[Brad Lockyer]

We all want to avoid dementia and cognitive decline as we age, and there are numerous health, diet and lifestyle factors we can control that can lower your risk.

But are there any jobs in particular that lead to a higher dementia risk? According to research published in The Lancet, there is. And it’s not the jobs you’re probably thinking of.

Despite all medical advice stressing the importance of exercise in reducing dementia risk, the study found it’s the most physically demanding jobs that lead to the greatest chance of cognitive decline.

The researchers found jobs that required ‘medium to high physical activity’ including retail salespeople, nurses and farm workers, have an increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is an early sign of dementia.

Those who worked in one of these ‘demanding’ jobs between the ages of 33 and 65 had a 72 percent higher risk of dementia and MCI in their 70s than people who had office jobs.

The study couldn’t explain exactly why these types of jobs increase dementia risk, but the authors theorise the strain of being on your feet for long periods puts stress on both your body and mind.

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