Common condition raises your risk of dementia by 66%
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- A new study from Sweden found that anemia, affecting 10% of US adults over 65, is associated with a 66% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those with normal hemoglobin levels.
- Anemia was linked to blood biomarkers related to Alzheimer’s disease, such as phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217), suggesting a potential connection between low hemoglobin and neurodegeneration.
- The brain’s reduced oxygen supply due to anemia may cause oxidative stress, neuron loss, inflammation, and decreased toxin removal, potentially increasing vulnerability to cognitive decline.
- Unlike many dementia risk factors, anemia is mostly treatable through dietary changes, iron intake, and monitoring blood loss, prompting experts to consider more proactive anemia management in older adults.
- Further research is needed to confirm whether treating anemia can reduce dementia risk, and experts advise against self-medicating with iron supplements without medical guidance.
