Scientists at the University of East Finland followed more than 2,000 middle-aged men for 20 years to find out what factors influenced how many developed cognitive problems in later life.

東芬蘭大學(xué)研究人員對2000多名中年男子進(jìn)行了長達(dá)20年的跟蹤調(diào)查研究，以探明哪些因素會對他們晚年的認(rèn)知問題產(chǎn)生影響。

They found that those who used the sauna between four and seven times a week were 66 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with dementia during the study period compared with those taking a sauna just once a week or less.

他們在研究期間發(fā)現(xiàn)，相比每周只蒸1次桑拿甚至頻率更低的人，每周蒸4—7次桑拿的人被診斷患上癡呆癥的幾率會降低66%。

It is the first time that anyone has found a link between sauna use and dementia although previous studies have shown that regular use reduces the risk of dying from all causes and seems to improve heart health.

這是人們第一次發(fā)現(xiàn)蒸桑拿與預(yù)防癡呆癥之間有相關(guān)性，不過，此前也有研究表明，經(jīng)常蒸桑拿可以降低各種疾病的死亡幾率，并且對心臟健康有改善效果。

Professor Jari Laukkaben, the study leader, said that sauna bathing may protect both the heart and memory in similar ways

領(lǐng)導(dǎo)此項(xiàng)研究的Jari Laukkaben表示，蒸桑拿對心臟和記憶力的保護(hù)機(jī)制可能是類似的。

“It is known that cardiovascular health affects the brain as well,” he said. "The sense of well-being and relaxation experience during sauna-bathing may also play a role."

他說：“心血管健康也影響大腦，這已經(jīng)是公認(rèn)的了。蒸桑拿讓人舒服、輕松，這也能起到一定作用。”

Dementia charities said saunas might work by reducing blood pressure and improving circulation.

癡呆協(xié)會則表示，蒸桑拿能降低血壓，促進(jìn)血液循環(huán)。

Dr Clare Walton, Research Manager at the Alzheimer’s Society said: “With dementia now the biggest killer across England and Wales, finding ways to reduce the risk of developing the condition is a top priority

阿爾茨海默病協(xié)會的研究主管Clare Walton博士說：“癡呆癥現(xiàn)在是英格蘭和威爾士的頭號殺手，想辦法降低這種疾病的發(fā)病率是重中之重。”

“Saunas are thought to improve circulation and reduce blood pressure, both of which could go some way to reducing your risk of getting dementia.

“據(jù)稱桑拿可以促進(jìn)循環(huán)，降低血壓，這兩點(diǎn)對降低癡呆癥的患病率都有一定作用。”

“Currently the best evidence to reduce the risk of dementia is to exercise regularly, eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid smoking.

“現(xiàn)在要降低患病率，最有根據(jù)的辦法是經(jīng)常鍛煉、健康飲食以及不吸煙。”

Dr Rosa Sancho, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, added: “Although sauna bathing isn’t a common hobby for men in the UK, this study suggests men who use saunas several times a week may also have a lower dementia risk.

英國阿爾茨海默病研究所的研究主管的Rosa Sancho博士還說，“盡管并非所有英國男子都愛洗桑拿，但這項(xiàng)研究還是建議人們一周多洗幾次桑拿，以降低患癡呆癥的風(fēng)險。“

“These kinds of studies can’t unpick cause and effect, but they are important for highlighting trends in how lifestyle factors may influence our risk of dementia for more detailed follow-up.

“此類研究雖然無法理清因果關(guān)系，但同樣還是很有意義的，它們揭示出生活方式可能影響癡呆癥的發(fā)病率，今后需要更詳細(xì)的跟進(jìn)研究。”

Scientists at the University of East Finland followed more than 2,000 middle-aged men for 20 years to find out what factors influenced how many developed cognitive problems in later life.

東芬蘭大學(xué)研究人員對2000多名中年男子進(jìn)行了長達(dá)20年的跟蹤調(diào)查研究，以探明哪些因素會對他們晚年的認(rèn)知問題產(chǎn)生影響。

They found that those who used the sauna between four and seven times a week were 66 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with dementia during the study period compared with those taking a sauna just once a week or less.

他們在研究期間發(fā)現(xiàn)，相比每周只蒸1次桑拿甚至頻率更低的人，每周蒸4—7次桑拿的人被診斷患上癡呆癥的幾率會降低66%。

It is the first time that anyone has found a link between sauna use and dementia although previous studies have shown that regular use reduces the risk of dying from all causes and seems to improve heart health.

這是人們第一次發(fā)現(xiàn)蒸桑拿與預(yù)防癡呆癥之間有相關(guān)性，不過，此前也有研究表明，經(jīng)常蒸桑拿可以降低各種疾病的死亡幾率，并且對心臟健康有改善效果。

Professor Jari Laukkaben, the study leader, said that sauna bathing may protect both the heart and memory in similar ways

領(lǐng)導(dǎo)此項(xiàng)研究的Jari Laukkaben表示，蒸桑拿對心臟和記憶力的保護(hù)機(jī)制可能是類似的。

“It is known that cardiovascular health affects the brain as well,” he said. "The sense of well-being and relaxation experience during sauna-bathing may also play a role."

他說：“心血管健康也影響大腦，這已經(jīng)是公認(rèn)的了。蒸桑拿讓人舒服、輕松，這也能起到一定作用。”

Dementia charities said saunas might work by reducing blood pressure and improving circulation.

癡呆協(xié)會則表示，蒸桑拿能降低血壓，促進(jìn)血液循環(huán)。

Dr Clare Walton, Research Manager at the Alzheimer’s Society said: “With dementia now the biggest killer across England and Wales, finding ways to reduce the risk of developing the condition is a top priority

阿爾茨海默病協(xié)會的研究主管Clare Walton博士說：“癡呆癥現(xiàn)在是英格蘭和威爾士的頭號殺手，想辦法降低這種疾病的發(fā)病率是重中之重。”

“Saunas are thought to improve circulation and reduce blood pressure, both of which could go some way to reducing your risk of getting dementia.

“據(jù)稱桑拿可以促進(jìn)循環(huán)，降低血壓，這兩點(diǎn)對降低癡呆癥的患病率都有一定作用。”

“Currently the best evidence to reduce the risk of dementia is to exercise regularly, eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid smoking.

“現(xiàn)在要降低患病率，最有根據(jù)的辦法是經(jīng)常鍛煉、健康飲食以及不吸煙。”

Dr Rosa Sancho, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, added: “Although sauna bathing isn’t a common hobby for men in the UK, this study suggests men who use saunas several times a week may also have a lower dementia risk.

英國阿爾茨海默病研究所的研究主管的Rosa Sancho博士還說，“盡管并非所有英國男子都愛洗桑拿，但這項(xiàng)研究還是建議人們一周多洗幾次桑拿，以降低患癡呆癥的風(fēng)險。“

“These kinds of studies can’t unpick cause and effect, but they are important for highlighting trends in how lifestyle factors may influence our risk of dementia for more detailed follow-up.

“此類研究雖然無法理清因果關(guān)系，但同樣還是很有意義的，它們揭示出生活方式可能影響癡呆癥的發(fā)病率，今后需要更詳細(xì)的跟進(jìn)研究。”