Chema González, neurologist, on preventing dementia on a day-to-day basis: "It's possible in 45% of cases; no drug comes close to that percentage."

Dementia is one of the neurodegenerative diseases of greatest concern to society, affecting the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. However, neurologist Chema González has used his social media to share excellent news: a significant portion of dementia could be preventable. Based on recent publications in the prestigious journal The Lancet , the expert emphasizes that 45% of dementia cases could be prevented by modifying risk factors in our daily lives.

González, known for his focus on neuroprevention, has invited his followers to reflect on a fundamental question: "How much money do we spend on drugs and how much money do we spend on all this stuff we're going to talk about?" The answer suggests a paradigm shift, investing in healthy habits that, in the long run, turn out to be the best medicine.

Education is emerging as a fundamental pillar in the prevention of dementia. According to González, a low educational level can contribute up to 5% to the future risk of developing the disease. "Brains with a high level of education, which are more trained, and which have more powerful and efficient neurons, are more resistant to cognitive decline," explains the neurologist.

As we move into the middle stages of life, the focus broadens to other crucial factors. Hearing loss , for example, accounts for 7% of the risk. Hearing is vital for communication, social interaction, and reflection, key aspects of maintaining brain activity. "It greatly interferes with the ability to communicate, to fully understand what is being said, and to reflect with another person," González points out.

A notable development in the latest research, incorporated in 2024, is the importance of elevated LDL cholesterol (known as "bad cholesterol"). This critical cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factor promotes the formation of plaques in arteries that compromise cerebral circulation, causing vascular lesions.

Mental health also plays a significant role. Depression , for example, contributes 3% to the risk of dementia. "Anxiety-depressive disorders, in the long run, end up damaging the brain," warns González. Likewise, traumatic brain injuries , whether repeated (such as in contact sports) or high-intensity, contribute up to 3%. "The brain can be damaged by impacts, just like any other organ," he states.

Physical inactivity is another major enemy. A sedentary lifestyle, which contributes 2% to the risk, is "terribly toxic for our entire body, not just our brain," says the neurologist. It not only has a direct impact, but also influences other risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. González is emphatic. "Human beings are made to move... physical exercise is another biological necessity, just like sleeping, eating, and drinking," he adds.

Diabetes and hypertension , each contributing 2%, damage our organs and blood vessels due to the toxic effects of high glucose and uncontrolled blood pressure. Obesity , although more complex, is a "multifactorial risk factor... that consistently appears as a risk factor in almost every disease we study."

We can't forget toxic substances: tobacco contributes 2% and alcohol 1% to the risk. These habits, although obvious, are often underestimated in their long-term impact on the brain.

Furthermore, González highlights two factors recently incorporated into research: air pollution , with a 3% contribution, and vision loss , with 2%. In a world where toxins in the air are increasingly abundant, pollution is emerging as a growing risk. Regarding sight, like hearing, "the primary senses help us perceive information from our environment, capture it, process it, and, therefore, think, reflect on it, and interact with our environment."

In total, these modifiable factors, which depend directly on us, represent almost half of the risk of dementia. The other 55% corresponds to non-modifiable factors such as age or genetics. Neurologist Chema González's conclusion is clear and forceful. "This is the power of modifiable risk factors in neuroprevention... Absolutely brutal!" he concludes.