New Study Shows Processed Meat Linked To Dementia Increase, Doctor Advice On Reducing The Risk

A new study finds eating just two servings of processed meat per week can increase your risk of dementia by 14 percent.

Dr. Laura Garrett joined Tess Maune on News On 6 at 8 to discuss what we can all do to help decrease our risk.

Tess: When we say processed meats, what types are we talking about?

Garrett: I think the thing to think about is the more we prepare something to last a long time, the more that it is processed, then probably the worse it is for us. So, the closer you are to the farmers, so to speak, probably the more healthy it is.

Tess: OK, so bacon is one of those things that's on the list of processed meats, right? And hot dogs?

Garrett: Yeah. Think about those shelf space things that you can get, the meats that are long lasting, and they probably have been processed so that they are long lasting.

Tess: So, is this something that we should eliminate from our diets completely? Is it OK to have every now and then? What's that look like?

Garrett: I never like to say eliminate because we're just not compliant when we do that. There's times when you're out somewhere and a hot dog makes sense. It's just culturally fun but the less we can do of that, the better off we are.

Tess: What about other processed foods? Is it best to just kind of try to scale back on those altogether?

Garrett: I think the more we can, the better. Convenience is such a part of our lives that we have to be careful that we can also feed ourselves when it comes to those kinds of things. So the more natural, the better.

Tess: What are some foods that we should be eating, the good foods we should be eating that can help reduce our risk for Alzheimer's and dementia?

Garrett: Fruits, vegetables, those green leafy things are obviously the best for us, but also, I think you have to balance things out. Variety is a good idea. And of course, again, we want to make sure that you're actually going to follow the diet, so to speak. So, I always think the more restricted we are with our foods, the less likely we are to stick to our diet.

Tess: That is true. How much do genetics play into Alzheimer's? I come from a family with several women who have had Alzheimer's, including both of my grandmothers. Does that mean that I'm at a higher risk than someone else who maybe doesn't have that in their genetics? It's a really good question.

Garrett: It's a really good question, but the key is when did the Alzheimer's occur in your family's life? So, what we call young Alzheimer's, which is 40s and 50s, has a large genetic link to it. When we get older, 80s and 90s, the biggest correlate is age. So, a lot of times we see families who have Alzheimer's in their family because they are healthy, so to speak. So, don't have a lot of risk for cancer, don't have a lot of risk for heart disease, and as a result, you know, the older we get, the less likely Alzheimer's is going to stay out of your family. But there's so many things to do to help you restrict the likelihood that you're going to develop the disease.

Tess: What are some of those things? Because you can exercise, I'm assuming, and exercising your brain as well?

Garrett: That's huge. And we don't talk that much about it, you know, I tried to learn a language not too long ago. Tried to pick up one of the apps and learn Spanish. I'm not very good at it, but the act of trying to learn the new language is a great idea. Same thing with something like pickleball, you know, something you've never played before, to learn the rules and how to move your body. They're really working your brain at the same time.

You can see Dr. Garrett and many others at the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Dream Keeper's Park in Tulsa.

The ceremony starts at 9 a.m., followed by the walk.

For more information, visit their website.