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A subtle change in urine habits could significantly raise the risk of developing dementia, concerning research has suggested.
Research has long shown a link between constipation and an increased likelihood of cognitive decline, possibly due to gut microbiome imbalances.
But now, Swedish researchers have discovered that foamy urine, which can make people go to the toilet more than usual, could raise the risk of developing the memory-robbing condition by up to almost 40 per cent.
Scientists believe this is because high levels of the protein albumin—the result of damaged kidneys that 'leak' albumin through their filters—can make urine appear foamy.
This association was strongest for vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease and mixed dementia.
Experts said the findings show that issues in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, can also affect the brain and become a risk factor for dementia.
Dr Hong Xu, an assistant professor in neurobiology at the Karolinska Institute, said: 'The kidneys and the brain may seem like very different organs, but they share an important characteristic: both depend on a delicate network of small blood vessels.
'When the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, the same process often occurs in the brain.'
She added: 'These results underscore the importance of routine screening for albuminuria as part of early dementia risk assessment, especially in patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease.
'Early detection of albuminuria could potentially delay or prevent the onset of dementia.'
In the study, researchers tracked 130,000 older adults in Stockholm who were over the age of 65 and didn't have dementia.
Over a follow-up of four years, they found seven per cent of the participants developed dementia.
After taking into account kidney function and other factors that could skew the results, the researchers discovered that people with moderate levels of the protein albumin in their urine (30–299 mg/g) had a 25 per cent higher risk of developing dementia.
Those with high levels (more than 300 mg/g) had a 37 percent higher risk compared to people with normal levels (up to 30 mg/g).
However, not everyone who has too much albumin in the urine, known medically a albuminuria, will get symptoms, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Symptoms—if they appear—can include foamy pee, frequent urination, as well as puffy eyes and swelling in the feet, ankles, belly or face.
A urine test is the most effective way to diagnose albuminuria, experts say and they urge particularly those at higher risk of albuminuria or kidney disease to get regular health check ups.
If kidneys are working as they should, they filter out the protein so it doesn't leak into urine.
However, if they are damaged by something like kidney disease, albumin can 'leak' through their filters and into urine.
Writing in the Journal of Internal Medicine, the researchers said: 'our statistical data suggest that increased albuminuria is associated with a higher risk of all-cause dementia, particularly vascular and mixed dementia.
'Early detection of albuminuria may enable more proactive management of kidney health and cognitive function, potentially delaying or preventing the onset of dementia.'
Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of dementia, which then worsen over time.
Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country's biggest killer.