More than just a sunny disposition could reduce the risk of dementia.
More than 6 million Americans suffer from dementia, a number expected to double by 2060 as the population ages and cases of diseases such as obesity linked to cognitive decline increase.
Several lifestyle choices, like exercising, avoiding smoking, and listening to music, can all reduce the risk of dementia, along with an incredibly simple habit you may already be adopting.
A study published in General Psychiatry suggests that not getting enough sunlight could disrupt brain function as we age — but getting even a little sunshine has benefits.
Researchers tracked the daylight exposure of nearly 90,000 participants without dementia for a week, then compared the results over eight years with those of participants who developed dementia.
Those who received about 42 minutes of daylight per day were about 17% less likely to develop dementia than people who received less sunlight.
The link remained even after researchers took into account factors that affect dementia risks, such as diet, obesity, physical activity and heart health.
The effect of light on the brain may be due to our circadian rhythm, which is activated when light enters the eyes and maintains the body’s sleep-wake cycles, supports immune function, fights inflammation and much more.
When we get more restful sleep, the brain can undergo necessary cellular maintenance and eliminate metabolic waste, an essential step in reducing the risk of cognitive problems in the future.
And according to a psychologist, sunlight isn’t the only type of light that affects brain health.
“We are beginning to recognize that our brains and bodies are profoundly influenced by environmental cues, including light, that regulate fundamental biological processes,” board-certified neurologist David Perlmutter, who was not involved in the study, told Prevention.
Beyond the sun, we’re exposed to all kinds of light, from waking up at sunrise to the blue light emitted by the screens of our phones and laptops.
And while healthy habits like stress management and social connections help maintain cognitive abilities as we age, Perlmutter says natural light should be part of the dementia conversation.
The study also found that the link between daytime light and reduced dementia risk was even stronger in people with the APOE4 gene variant – which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease – a “particularly fascinating finding,” according to Perlmutter.
“Our genes influence our susceptibility, but our daily choices and environmental exposures can profoundly influence how that susceptibility manifests,” he added.
A number of health experts – and biohackers – swear by early morning sun exposure for its various health benefits.
Researchers in Central Europe published a study earlier this year, revealing that constant exposure to natural light led to “more stable blood sugar levels and an overall improvement” in the metabolic profile of the 13 volunteers who participated in their study.
If it’s difficult to get sunlight during the darkest days of winter, a light therapy lamp may do the trick to mimic sunlight, although there is no research on whether it can prevent dementia.
Gn Health
