It’s time to start walking and adding steps to your everyday routine because a study conducted in the U.K says that 10,000 steps per day can cut the risk of dementia by half.
The researchers monitored the steps of 78,340 adults between forty and seventy-nine years. The results showed that 9,800 steps each day can reduce the risk of dementia by 50%. However, this risk did not become less if they walked more than the steps. Moreover, walking a few steps every day, for example, 3,800 steps can reduce the risk by 25%.
The study was published in JAMA Neurology journal and the first author Borja del Pozo Cruz said,
Walking is associated with better vascular profiles, which is probably the clearest pathway through which steps may benefit dementia,
(It’s) likely that vascular dementia is the most preventable through physical activity.
Walking Improves Memory Function
According to a U.K.-based Alzheimer’s society, vascular dementia is the second most common after Alzheimer’s, which affects memory, concentration, and thought processes. Furthermore, since aerobic exercises, for example, walking increases blood flow to the brain and improves memory function, 1000 steps in a day can potentially reduce dementia risks.
Moreover, although the sample size of the research is large, the study had limitations.
Dr. Claire Sexton, Alzheimer’s Association, not involved in the study said,
The population sampled was majority white, and therefore may not be generalizable to other race/ethnic groups
She further added,
This study also does not demonstrate definitive causation between step count and dementia risk; therefore, more research is needed.
A study conducted previously showed that the risk of dementia is decreased by one-third through moderate exercise. However, this research says that walking is sufficient and the best way to reduce the risk. Moreover, walking 10,000 steps per day has other benefits as well. For example, reduces heart disease and high blood pressure.
Conclusion
The authors of the study concluded
This study represents an important contribution to step count–based recommendations for dementia prevention,
Step count–based recommendations have the advantage of being easy to communicate, interpret and measure, and may be particularly relevant for people who accumulate their physical activity in an unstructured manner.
