementia and other health problems.
Alzheimer’s Society has more information about managing your risk of dementia
NHS health check
The NHS health check is a free check-up of your overall health.
It can tell you if you are at higher risk of getting certain conditions such as:
During your check-up, you will talk about how you can reduce your risk of developing these conditions.
Find out more about the free health check
If you are aged over 65 years, you will also be told about the symptoms of dementia to look out for.
More tips on how to reduce your risk of dementia
Find more information about how to reduce your risk of dementia from Alzheimer's Research UK
Page last updated: 18 January 2024
