Researchers Say This Everyday Habit Could Help Prevent Nearly Half of Dementia Cases

Most men think dementia is an unavoidable part of aging. But new research highlighted in a Curtin University news release suggests up to 45% of cases may be preventable by tackling lifestyle-related risk factors-and maintaining muscle strength could be one of the most important.

According to the release, researchers conducted two separate 2026 studies examining dementia prevention. One, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, found that public awareness campaigns alone rarely lead to lasting behavior change. The other, appearing in the Clinical Nutrition, found that people with low muscle strength combined with excess body fat faced a significantly higher risk of developing dementia.

"Up to 45 per cent of dementia cases are linked to modifiable factors we can change, such as our lifestyle, health status and environment," Professor Mario Siervo of Curtin University's School of Population Health said in the release. "But simply telling people what those risks are isn't enough."

Researchers reviewed dementia prevention programs from eight countries and found that personalized, community-based strategies were much more effective at helping people adopt healthier habits than awareness campaigns alone, according to the news release.

Why Muscle Matters for Your Brain

The second study highlighted in the release followed nearly 500,000 adults for more than a decade. Researchers found that people with low muscle strength and excess body fat-known as sarcopenic obesity-had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia.

Perhaps the biggest surprise: obesity alone wasn't linked to a higher dementia risk if muscle strength was preserved.

Co-author Professor Blossom Stephan said in the news release that many people still believe dementia is an inevitable part of aging, despite growing evidence that many cases can be delayed or prevented through healthier lifestyles.

The Brain-Healthy Habit Most Men Already Know How to Do

Most men hit the gym to build muscle or stay lean. This research offers another reason to keep showing up.

Strength training, regular movement, a nutritious diet, and keeping blood pressure in check won't eliminate your dementia risk. But they're among the lifestyle habits with the strongest evidence for supporting both brain and body health as you age-and that's a payoff worth training for.

Next: Trainer: Why Men Over 40 Should Be Doing Box Squats for Long-Term Strength

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Health section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 12:05 PM.