Dementia expert warns nearly half of cases could be prevented by three lifestyle changes

A leading dementia expert has shared three things people can do to try to reduce their risk of developing the disease.

Professor Catherine Mummery appeared on This Morning, where she explained that around 45 percent of dementia cases could potentially be preventable if you're able to implement several lifestyle changes.

One in three people living today is expected to be diagnosed with dementia at some point in their lives; only a third of people currently living with the illness have an official diagnosis (via The Alzheimer's Society).

It comes just days after Britain's youngest dementia patient tragically died of the disease at the age of just 24, two years after receiving his diagnosis.

While there are several different causes of dementia, viewers were shocked to learn that the first step we should be taking to keep track of our risk factors is checking our blood pressure.

You can reduce your risk of developing dementia (Getty Stock Images)

"45 percent of dementia is preventable if you modify your risk factors," Professor Mummery explained. "And what I mean by that is especially when you’re talking about vascular dementia, a lot of the problems that lead to that are related to problems with your blood vessels, and that, so, what’s good for your heart, is good for your brain."

According to the NHS, vascular dementia is a common type of the disease and is 'caused by reduced blood flow to the brain'.

She continued: "So your blood pressure, your cholesterol, if you’ve got diabetes, if you smoke, those things are all bad for your heart and bad for your brain.

"So all of those things you can manage better will reduce your risk, especially in vascular dementia. But then there are other things that significantly reduce risk."

What exactly does this mean, in terms of making changes then? Professor Mummery went on to explain that exercise, mental exercise and a healthy diet are key to potentially avoiding certain types of dementia.

"So, exercise, making sure that you get regular physical exercise three times a week, get out of breath. That’s a good plan," she explained.

"Second thing is mental exercise - doesn’t have to be a brain game. It can be anything that you really enjoy that stretches you, that makes you feel like you’re doing something new. Whatever works for you, it can be many different things."

Professor Catherine Mummery expressed the importance of these three things (ITV)

And last, but certainly not least important, the health expert explained the importance of a healthy diet, containing 'vegetables, lots of fresh food', while avoiding 'processed stuff and too much sugar'.

"And those things together will really help in terms of trying to reduce that risk of you getting any form of dementia, not just vascular dementia," she concluded.

Some of the other ways to help reduce the risk of dementia, according to The Alzheimer's Society, are to cut down on alcohol consumption, smoking, and manage long-term health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

If you've been affected by dementia or Alzheimer's and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact the Alzheimer’s Society via 0333 150 3456 or visit their website for more information.