The velocity of blood flowing through a person’s carotid artery can serve as an indicator to determine whether the person is under risk of developing dementia, according to a study conducted by a research team at Academia Sinica.
The results were announced on Saturday by Academia Sinica Institute of Biomedical Science research fellow Pan Wen-harn (潘文涵) at the 42nd annual conference of the Nutrition Society of Taiwan.
The study and follow-up analysis looked into the general wellbeing, lifestyles and dietary habits of about 3,000 subjects over a period of 15 years, Pan said.
Pan said the study showed that people with slow blood flow in their carotid artery might have a higher risk of developing dementia, adding that a possible explanation is that blood carries oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, so when the brains lack sufficient blood, the risk of dementia increases.
Carotid ultrasound tests are usually used to determine whether a person has arteriosclerosis or if plaque is building up inside the arteries, while the velocity of blood flow is neglected, she said.
The risk factors of dementia are age, genetic heritage, lifestyle, dietary habits, stress, sleeping disorders, smoking and head injury, Pan said, adding that preventive measures include avoiding unhealthy lifestyles and dietary habits.
The study also showed that consuming fish, nuts, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, eggs, shrimps, clams, coffee and moderate amounts of alcohol can help protect the cognitive functions of the brain and prevent Alzheimer’s disease, she said.
Pan said that people who drink at least one cup of tea every day without sugar or milk were found to have an about 20 percent lower risk of developing dementia than those who do not drink tea, but more research is needed to identify the type of tea and the level of consumption for it to be effective.
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