About 5.2 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The organization also predicts that 10 million baby boomers will develop the brain disease, which is the seventh leading cause of death in the country. Women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer's. Research suggests that a few factors, including exercise, can reduce your risk of developing the disease.
Definition
Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, is a brain disease that impairs memory, thinking and behavior, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The leading risk factor is age, although some people can develop early onset Alzheimer's, which means the disease occurs in the 40s or 50s. The onset of this brain disease is slow, but it progresses over time and becomes severe enough to disrupt daily tasks and quality of life.
Symptoms
Several warning signs can signal that you have Alzheimer's, including memory problems that disrupt your daily activities, difficulty planning or solving or confusion with time and place, notes the Alzheimer's Association. Other symptoms include misplacing items, difficulty with common words when speaking or writing and mood changes.
Role of Exercise
Exercise is the most effective way to prevent Alzheimer's, according to Angela Lunde, a Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator. As Lunde points out, several studies shows that physical activity blocks Alzheimer's-like brain changes in mice and thereby delays the development of a primary feature of the brain disease. Also, exercise prevents brain shrinkage that's associated with the cognitive problems seen in Alzheimer's, according to the American Academy of Neurology.
Evidence
In a study conducted by the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, researchers investigated the effects of exercise in a group of 65- to 85-year-olds, which included people who carried a high-risk gene for Alzheimer's. Seniors who exercised had better brain activity in memory-related regions compared to those who were sedentary. Also, gene carriers who were physically active had more brain activity than those who also exercised but did not have the gene. This effect suggests that exercise may be even more beneficial for preventing Alzheimer's in those who are most at risk.
Amount
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adults between ages 15 and 65 get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise such as walking or casual cycling most days of the week. You should also perform strength-training exercises at least two days a week. If you're over 65 and in good physical health, you can also follow those guidelines. However, the more exercise you get, the more benefits you'll reap, notes the CDC.
Caution
If you've been sedentary over a long period, consult your doctor before starting an exercise program to undergo a complete physical exam. Once you begin exercising, go at a slow pace and gradually increase your frequency and intensity.
References
- Alzheimer's Association: Ten Million U.S. Baby Boomers Will Develop Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's Association: What Is Alzheimer's?
- Alzheimer's Association: 10 Signs of Alzheimer's
- MayoClinic.com: Preventing Alzheimer's: Exercise still best bet
- American Academy of Neurology: Exercise May Prevent Brain Shrinkage in Early Alzheimer's
- Eurekalert: Study Shows Importance of Exercise for Those at Special Risk for Alzheimer's
