Could these Amazonian tribes hold the secret to keeping dementia at bay?

The lifestyle of the Tsimane and Mosetén peoples from Bolivia might account for their very low rates of dementia. — AFP

Two indigenous groups in the Bolivian Amazon have been found to have a dementia rate of 1%, compared to 8% to 11% in developed countries.

According to scientists, their way of life and air quality may explain these findings.

So, could these indigenous people hold the secret to keeping dementia at bay?

The results of a study published in the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association suggest that this could be the case.

To carry out their research, scientists from the University of Southern California (USC) in the United States, evaluated the mental state of those aged over 60 years old among the Tsimane and the Mosetén peoples.

A Bolivian physician, already familiar with the groups, asked them a series of questions.

The health of the respondents’ brains was measured by several neurological assessments, including brain scans, cognitive tests and a questionnaire.

Among the Tsimane people, who number about 17,000, the scientists were able to study 435 volunteers, of whom five suffered from dementia.

Among the Mosetén people, who total approximately 3,000 individuals, 169 members were assessed, with only one case of dementia.

“Indigenous Tsimane and Mosetén have a low prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,” reads the study.

“Something about the pre-industrial subsistence lifestyle appears to protect older Tsimane and Mosetén from dementia,” explains study lead author and USC professor of psychology, gerontology and preventive medicine Dr Margaret Gatz.

According to the scientists, the answer lies in the lifestyle of these tribes, whose diet is low in saturated fat and whose lifestyle is “physically demanding”.

This could contribute to staving off Alzheimer’s disease, the development of which can be associated with various factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, physical inactivity and air pollution.

The benefits of this lifestyle do not stop there.

According to previous studies, members of these two groups have the healthiest hearts in the world.

In addition, their brain ageing has been found to be 70% slower than Westerners. – AFP Relaxnews