By unhealthy habits it meant drinking and smoking.


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As reported recently by American researchers, heavy drinkers and smokers develop Alzheimer's disease seven years earlier than those who do not smoke and drink. At least that is their claim!

A study of 900 people aged over 60 found early onset was most likely in those who also had a high-risk gene.

The researchers said their findings showed heavy drinking and smoking were two of the most important preventable risk factors for the condition.

In this study, heavy drinking is defined as more than two drinks a day while heavy smoking is defined as smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day (!).

The gene in particular that is one of the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease is the APOE variant 4 - a specific gene already identified for Alzheimer's.

Read more from the BBC Health News.