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Experts Warn Alzheimer’s Risk Increases by 40% Due to Loneliness
Experts emphasize that regular exercise, healthy nutrition, and social life are crucial in protecting against Alzheimer’s. Feeling lonely can increase the risk by about 40%.
At the Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Prevention panel held in Edirne, experts highlighted that lifestyle habits play a decisive role in protecting against the disease. They emphasized that regular exercise, healthy nutrition, and social life support brain health.
Speaking at the panel, Tatlıdede stated that obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance are significant risk factors for Alzheimer’s. He also pointed out that feelings of loneliness are a serious factor, increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s by approximately 40%.
Lifestyle Protects the Brain
Tatlıdede explained that healthy aging largely depends on individuals’ daily choices. He noted that socializing, acquiring new skills, and keeping the mind active have protective effects.
He added that activities such as endurance exercises, coordination training, learning a new language, dancing, or playing a musical instrument strengthen the brain. Progressing in areas of interest, traveling, listening to music, and using technology also support mental activities.
Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Function
Prof. Dr. Burcu Ersöz Hüseyinsinoğlu, a board member of the Turkey Alzheimer Association Marmara Branch, said that healthy muscle structure is directly linked to healthy mental function. She stated that regular physical activity can reduce both hospital visits and the need for medication.
Hüseyinsinoğlu noted that an active lifestyle lowers the risk of many systemic diseases as well as Alzheimer-type dementia. This highlighted the message that physical movement is important not only for body health but also for brain health.
Increasing Elderly Population Raises Risk
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Tüfekçioğlu Korkmaz, Vice President of the Turkey Alzheimer Association Marmara Branch, said that the elderly population in Turkey is increasing, which is expected to lead to a rise in Alzheimer’s cases. She noted that about 10% of Turkey’s population is aged 65 and over.
Korkmaz emphasized that age is one of the most important risk factors for Alzheimer’s but clarified that this does not mean every elderly person will develop the disease. While the risk increases with age, lifestyle can play a protective role, which was a key message of the panel.
She also mentioned that some drugs used in the early stages of Alzheimer’s are expected to become available in Turkey soon. These intravenous treatments slow the progression of the disease by about 30%.
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