Half of all the risk for dementia is due to modifiable risk factors, according to a statement from world leading dementia experts, and thus is, theoretically, preventable. These factors include:

- High homocysteine levels (which can be lowered by B vitamins)

- Low fish and omega 3 intake

- Low physical activity

- Low intake of polyphenol-rich foods

- Mid-life smoking

- Mid-life high blood pressure

- Mid-life obesity

- Depression

- Diabetes and pre-diabetes

- Low educational attainment

According to the international group of 111 scientific and medical dementia experts from 36 countries it is possible to cut the number of people who will develop Alzheimer’s by a fifth. Scientists at the US National Institutes of Health predict that up to one in three cases of Alzheimer’s disease can be averted if the strongest risk factors (high homocysteine, low physical exercise and educational attainment, mid-life smoking) were eliminated.