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Does walking and moving more protect your brain and your memory? New study

We shouldn't underestimate the potent power of movement

man walking by water
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I always have more brain power after a solid workout. I’ve covered countless studies on the benefits of movement and exercise for your brain and cognitive functioning. For example, one study showed that exercise is beneficial for brain health, and being more active was associated with different aspartate levels. Aspartate has been linked to brain health, dementia risk, and energy metabolism. This research underscores that fitness really does prompt molecular changes in your blood that benefit your body and brain.

Fitness protects your brain

As researchers point out, “physical inactivity is a recognized modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.” In a study published in the journal Nature Medicine involving 296 older adults, researchers tracked daily step counts with pedometers and explored how physical activity impacts the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Does being more active help slow down the biological changes in the brain associated with this condition? While their mental health was fine, the participants were at risk for Alzheimer’s. Participants also completed memory and thinking tests over the years and underwent brain scans to detect the two main Alzheimer’s proteins, amyloid and tau.

The research results

The researchers highlighted “an association between higher physical activity and slower cognitive and functional decline in individuals with elevated baseline amyloid.” The study results showed that:

  • Walking extra steps and being more physically active didn’t reduce amyloid, but it did slow the buildup of tau. Tau is strongly linked to memory loss in mounting research, so walking more is protective for your memory and brain power in general. Tau is strongly associated with cognitive decline.
  • Those who moved more experienced a slower decline in their thinking and memory tests and had better daily functioning. Individuals who were more physically active and walked more steps had fewer detrimental changes in their brains over time.

7,500 daily steps is the sweet spot

The benefits continued to increase as step count increased, that is, until they leveled off at around 5,001 to 7,500 steps per day. Despite the highly popularized 10,000 daily steps, this research shows that 5,001 to 7,500 is the sweet spot for helping to preserve and protect your brain power and slowing cognitive decline.

Concluding thoughts

Being more physically active and walking at least 5,001 to 7,500 steps a day can slow the changes of Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. Protecting your brain and memory means getting those muscles moving more. Excuse me while I take a walk.

Steph Green (Steph Zee) is a singer-songwriter and professional writer with over 12 years of experience in healthcare and… Read Full Bio
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