Scientists find link between good hygiene and Alzheimer’s

Scientists at the University of Cambridge claim they have found a link between good hygiene standards and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

They say there appears to be a relationship between a country’s cleanliness and the number of people diagnosed with the disease.

The researchers, who published their findings in the latest edition of Evolution, Medicine and Public Health this week, claim that poor countries with low levels of sanitation have fewer Alzheimer’s patients compared to wealthier nations with better systems in place.

The study also found a potential link between higher levels of urbanisation and the disease, revealing that there are more people with the condition in the UK and Australia than in more rural countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Our risk of Alzheimer’s is likely to be influenced by a complex mix of environmental and lifestyle factors, and this study did not investigate whether other factors beyond hygiene may be linked to any differing Alzheimer’s risk in different countries. Research is essential for guiding public health policy, but policy decisions must take into account all available evidence on the potential benefits and harms of hygiene practice.

“Research is to understand the different factors affecting the risk of Alzheimer’s is crucial for finding prevention for the disease. Although there is not yet a sure fire way to prevent Alzheimer’s the risk can be reduced by eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising regularly, not smoking and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check.”

Dr James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, echoed Dr Ridley’s comments. He said: “We have known for some time that the numbers of people with Alzheimer’s varies between countries. That this discrepancy could be the result of better hygiene is certainly an interesting theory and loosely ties in with the links we know exist between inflammation and the disease. However it is always difficult to pin causality to one factor and this study does not cancel out the role of the many other lifestyle differences such as diet, education and wider health which we know can also have a role to play.”