Keep Active -- Reduce Dementia Risk

Blood flow to the brain tends to decline with age, meaning less oxygen gets to the brain. This may contribute to the risk of dementia. Staying physically active may help. In a recent analysis of data on 3,700 people, those who were the least physically active had a 50% greater risk of developing dementia during the following 10 years. However, participants with even a “modest amount” of activity had a significant decrease in risk. Physical activity was also linked with increased total brain volume, especially of the hippocampus, which is involved in memory. A similar study showed physically active older adults were 40% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.