Have you received the shingles vaccine yet? A new Ontario-based study finds that shingles vaccine may prevent or delay the onset of dementia. A researcher at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. and Stanford University in California recently published their findings. lancet neurology Research and comparison of health data for more than 230,000 older adults born in Ontario.

The study focused on data from two groups of people in Ontario.September 2016 Shingles Vaccination Program for seniors aged 65 to 70. When the program was announced on September 15, 2016, only older adults born in 1945 were eligible to be vaccinated, to ensure that those nearing the age limit (the first group) were able to get vaccinated. Starting December 31, 2016, the campaign began accessing eligible Ontarians between the ages of 65 and 70 (group 2), with those born in 1945 deemed ineligible.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified health professional before engaging in any physical activity or making any changes to your diet, medications, or lifestyle.

Over a 5.5-year period, those born after January 1, 1946 were 2% less likely to be newly diagnosed with dementia than the group of older adults born in 1945 who did not receive the free vaccine by December 31, 2016.

“Our study suggests that there may be benefits to getting vaccinated before mild cognitive impairment develops, but there may also be benefits to getting vaccinated in later stages of dementia,” he said. “It seems to really work across the entire dementia disease process,” lead researcher Pascal Gersetzer of Stanford University said in an interview. CTV News. “We see that the probability of dying from dementia is significantly reduced among people who already had dementia at the time of vaccination.”

This study calls for further research into the relationship between the shingles vaccine and dementia.

If you want to learn more about dementia, including who is at risk and how it affects your chances of developing dementia, keep reading.

What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for more than 50 disorders that, like Alzheimer’s disease, affect cognitive functions such as memory, thinking, and reasoning.

What causes dementia?

Dementia is caused by a variety of diseases and injuries that primarily or secondarily affect the brain. Brain injuries and certain infections and diseases, such as Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, can affect the way brain cells function and communicate with each other.

Types of dementia vary depending on which areas of the brain are affected and cause different symptoms.

Who is at risk of developing dementia?

Although research into the exact causes of dementia is ongoing, the biggest risk factor for developing some form of dementia is age. According to Alzheimer’s Society of CanadaAfter age 60, the risk of dementia doubles every five years. Approximately one in four people over the age of 85 has been diagnosed with some form of dementia. Women are also more susceptible to dementia than men To hormone-chanThings like the rapid drop in estrogen that occur during menopause can contribute to the aging process. Neuroinflammatory processes that can cause cell death.

What can I do to lower my risk of dementia?

The good news is that there are some modifiable risk factors that can help protect your brain health. Read on to find out what small steps you can take (besides getting the shingles vaccine) that can have a big impact on your overall health.

👟 Let’s move

It’s never too late to exercise. According to research, Increased amount of exercise Cerebral blood flow to the brain increases, supporting the production of new neurons (neurogenesis) and expanding the hippocampus (the part of the brain responsible for memory), which is significantly smaller in people with dementia. It has been reported that people exercise later in life (over 66 years of age). Reduces risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 45 percent, According to a 2025 study.

🩸 Please do a blood test

A thorough physical exam, including blood tests, can help determine if you have a vitamin deficiency that you should be aware of. researchers are investigating Relationship between cognitive decline and vitamin deficiencies, especially B1 (thiamin), B6 ​​(pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin) Vitamin D.

Regular blood tests can also help identify other potential health problems and allow your doctor to create a plan or supplements to address nutritional deficiencies.

🗣️ Stay Social

Research shows that staying socially active with friends and family can delay the onset of dementia. By about 5 years. Volunteering, living together, joining a book club, and even making impromptu small talk in public can all have a positive impact on your brain health.

🦻 Protect your hearing

Research shows that our senses are essential to brain health. According to research, Even mild middle-aged hearing loss It can double the risk of dementia more than any other factor and contributes to social isolation, another dementia risk factor. Not only protect your hearing in noisy environments, but also address hearing problems. Hearing aids ensure you stay connected.

👁️Get an eye exam

Similar to hearing, research has also shown a link between vision loss and dementia, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which are caused by damage to blood vessels. Cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are all vision problems that should be addressed by a specialist. Research suggests a connection The relationship between cataract extraction and reduced dementia risk.

Like hearing loss, vision loss can lead to increased social isolation and increase the risk of: Dementia reduced by 50% compared to those who have not lost their vision.

🧩 Boost your brain with puzzles

Word puzzles like crosswords Delay the onset of accelerated memory decline More than 2 years ago. anotherchudy is people People who completed word or number puzzles, such as Sudoku, at least once a month performed better on cognitive tests in the areas of grammatical reasoning (word puzzles) and executive function tasks such as organization and planning (number puzzles).

💤 Deal with sleep problems

According to Health Canada, 50 per cent of Canadians have a problem To fall or fall asleep. Additionally, one in five people do not experience restorative sleep and feel tired and unrefreshed when they wake up in the morning, and one in three people report feeling so tired that it is difficult to stay awake during the day.

This generally has a negative impact on health, and poor sleep quality is thought to be associated with poorer cognitive function. According to one study, people Ages 50 to 70 who sleep less than 6 hours a night They were 30 percent more likely to develop dementia.

Addressing the underlying health issues that cause sleep problems, such as sleep apnea and stress, and developing healthy sleep habits by reducing screen time, reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, practicing meditation, and exercising during the day can all help improve the quality of your sleep.

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