BOSTON, MASS.—Environmental factors are key drivers in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, according to the authors of a new report, Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, released today. The scientific analysis in the report draws attention to several specific environmental risk factors in the development of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. They include, among others:
• Lead—Recent evidence links environmental lead exposure in the community to increased risk of cognitive impairment. Several animal studies suggest that exposures in infancy and childhood may sharply increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease decades later. Evidence also implicates lead in increasing risk for Parkinson’s disease as well.
• Air pollution—Recent studies show that air pollution is harmful to the brain, in addition to the lungs, heart, nose, and blood vessels.
• Pesticides—Evidence links exposure to a variety of pesticides with increased risks for Parkinson’s disease. Evidence also links chronic low dose exposure to a number of pesticides—primarily in the work setting—with subsequent cognitive decline, such as impaired memory and attention.
• Dietary risk factors—Diet and nutrition are emerging as critical factors in brain health and health in general. Several studies have shown that higher saturated fat intake increases the risk of dementia by two to three times.
• Physical Activity—Exercise is linked to substantial reductions in the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The report authors provide recommendations so that individuals, families, communities, and societies can take action at all levels and move towards healthy living and healthy aging. With the future increase in population will come a dramatic escalation of chronic diseases unless steps are taken now to reduce the risks. Among these recommendations are:
• Increase sustainable, diversified, and local alternatives to industrial farming—to improve the nutritional value of food, cut down on harmful content, ensure access to healthy food, and lessen serious damage to the environment.
• Regulatory reform of chemical policy that helps prevent hazardous toxic exposures from air, water, food, and other consumer products; business policy changes that give preference to purchasing and using products made of safer chemicals.
• Healthcare policy changes that increase the focus on disease prevention and ensure equitable and accessible healthcare for all.
• An energy policy that reduces toxic emissions, promotes conservation and efficiency, curtails dependence on fossil fuels, and encourages more physical activity.
The full report, Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, is published jointly by Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Science and Environmental Health Network and is available online at: www.agehealthy.org.
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