Older people have an increased risk of diabetes because the body's ability to make insulin decreases with age. Race, family history, obesity and inactivity also increase risk. In 2010 10% of Americans have diabetes, but 25% of them don't know. If the present trend continues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts 33% of Americans will have diabetes by 2050. However, a clinical trial showed high-risk people who went through the CDC's prevention program reduced their risk 58%. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. - but it doesn't have to be a "lost cause".
In fact, the Mediterranean Diet may reduce diabetes risk. A study published in the journal Diabetes Care randomly put 418 adults ages 55-80 on 1 of 3 diets: a Mediterranean diet emphasizing olive oil as the source of unsaturated fat, a Mediterranean diet emphasizing nuts as the source of unsaturated fat and a low-fat diet. After 4 years and adjusting for variables such as weight, smoking and exercise, the Mediterranean diets were linked to a 52% decrease in diabetes risk. Although participants didn't have to limit calories or increase exercise, both are recommended. The Mediterranean Diet works - but it doesn't work miracles.
Walking doesn't work miracles, but it helps the brain. A study published in the journal Neurology tracked the physical activity of older adults for 9 years. The study found that those who walked at least 6 miles a week protected their brain. Brains naturally shrink with age, but the gray matter - the part of the brain that holds the nerve cell bodies responsible for such things as memory, speech and emotion - shrank at a slower rate among the walkers. Brain shrinkage can lead to absentmindedness and dementia later in life. However, 6 miles a week is a "walkway" to improved memory.
However, heavy smoking in midlife increases the risk of Alzheimer's. From 1994 to 2008 a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine evaluated records of 21,123 men and women in midlife and followed them for an average of 23 years. Compared to non-smokers, those who had smoked 2 packs a day increased their Alzheimer's risk 157%. They increased their vascular dementia risk 172%. Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's. According to the researchers, smokers have increased inflammation and inflammation plays a role in dementia - further evidence that smokers aren't "role models".
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