ORLANDO, Fla. – There are over 10 million new cases of dementia each year worldwide, meaning one new case every 3.2 seconds. According to studies, cases of dementia will continue to rise. But, can a vaccine be the key to reducing the risk?
It’s silent and affects your brain.
“Dementia is a very devastating disease,” said Jason Littleton, MD, physician & CEO of Littleton Concierge Medicine.
The CDC estimates it affects 6.7 million Americans. NIH says 100,000 of them die every year. But a new study has shown that a shingles vaccine may reduce dementia risk. Those who received it were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years. According to Harvard Health, the vaccine may lower dementia risk by reducing inflammation, especially in the nervous system and altering immune function in a way that protects against dementia. But Dr. Littleton says not to jump to conclusions …
“I think the way to still look at it is, you know, yeah, you should get your shingles vaccine,” he told Ivanhoe.
Dr. Littleton says the best way to reduce dementia is to go back to basics and see it as a potential bonus when taking the shingles vaccine.
“Meet with your doctor, meet with a neurologist, you can even take risk assessments. You wanna do everything that you can to make sure that you’re healthy, cognitively healthy and staying active,” he advised.
This includes maintaining a healthy weight, managing your blood sugar levels and staying connected with family and friends to help reduce the risk.
Another study found that people who receive the shingles vaccine also have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like heart failure. And this protective benefit can last for up to eight years after vaccination.
Contributors to this news report include: Cliff Tumetel, Producer; Shay Goldschmidt, Videographer; Chuck Bennethum, Editor.