Doing simple things like washing, cooking and cleaning may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease even in people aged over 80 years. Thus the results of the latest findings are published online in the journal Neurology.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive degenerative brain disease which causes thinking and memory disorders (dementia). Alzheimer’s disease most commonly found in older people aged approximately 65 years and over.
In his study, researchers recruited 716 volunteers with a mean age of 82 years to wear a device that can monitor their daily activities. The participants were also given cognitive tests to measure memory and thinking skills.
After about three years of researchers, 71 of the volunteers suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Results showed that participants who are not active, twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s disease than those who were active.
Dr. Aron Buchman of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago says, “our results show that all physical activities including sports and other activities such as cooking, washing dishes and cleaning the house associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s syndrome.
“These findings provide support for efforts to encourage all kinds of physical activity even in very old adults who may not have to can no longer be a formal exercise of physical activity, but still can benefit from a more active lifestyle,” said Buchman.
Dr Anne Corbett, manager of research at the Alzheimer’s Society says, “it is well established that regular physical exercise is an important way to reduce your risk of dementia and reduce the risk to 45 percent”.
This study adds to evidence and demonstrate that simple things like cooking and cleaning can make a difference.
Corbertt revealed that one in three people aged over 65 will die from dementia. In addition to trying to stay active, maintain healthy weight, eating fish rich in fat and quitting smoking can help reduce this risk.
Dr Simon Ridley, head of research of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said, “There is some evidence that exercise in middle age may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
“These findings suggest that physical activity daily such as doing housework or playing cards could have the benefit of old age,” said Ridley.
