SUBSCRIBE
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

A stimulating job could delay dementia, says report

by Staff Reporter
1st September 2021
in Trending
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Dementia onset can be postponed with a mentally stimulating job.

Mental stimulation at work could be important in postponing the onset of dementia later in life. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

People who have worked in mentally stimulating fields may have a significantly reduced risk of developing dementia in later life. Staying physically fit can also help to fend off debilitating conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Even getting active at the age of 60 and above has been found to help with cognitive performance.

Dementia research: Epidemiologist Mika Kivimäki. Photo: University College of London
Epidemiologist Mika Kivimäki. Photo: Supplied/University College of London

Every year, around 10 million people are diagnosed with dementia and, worldwide, around 50 million people are living with this debilitating condition. Globally, it is one of the biggest causes of disability among older people. As life expectancy increases, particularly in medium- and low-income economies, the incidence of dementia increases, too.

Symptoms include failing memory, problems with emotional control and a general deterioration in cognitive performance, behaviour and the ability to carry out everyday activities.

Typically triggered by illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease or strokes, dementia is far more prevalent in older people, but is not considered a normal part of the ageing process.

Active minds

There may also be a link between the way you spent your working life and your risk of developing dementia as you get older.

A study led by epidemiologist Mika Kivimäki of the UK’s University College London, examined data from 107 896 participants to assess whether people with more intellectually stimulating jobs face a lower dementia risk than those working in less cognitively demanding roles. Their report, Cognitive stimulation in the workplace, plasma proteins, and risk of dementia: three analyses of population cohort studies, was published in the British Medical Journal.

It concludes that the risk of dementia in old age was: “Lower in individuals with cognitively stimulating jobs than in those with non-stimulating jobs.” While it won’t necessarily prevent dementia, mental stimulation may delay its onset by around a year and a half, the report says.

One possible explanation seems to be that lower levels of plasma proteins were found in samples taken from study participants who performed more cognitively stimulating activities. These proteins may inhibit the development of healthy brain function.

Active bodies

Other recent studies have highlighted the importance of physical fitness, too.

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have studied data from more than 30 000 people, looking at their changing fitness levels.

Their findings indicate that people who stayed fit throughout the duration of the study period were around 50% less likely to develop dementia than those who were the least fit. The really good news is that those who started out unfit and then became fitter over time saw the same levels of risk decline.

Large study linked mentally stimulating jobs to
–lower levels of proteins that prevent brain cells forming new connections and
–a lower risk of #dementia in old age.
Mental stimulation may postpone dementia onset by ~1.5y @bmj_latest #Alzheimers

https://t.co/ZCwbyHsKHE

— Mika Kivimaki (@MikaKivimaki) August 19, 2021

A separate study in Canada took three groups of sedentary ‘older adults’, then watched what happened when they exercised. A control group did stretching. Another group did moderate continuous exercise, while the third did high-intensity interval training.

Through a series of memory tests, the researchers from the McMaster University in Ontario found those who exercised more had improved cognitive performance – indicating that it is never too late to get active and accrue some benefits.

This article was written for and first published by the World Economic Forum and has been republished under a creative commons license. Click here to read the original article.

ALSO READ: This is how your metabolism changes as you get older

Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter

Related Articles

Rooibos
Trending

Hey brew! Gen Z and Millennials fuel rooibos tea trend in SA

by Ivor Price
16th May 2025
Buthelezi EMS
Trending

‘Unlawful’ contracts: FS ambulance firms must pay back the money

by Marcus Low and Tamsin Metelerkamp
15th May 2025

Stories

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites
Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics
Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy
Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen
No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches
How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth
Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing
Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers
No Result
View All Result

Latest

Rooibos
Trending

Hey brew! Gen Z and Millennials fuel rooibos tea trend in SA

by Ivor Price
16th May 2025

Mzansi's younger generations just love rooibos! From traditional brews to innovative energy drinks, rooibos is the caffeine-free champion capturing the...

Read moreDetails
Buthelezi EMS

‘Unlawful’ contracts: FS ambulance firms must pay back the money

15th May 2025
Top winter crops to plant now in Mzansi

Top winter crops to plant now in Mzansi

15th May 2025
Immune booster

Boost your body with homemade immune shots

13th May 2025
Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

12th May 2025
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Awards & Impact
Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy
Copyright

Somagwaza

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites

cropped-scott-webb-yekGLpc3vro-unsplash.jpeg

Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics

Dr Sinethemba Makanya

Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy

Hey brew! Gen Z and Millennials fuel rooibos tea trend in SA

‘Unlawful’ contracts: FS ambulance firms must pay back the money

Top winter crops to plant now in Mzansi

Boost your body with homemade immune shots

Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers