A daily walk can slow the buildup of harmful proteins in the brain and nearly halve the rate of memory decline in older adults, ScienceDaily reports, according to infohub.kz.
Researchers observed 300 older people with early signs of Alzheimer's disease over 9–11 years. The observations showed that moderate physical activity has no effect on amyloid plaques but significantly reduces the accumulation of harmful tau protein. It is this protein that is responsible for the destruction of neural connections and the loss of everyday skills.
The first changes in brain tissue were recorded at just 3,000 steps a day — roughly 30 minutes of walking at a normal pace. The scientists observed the best results at 5,000 to 7,500 steps, after which the effect leveled off. This means the popular 10,000-step target is not essential for protecting the nervous system.
Experts attribute this effect to several factors. Exercise stimulates blood circulation and the production of irisin, a hormone released by muscles that reduces inflammation in brain tissue. The authors of the study emphasize that even people already diagnosed with the disease benefit from moving more and spending time outdoors.