How “Dancing with the Stars” Can Reduce Your Dementia Risk

Why sit at home when you can be out dancing? Not only is it fun and good exercise, it can reduce your risk of dementia according to a research study conducted by Dr. Joe Verghese. Dr. Verghese theorizes the underlying reason is that “Dance is a complex activity. You have to follow the music, remember the steps and improvise.” Dance is also a social activity, typically done with a partner.

Dancing with the Stars and the knock-off shows are increasing interest in dance, in much the same way Nick/Tuck increased interest in cosmetic surgery. Of course, just like staring in the mirror at your wrinkles doesn’t mean you will have surgery, watching dancing doesn’t mean you will get off the sofa.

Knowing the potential health benefits may prove to be an incentive. Since “roughly 18%, of the USA’s 79 million baby boomers can expect to develop Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia in their lifetime“, according to a newly released report 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.