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                    Study: Exercise Lowers Risk of Dementia

   by VOA News

   Exercise can significantly lower the risk of dementia, according to a
   study of 2,235 men over a 35-year period.
   The research, which was done at [1]Cardiff University, is the longest
   of its kind to "probe the influence of environmental factors in chronic
   disease."
   But exercise alone is not enough.
   The study identified five healthy behaviors as being integral to having
   the best chance of leading a disease-free lifestyle: regular exercise,
   non-smoking, a low body weight, a healthy diet, and a low alcohol
   intake.
   Following four of the five behaviors led to a 60 percent decline in
   dementia and cognitive decline - with exercise being the strongest
   mitigating factor - as well as 70 percent fewer instances of diabetes,
   heart disease and stroke, compared with people who followed none.
   "The size of reduction in the instance of disease owing to these simple
   healthy steps has really amazed us and is of enormous importance in an
   aging population," said Peter Elwood from Cardiff University's School
   of Medicine. "What the research shows is that following a healthy
   lifestyle confers surprisingly large benefits to health - healthy
   behaviors have a far more beneficial effect than any medical treatment
   or preventative procedure."
   Elwood added that the study revealed few people follow a fully healthy
   lifestyle.
   "Our findings reveal that while the number of people who smoke has gone
   down since the study started, the number of people leading a fully
   healthy lifestyle has not changed," he added.
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   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/exercise-lowers-risk-of-dementia/1807
   689.html

References

   1. http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/articles/healthy-habits-reduce-dementia-risk-12191.html?utm_source=cu-home&utm_medium=slide&utm_campaign=news
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/exercise-lowers-risk-of-dementia/1807689.html