Research has found that sedentary behavior, like sitting or lying down for long periods, may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The research was funded by the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Institute on Aging and was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Our study showed that reducing sitting time could be a promising strategy for preventing neurodegeneration and subsequent cognitive decline,” Dr. Angela Jefferson, a professor of neurology at the Vanderbilt Univ. Medical Center.
Researchers examined progressive nerve damage in the brains of more than 400 adults aged 50 and older. They also tracked how much the people moved. They discovered that individuals who were more sedentary were more likely to experience cognitive decline, even if they exercised regularly. People who were genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s were especially at risk.
“Reducing your risk for Alzheimer’s disease is not just about working out once a day,” said co-author Dr. Marissa Gogniat of the Univ. of Pittsburgh. “Minimizing the time spent sitting, even if you do exercise daily, reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”
More than 6 million Americans are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Learning how lifestyle can influence people’s risk facts is essential. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, and prevention is the best option.
“It is critical to our brain health to take breaks from sitting throughout the day and move around to increase our active time,” said Dr. Jefferson.
Instead of pushing through all your tasks in one block of time so you can go work out, it is more beneficial to your brain to stand up and walk around a bit throughout the day. You will get through your tasks. Your workout might have to be shorter, or you may leave work fifteen minutes later, but your brain will thank you.
Sitting for extended periods has been linked to head disease and other health problems in the past. Sitting for a long time can also disrupt blood flow to the brain, according to studies.
While many of us find it hard to work more movement into our days, it is essential for better health. It can come in any form. You don’t have to be working out. Cleaning up around the house, doing errands, dancing or just taking a couple of laps around your home all count!
