Alzheimer's disease risk low for people living in rural areas: Study
| Jun 26, 2019, 12:01 IST
A new study has found people who live in rural areas are less likely to developAlzheimer's disease.
For the study, researchers conducted a survey on close to 260,000 adults over the age of 45 in New South Wales, Australia. Data from the survey revealed people living in remote areas had a6 per cent to 19 per cent reduced risk of developing the condition compared to those people that live in the city.
Researchers believe air pollution is not the only reason many city dwellers are more likely to develop Alzheimer's. "The problem isn’t just the stuff in the air you can see. The tiny particles you can’t see are the most harmful. Once you breathe them in, they can enter the bloodstream and travel to every major organ, including the brain," authors of the study stated in a news portal.
If this is true, we need to find methods to reduce abnormal accumulation of amyloid beta to prevent the condition. One study claims sleep may help get rid of amyloid beta. Meanwhile, other studies have found being social and exercising on a regular basis may help keep the brain disorder at bay. It may not be as easy to get enough sleep, exercise and social interaction for those living in urban areas. However, urban planning can influence how many people make exercise a regular activity.
Nature can have a huge impact on our health. Researchers have also found people living close to green spaces in Spain, Scotland and England, have better cognition. "But no matter whether you live in the country or city, try to make use of whatever green spaces you have around you," suggest researchers.
For the study, researchers conducted a survey on close to 260,000 adults over the age of 45 in New South Wales, Australia. Data from the survey revealed people living in remote areas had a6 per cent to 19 per cent reduced risk of developing the condition compared to those people that live in the city.
Researchers believe air pollution is not the only reason many city dwellers are more likely to develop Alzheimer's. "The problem isn’t just the stuff in the air you can see. The tiny particles you can’t see are the most harmful. Once you breathe them in, they can enter the bloodstream and travel to every major organ, including the brain," authors of the study stated in a news portal.
If this is true, we need to find methods to reduce abnormal accumulation of amyloid beta to prevent the condition. One study claims sleep may help get rid of amyloid beta. Meanwhile, other studies have found being social and exercising on a regular basis may help keep the brain disorder at bay. It may not be as easy to get enough sleep, exercise and social interaction for those living in urban areas. However, urban planning can influence how many people make exercise a regular activity.
Nature can have a huge impact on our health. Researchers have also found people living close to green spaces in Spain, Scotland and England, have better cognition. "But no matter whether you live in the country or city, try to make use of whatever green spaces you have around you," suggest researchers.