Dementia risk can be lowered with shingles vaccine, coffee and other steps

Recent studies reported links between shingles vaccination and a modest reduction in new dementia diagnoses, and a separate analysis associated moderate caffeinated coffee or tea intake with lower dementia risk and preserved cognitive function.

New research highlights steps people can take that are linked with lower dementia risk, including the shingles vaccine and moderate coffee or tea intake. A study analyzing more than 131,000 people reported that moderate daily caffeinated coffee or tea consumption was associated with lower dementia risk and preserved cognitive function. A separate Ontario-based analysis of health records from more than 230,000 seniors examined eligibility in the province's September 2016 shingles vaccination program and found a modest association with fewer new dementia diagnoses over 5.5 years. Lead researchers described benefits across stages of cognitive decline and called for further study. Key findings: - Moderate caffeinated coffee or tea (about two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea daily) was linked in a published study with reduced dementia risk, slower cognitive decline, and preserved cognitive function. - An Ontario study comparing two groups from the September 2016 shingles vaccination program found that the cohort eligible for early free vaccination had about a 2% lower rate of new dementia diagnoses over a 5.5-year follow-up than the group not vaccinated before Dec. 31, 2016. - The Ontario research involved teams from McMaster University and Stanford University and reported reductions in the probability of dying from dementia among some people who had been vaccinated after a dementia diagnosis. - Reporting on the evidence also noted several other modifiable factors that studies have associated with cognitive outcomes, including regular exercise, routine bloodwork to identify nutrient deficiencies, ongoing social engagement, hearing and vision care, mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles, and attention to sleep quality. Summary: These studies report modest associations between vaccination or moderate caffeinated beverage consumption and lower dementia risk and add to a body of research on lifestyle and health factors linked with cognition. Researchers call for more study to clarify causal relationships and long-term effects. Undetermined at this time.