Dementia, an evil that scares everyone

Dementia is a real and increasingly alarming risk. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) released in May this year more than 50 million people worldwide live with dementia, and each year are registered almost ten million new cases. These are alarming numbers but can be reduced with due care.

To prevent and prevent this disease, WHO recommends regular aerobic exercise and adoption of the Mediterranean diet - based on high intakes of whole grains, fruits, fish, vegetables and olive oil, among other measures,"   says the geriatrician and nutrologist Yara Dantas.

There are over 100 forms of dementia and the most common and Alzheimer's, accounting for 60% to 70% of cases. Women are most often affected. "Several studies point out that people with a more active life have less risk. According to WHO, adults 65 and older should practice at least 150 minutes of aerobic activities of moderate intensity per week, "says Yara Dantas.

In Brazil, according to data from the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, 55,000 new cases of dementias are registered each year. Currently, 1.4 million Brazilians live with the disease - and, if not taken, this number is expected to reach more than six million by 2050.