Disclaimer: This article cannot be considered medical advice. Remember to consult with your doctor first before starting any fitness regimen.

The battle against Alzheimer's disease has been a long and arduous one, with scientists and researchers worldwide striving to find effective ways to prevent, treat, and manage this debilitating condition.

Now, a new study has shed light on a surprising yet accessible method to reduce the risk of death due to Alzheimer's.

The research, conducted by a team of Australian and international scientists, analysed data from a long-term health study in the United States.

The aim was to investigate the correlation between vigorous exercise and the rate of death associated with Alzheimer's disease.

New research showed that vigorous physical activity may lower the risk of death due to Alzheimer’s disease. Image source: karlyukav on Freepik.

The findings, published in a recent report, suggest that engaging in 20 to 190 minutes of vigorous physical activity (VPA) per week could significantly reduce the risk of death from Alzheimer's.

The study found that the optimal amount of vigorous physical activity was 140 minutes per week, or 20 minutes a day.

This level of exercise could potentially reduce the Alzheimer's-related death rate by a staggering 31 per cent.

However, the key to unlocking these health benefits lies in the intensity of the exercise.

The research also did not find any correlation between moderate physical activity and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's death.

So, what exactly constitutes 'vigorous' physical activity?

According to the researchers, vigorous exercise is any activity that causes heavy perspiration and significant increases in breathing and heart rate.

As for older adults and individuals with limited mobility, the researchers suggested that even short bursts of vigorous exercise could be more beneficial in preventing Alzheimer's-related deaths than longer periods of lighter activity.

'This study is the first to investigate the associations between moderate and vigorous physical activity and Alzheimer's disease-related mortality using a large representative sample of US adults,' the researchers said.

This comes after scientists shared a breakthrough that could change the lives of those with Alzheimer’s disease.

Work is reportedly underway on a new vaccine that could be a key to possibly preventing this devastating disorder.

Researchers at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2023, located in Boston, USA, have presented a gripping study—yet to undergo peer reviewing—showcasing their data.

The vaccine in question provokes interest because it targets inflamed cells within the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's. Just like your white blood cells that seek out infections in your body to battle, this vaccine acts similarly.

You can read more about this scientific breakthrough here.

Key Takeaways

• New research has revealed that between 20 to 190 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week can reduce the odds of death due to Alzheimer's disease.
  
• The optimal amount of exercise to reduce Alzheimer's-related mortality is 140 minutes a week, or 20 minutes a day, which could reduce the death rate from the disease by 31 per cent.
  
• No correlation was found between moderate physical activity and a reduced risk of death from Alzheimer's.
  
• The researchers suggest that for older people and those with limited mobility, short amounts of vigorous exercise could be more beneficial than longer, lighter activity.

Members, what are your thoughts on this discovery? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Clancieblue]

The trouble is that by the time you realize or are diagnosed with Alzheimer's, do you have the capability to do the exercise to prevent death?
From what I have experienced in aged care a person's mojo is badly wanning.
Or maybe it's suggesting everyone who exercises won't get Alzheimer's.

 

[MariaG]

The way I am at the moment, if I did something to make me sweat and breathe heavily, I would most likely be having a heart attack.
I have never been a sporty person...hopeless at everything I tried. So, for many years I was an avid walker.
It was nothing for me to walk 10ks just to buy a loaf of bread, or for the sake of walking, 20ks. I really liked it. Actually, I used to arise at 5am and go for a long walk before getting ready for work. It was nice and no gym membership was required.
Then, osteo arthritis started to wreak havoc and it seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. It was like a kick in the gills. I wanted to be guided by doctors so I could continue doing what I loved so much. The last specialist I saw said, you just have to accept the fact you are wearing out. Also, I was deemed too young for knee replacements.
I do dread the possibility of Dementia as my darling mum suffered with it terribly. Nothing much I can do now about working up a sweat unless I go to a sauna.

 

[Veggiepatch]

The trouble is that by the time you realize or are diagnosed with Alzheimer's, do you have the capability to do the exercise to prevent death?
From what I have experienced in aged care a person's mojo is badly wanning.
Or maybe it's suggesting everyone who exercises won't get Alzheimer's.

Having my Dad die from complications due to Alzheimer's, I can say, that in his case, the failure to recognise that eating was the reason for his demise. Alzheimer's never directly killed anybody, same as epilepsy.