Published guidelines for the first time: What WHO recommends for the prevention of dementia

Anyone who moves more and stops smoking can thus also prevent dementia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published guidelines for the first time, including a link between overweight, diabetes and hypertension with dementia. WHO and other health actors advise WHO to counteract these issues.

According to the WHO, around 50 million people currently live with Alzheimer's disease or another

, In Germany, about 1.7 million people are affected. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus estimates the number is set to triple over the next 30 years. "We must do everything we can to reduce our risk of dementia," said the scientist. There is a simple formula for this: what is good for the heart is good for the brain as well.

No vaccines or remedies

"A physically active lifestyle is associated with the health of the brain," says the new guidelines. Large studies have shown that physically active people are less likely to get diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's. "Physical activity seems to have a beneficial effect on the structure of the brain." In addition, enough exercise was also good for hypertension - and that was also a risk factor for dementia.

Dementia summarizes various forms of illness in which the intellectual capacity decreases very much. By far the most affected have Alzheimer's. Sufferers lose mental abilities and change their personality within years. Alzheimer's usually leads to helplessness and severe neediness - both psychologically and physically. Many sufferers no longer recognize their relatives, some become aggressive. There is neither a preventive vaccine nor a cure for Alzheimer's. The more crucial is the prevention of the disease.

Cognitive training and sports instead of dietary supplements

The WHO recommends not only a lot of exercise and non-smoking but also a healthy and balanced diet for the prevention of dementia. Also cognitive training for older adults could help. Similarly, measures are recommended against obesity, especially in middle age, as well as against dangerous and harmful alcohol consumption.

The WHO, however, sees no benefit in the intake of vitamin B and E and other dietary supplements. These funds should no longer be advertised for dementia prevention, WHO says.

However, the biggest risk of contracting is still age. Before the age of 65, only a few are affected; among the 85- to 89-year-olds, one in four suffers from dementia, according to the German Alzheimer's Association.