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Quit Smoking, Cut Dementia Risk
1 Jun
Summary
- Quitting smoking significantly lowers dementia risk compared to continued smoking.
- Dementia risk declines progressively the longer one remains smoke-free.
- Benefits of quitting smoking appear strongest with little or no weight gain.
Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life. A comprehensive 25-year study analyzing data from over 32,000 adults found that former smokers had a considerably lower risk of dementia compared to those who continued smoking.
The research, published in Neurology, indicated that the benefits of cessation were continuous. The longer individuals remained smoke-free, the more their dementia risk declined. After approximately seven years of not smoking, the risk approached that of individuals who had never smoked.
Experts note that smoking contributes to inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular damage, all linked to cognitive decline. While quitting at any stage offers brain benefits, the study suggests that the positive effects are amplified when coupled with stable weight. This reinforces the message that it is rarely too late to quit, with the body and brain beginning to recover shortly after cessation.
