Boost Alzheimer’s Defense: How Daily Steps Can Slow Its Progression

A recent observational study indicates that increasing daily steps can potentially slow cognitive decline in older adults exhibiting early biological signs of Alzheimer’s disease.The presence of beta amyloid and tau proteins signifies Alzheimer’s. Beta amyloid may accumulate in neuronal spaces from as early as one’s 30s, disrupting communication among brain cells. With growing amyloid deposits, tau proteins spread abnormally, forming perilous tangles inside neurons, ultimately leading to cell death.Dr. Wai-Ying Wendy Yau, the study's lead author and neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, noted that daily physical activity might impede tau buildup, which is closely linked with memory loss, thereby prolonging cognitive stability among early Alzheimer’s patients. Participants who walked between 3,000 and 5,000 steps daily experienced a three-year cognitive delay; this increased to seven years for those walking 5,000 to 7,500 steps.Despite its findings, Dr. Richard Isaacson emphasized that a fixed step count may oversimplify prevention and that an individualized approach is crucial for those at risk. Notably, the study also found no direct correlation between increased physical activity and a decline in beta amyloid levels.