While exact rankings vary by report, Finland is frequently cited as having one of the world's highest rates or mortality from dementia, linked to specific environmental factors like climate, mold toxins (mycotoxins), and cyanobacteria neurotoxins in lakes, alongside low selenium levels. However, countries like China, India, and the USA have the highest absolute numbers of people living with dementia due to large aging populations, and Sub-Saharan Africa shows high regional mortality trends.
Finland has the highest death rate for dementia in the world (World Health Rankiings, 2016) exceeding those of the USA and Canada and the other Nordic countries who also have high rates.
Since 2000, Japan has seen rapid growth in its ageing population. Today, 65 years or older people comprise 29% of the population (1). With an ageing population, long-term cognitive diseases like dementia are on the rise and Japan has one of the highest rates of dementia in the world.
For example, Finland has a high local incidence of dementia which it has been hypothesized is due at least in part to a cold and humid climate that is suitable for mold growth (Eiser 2017). ... ... Furthermore, fungi in the environment have been reported to induce neurological diseases (Nguyen et al.
Among developed countries, Japan has the lowest prevalence of both dementia in general and Alzheimer's disease in particular.
The more cognitive reserve a person has, the longer it takes for any diseases in their brain to cause problems with everyday tasks. This means people with a larger cognitive reserve can delay getting dementia symptoms. People with a smaller cognitive reserve are at a higher risk of getting dementia in their lifetime.
You Miss Out on Sleep
You do a few things you know you shouldn't -- we all do. But some of those bad habits can take a toll on your brain. For example, lack of sleep may be a cause of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. It's best to have regular sleeping hours.
The cause of roughly 70% of all dementia cases is Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder characterized by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, leading to memory loss and impaired thinking that interferes with daily life, making it the most common form of dementia.
Vitamin D supplements are linked to a significant reduction in dementia risk, with a major study showing users had a 40% lower incidence of developing dementia compared to non-users, particularly benefiting older adults, with even greater effects seen in women and those without existing cognitive issues. This reduction highlights Vitamin D's role in brain health, possibly by clearing amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's.
Differences in diet and burden of cardiovascular risk factors, medical co-morbidities, access to quality health care and mortality have been suggested as possible reasons for the lower incidence of dementia in Africa compared to higher income regions of the world.
The "Japan 5-minute rule" refers to extreme punctuality, meaning you should arrive 5-10 minutes before a scheduled time, as being exactly on time is considered late, demonstrating respect and reliability, a concept sometimes called "5-minute prior action" (５分前行動). It highlights Japanese culture's emphasis on preparedness, where trains are so precise that delays over 5 minutes get official notes, making being early a crucial part of business and social etiquette.
The Japanese 80% rule, known as "Hara Hachi Bu", is a Confucian principle advising people to stop eating when they feel about 80% full, not completely stuffed, to support health and longevity. This practice encourages mindful eating, helps prevent overeating, and is linked to lower rates of illness and longer lifespans, particularly observed in Okinawan centenarians. It involves slowing down during meals, listening to your body's fullness cues, and appreciating food as fuel rather than indulging to the point of discomfort.
Aging Gracefully, The Japanese Way
Japanese longevity teaches us that true beauty lies in rhythm, intention, care and connection. By slowing down, nourishing your body, building meaningful rituals, and fostering loving relationships, you're not just adding years to your life, you're adding glow to your years.
Within the United States, most studies found higher rates of dementia and AD among African Americans and Hispanics as compared to non-Hispanic whites; however, these findings have not yet been confirmed by autopsy or imaging studies. Native Americans appeared to have lower rates of dementia as compared to whites.
The number one cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, responsible for 60-80% of cases, characterized by brain plaques (beta-amyloid protein) and tangles (tau protein) that damage nerve cells, leading to progressive memory and cognitive decline, though vascular dementia from blood vessel damage is also a significant factor.
There's no certain way to prevent all types of dementia, as researchers are still investigating how the condition develops. However, there's good evidence that a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing dementia when you're older.
Donanemab, like lecanemab, is a type of drug called a monoclonal antibody. Antibodies form part of our immune system and bind to harmful proteins to destroy them. Donanemab contains antibodies that bind to a protein called amyloid, which builds up in the brain in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
The vitamins that support overall brain wellness include B vitamins, particularly B6, B12, and folate, as well as vitamin D and vitamin E. These nutrients contribute to cognitive function, memory, and overall brain health.
By the age of 75-80, 40% of people have a diminished ability to absorb food-bound B12, says Mason. This deficiency leads to a decline in nerve health, particularly in the spine and brain, which can contribute to the risk of developing dementia in older adults.
Smoking, low physical activity, and a poor diet are all lifestyle and environmental influences that have been linked to rapid dementia decline. Physical activity promotes cardiovascular health, which in turn improves brain function. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle may experience faster cognitive decline.
The 10 warning signs of dementia include memory loss, difficulty with familiar tasks, confusion about time/place, trouble with language, poor judgment, misplacing things, personality changes, loss of initiative, and problems with visual/spatial skills, requiring professional assessment to distinguish from normal aging.
Reduce your risk of dementia
They also found that breakfast skippers were more likely to experience cognitive decline and signs of neurodegeneration during the study period. Ultimately, the researchers concluded that “breakfast skipping was linked to an increased risk of long-term cognitive decline and neurodegeneration among older adults.”
Some studies have shown that caffeine in coffee and tea may reduce dementia risk by a small amount, while other studies show no effect or a slightly increased risk.