When it comes to reducing the risk for Alzheimer disease, exercise is the best policy. While reading, crossword puzzles, and eating healthy are important in our overall well-being, the one thing that seems to make a difference in lowering the risk of Alzheimer disease is physical activity, specifically running.
Researchers from the Cooper Institute have been studying the effect of exercise on this disease and others since 1970. One specific study looked at participant’s risk factors for Alzheimer disease and their physical ability. These individuals were divided into groups according to fitness level. The results show that those with the highest fitness levels have a lower risk of Alzheimer disease.
Every person is differentially affected by lifestyle (e.g., education, sleep, diet, and exercise), that can further modify one’s risk for dementia.
It’s never too late to start running from Alzheimer disease.
Sources:
DeFina L, Willis B, Radford N, et al. The association between midlife cardiorespiratory fitness levels and later life dementia: a cohort study. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2013 Feb; 158 (3): 162-168.
Nelson, A, Sweeney, M, Sagare, A, et al. Neurovascular dysfunction and neurodegeneration in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease, Volume 1862, Issue 5, 2016, Pages 887-900, ISSN 0925-4439, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2015.12.016.Exercise
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