Does Living near Busy Roads Develop Dementia?
During my time in the monastery, I closely associated with many great Buddhist masters and one thing I noticed about these wise men was that you would almost never find an elderly monk with dementia! The same can be said for depression, Alzheimer’s and the host of other mental illnesses that modern society seems to be plagued with.
According to studies and statistics, 1 out of every 3 people above the age of 65 will develop dementia. Those are high odds for what was once a rare medical condition. So, the fact that there is a community of people in the monastery that defies these statistics drawn up by experts certainly proves that it takes more than just good luck or genes.
This article that explains how one’s risk of developing dementia increases when living near busy roads gives some reasoning for the curious case of elderly, mentally-sprightly monks. After all, unlike the masses, monks live a very quiet life in the monastery, far away from the city. Moreover, they engage in potent meditation and visualization practices, acknowledged by researchers for their potential to delay mental degeneration associated with age. We can see more and more living in urban city areas is very dangerous to health with the constant massive carbon emissions, lack of fresh air and being surrounded by a artificial environment. Long term it cannot be healthy.
Read this article; it is by knowing more about what potentially awaits us 10 or 20 years down the road that we will be inspired to take preventive measures. I hope that more people will take the time to engage in meditation and retreats, practices that have two-fold benefits: for our spirituality and for our mental well-being.
Tsem Rinpoche
Scientists Link Dementia Risk to Living near Busy Roads
Study suggests air pollutants that can get into the brain via the blood stream can lead to neurological problems.
The World Health Organization estimated the number of people with dementia in 2015 at 47.5 million [Matt Rourke/AP]
A study published in The Lancet medical journal on Thursday found that people who lived within 50 metres of high-traffic roads had a 7.0-percent higher chance of developing dementia compared to those who lived more than 300 metres away from busy roadways.
“Air pollutants can get into the blood stream and lead to inflammation, which is linked with cardiovascular disease and possibly other conditions such as diabetes,” said Ray Copes, an environmental and occupational health expert at Public Health Ontario (PHO) who conducted the study with colleagues from Canada’s Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.
“This study suggests air pollutants that can get into the brain via the blood stream can lead to neurological problems.”
The study, led by Hong Chen from Public Health Ontario, found that long-term exposure to two common pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulates, were associated with dementia but did not account for the full effect.
Chen’s team analysed records of more than 6.5 million Ontario residents aged 20 to 85 and found 243,611 cases of dementia between 2001 and 2012.
Then they mapped residents’ proximity to major roadways using postal codes.
The increase in the risk of developing dementia went down to 4.0 percent if people lived 50 to 100 metres from major traffic, and to 2.0 percent if they lived within 101 to 200 metres.
At more than 200 metres, the elevated risk faded away.
The team also explored links between living close to major roads and Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, two other major neurological disorders, but the findings suggested no increased risk of these from living near heavy traffic.
The scientists said their results could be used to help town and city planners take traffic conditions and air pollution into account as urban areas become more densely populated.
Dementia is caused by brain diseases, most commonly Alzheimer’s disease, which result in the loss of brain cells and affect memory, thinking, behaviour, navigational and spatial abilities and the ability to perform everyday activities.
The World Health Organization estimated the number of people with dementia in 2015 at 47.5 million, and that total is rising rapidly as life expectancy increases and societies age.
The incurable condition is a leading cause of disability and dependency, and is starting to overtake heart disease as a cause of death in some developed countries.
Source: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/scientists-link-dementia-risk-living-busy-roads-170105103825153.html
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/aljazeera-hen-therapy.mp4
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Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
This is a very interesting article. We are know that pollution is bad but not to the effect that it affect dementia too. Studies show the long-term exposure to pollutants was associated with dementia. This is obviously something for us to ponder upon, where the quality of the environment around us could affect our mental health. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article.
This article hints at the fact that, human beings have long left behind nature and their natural living conditions. When they live in super busy and noisy places it can only elevate their stress and later on cause a myriad of problems and difficulties to appear for them.
This is a very interesting article. We are know that pollution is bad but not to the effect that it affect dementia too. Many of us may not know or experience the effect as it will only comes in later in our life. While some occupation would require us to live in the city and expose ourself to polluted environment, this is a good study to help the government and project developer to plan the township in order to alleviate such incident in the future.
I also feel happy for success of the Hen project. It does gives the elderly a chance to utilise their time beneficially and to get to know their neighbourhood. May there be more such interesting project for the elderly.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. Studies show the long-term exposure to pollutants was associated with dementia. This is obviously something for us to ponder upon, where the quality of the environment around us could affect our mental health too. City dwellers now are too busy with work, and choose to live in high density areas. The quality of living environment most of the time has been sacrificed for convenience, and we tend to overlook the effect of pollution on our health. Opportunity to spend time in nature with fresh air, far from bustling city seems so scarce, yet crucial to all of us to enjoy a healthy life, both physically & mentally. Rinpoche also shared a very interesting point that hardly any elderly monk in monastery found with dementia. Study also shows that meditation can help seniors feel less isolated and lonely, the feelings that help to develop dementia. In fact meditation helps them to feel much calmer and less stressed. Therefore meditation and retreat could be the possible ways to prevent us from developing dementia, at the same time help us find peace within.
This is really an interesting article because what comes to mind is the fact that most people living in cities often prefer to live in convenient areas where traffic congestion is the norm. Somehow, people think that noise and pollution is a good tradeoff for the convenience and perhaps the prestige of living in an expensive part of town. Proximity to congestion, ritzy malls and so forth are what most people look for.
Perhaps, in the material sense, it is desirable but in the spiritual sense, bustling and congested cities represent attachment and distractions. While the green countryside represent rejuvenation, all things natural, spirituality and quietude. Hence, many meditational masters prefer the countryside or at least within a greener and a healthier environment because encourages practice and meditation. Hence, its no surprise that living in congestion areas in the city is linked to dementia.
This is city living. The main reason why people live within city limits is accessibility to amenities and connectivity. Since people are so “busy”, how long it takes to get to where we want becomes an issue, because “time is money” and lost time means lost opportunities. An extra hour of commute means many lost days/years over time. Also, slow or non-existent internet connectivity is also a pain and the outskirts are generally worse of.
With than accessibility comes the subtle drawback that we are not likely to be aware of. Few are able to make the adjustment from toxic city living away from all the excitement to the quiet and solitude of the outskirts. But more and more people have to move away these days, not by choice but forced by escalating property prices that makes it no longer tenable to live within choice urban districts! Salaries are not rising in tandem with property prices!
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with our daily life. It is caused by physical changes in the brain.So scientists did discovered that people living near busy roads have a higher chance of developing dementia.Its the air-pollutants can get into the brain via the blood and which lead to neurological problems.
Elderly monks live a very quiet life in the monastery, far away from the city do not develop dementia as Rinpoche noticed.The air is clean and healthy that leads them to live longer.
Rinpoche have made a good choice to have KFR at Bentong in a natural forest environment. Whereby all of us can have a healthy.quiet and peaceful mind to do meditation,learn and practice Dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing
When I first read the title of this article, I thought it is the noise from the traffic which would cause the dementia, but after reading the article, it seems to be the air pollution is the culprit. I am quite curious about people who lived in city with high air pollution, such as Hong Kong. Would the chance of getting dementia become higher?
Anyway, I like what Rinpoche said that monks usually stay far away from city. May be that is the ancient wisdom of staying mentally healthy. I am also glad that I am now staying in Bentong most of the time these days, and the air pollution is much lower compared to Kuala Lumpur.
According to research scientists, people living near busy roads have a higher chance of developing dementia.Study suggests that air-pollutants can get into the brain via the blood stream and this can lead to neurological problems.
Dementia is caused by brain diseases,the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease, which result in the loss of brain cells . This in turn affects memory, thinking, behaviour, navigational and spatial abilities and the general ability to perform everyday activities.
Dementia , an incurable condition that is now a leading cause of dependence and disability, is now set to overtake heart disease as a cause of death in certain developed countries.
The common cause of dementia is loneliness. Loneliness is also the cause of other mental diseases like depression. Hence , some form of therapy, such as keeping hens as pets, may be the answer.However, if we note Tsem Rinpoche’s observation that elderly monks in monasteries are seldom heard to be suffering from dementia, then we may conclude that other more positive reinforcements, like retreats and meditations, are needed to prevent dementia from setting in. Moreover, retreats and meditations have the added spirituality aspect.
Thanks Rinpoche and the blog team for sharing this beautiful article.
The Hen’s Project in the video is interesting. I think all sickness arise from unhappy mind, negative thoughts are root causes to most of the incurable sickness.
I agree with Rinpoche that there’s no a single old monk in monastery has dementia issue. I think not only because the study of Buddhism and doing certain practice help, to keep the mind occupied and live a purposeful life is key to prevent dementia problems too.
I am touched to look at the happy faces of the old folks who are fulfilling with the hens. I once have a thought to rehome my rescued dogs to old folk homes so both dogs and human get warm and good companion. I made calls to a few old folk homes but the management told me the same reason that they unable to take care of the dogs as they are so busy taking care of the old folks. Most of them didn’t wait for me to explain that the dogs can actually keep the old folks busy and happy. However, there are some old folk homes already have dogs and they see the value of having companion pets would help the old folks too.
It’s sad to see old people just sit there doing nothing and fade away, I think this is the side product of materialism that once you have no more value to the materialistic society, you just wait for the time to come. I don’t agree with that. I hope more people realize materialism is not the ultimate goal of life and realize happiness arise from inside.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this article. I lived quite near a major highway and in the beginning, I couldn’t get proper rest and the traffic noise was bothersome. As the years roll by, I kind of got used to it. But, reading that the pollutants can increase my chances of neurological disorder is disturbing.
But, this heads up is a very welcomed. As it is not possible to move in the meantime, meditation with visualization might be a very good antidote as proven by the monks in the monastery.
This article relates to a video which I watched recently that helps to restore the memory and improve the lives of the elderly. When the seniors were given the chance for decision making and engage in social activities, they start exercising their brains and hence improving their mental healths. Close to the nature and away from pollution reduce mind distraction.
There is also a trend of adult coloring in recent years to help people with anxiety disorder. Among all these methods, I believe that mantra recitation is the best as we stay focus while moving the mala beads and connecting to Buddha. Thanks Rinpoche for all your teachings for us to practice which in long term will generate great benefits for us other than improved mental health.
https://www.facebook.com/cnainsider/videos/1258585660830775/
This is interesting to know. We used to live by a busy dual carriage way ( just outside our front door) and we never hear the daily hustle and bustle of the traffic and I guess we are kind of ‘immune’ to its effect until we moved into a quiet suburb. The ‘silence’ is truly ‘deafening’. I am glad we now work in greener surroundings far from the “madding” crowd and “fingers crossed” coupled with daily meditation, will not succumb to this side effect of society progress…
Thank you for sharing with us about this article, Rinpoche. Whether it is about the noise or air polution, one thing is for sure. When we are at peace and we develop a healthy mind like for instance through meditating or always make our brain work, i feel we will have a higher chance of not developing dementia. I think the further away from unnecessary stress can also help to avoid dementia and other brain related diseases. In the end of the day, it is probably affected by the amount of stress we are inflicted with throughout our life. Thank you
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. This is really something new for me. I am considered lucky not staying at the main road. I guess the local council or govt should plant more trees in the city. They should also promote to use public transport to reduce the polution of the air. Imagine old folks staying in an apartment so high up in a building and they face the four wall at home. By right, the should be out at the garden or parks having walks and get to know people.
With folded palms,
Vivian
I have witness from the monasteries that the older monks are usually very alert and they talk very clearly too. I believes that this comes from the power of meditation and recitation of prayers and mantra. People who are lonely is best to do mantra and meditation practice daily, this will keep our mind focus and sharp. I felt that those whose suffer from dementia are usually too lonely, who ends up not speaking, and not exercising their brain for a long period of time.
As I approach the level of advance age daily, I have looked at many elderly people and felt what would it be like when I get to a stage of dementia, and how difficult it will be for the family and people around me.
It is nice to know that scientists and medical professionals are helping with the cure or prevention of this age related degeneration of the mind.
What caught me was Rinpoche’s analysis of how very elderly monks do not seem to suffer from this old age degeneration. Being away from air pollutions and air contamination help and also being with the Dharma is the biggest help of all.
Even old, the monks do not focus inwards and thus emotions of loneliness and depression are apparent. Meditation and retreats are great ways to calm and recharge the mind.
Personally I am very glad that I have Kechara Forest Retreat to go to, as I seem to suffer some probing headaches when I am back in Kuala Lumpur.
Dear all,
Apologies for the leaving out the word NOT before the word APPARENT.
Thank you,