A Harvard study showed that walking between 3,000 and 7,500 steps per day can delay Alzheimer's
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A new study from Harvard published in Nature Medicine has discovered a simple and effective way to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's: walking every day. The research was conducted over 14 years and included nearly 300 people between 50 and 90 years old.
The findings show that regular physical activity not only improves cardiovascular health, but also protects the brain against cognitive decline. According to the scientists, those who walk between 3,000 and 7,500 steps daily can delay the progression of Alzheimer's by three to seven years.
Caminar, puede ser el más efectivo para fortalecer la memoria
How the discovery emerged
The work was carried out by Mass General Brigham Hospital and is part of the Harvard Aging Brain Study. The researchers analyzed 296 adults equipped with pedometers to record their level of physical activity for more than a decade.
The focus of the study was on the protein tau, a molecule that stabilizes neurons. Over time, its metabolism can become altered, causing brain damage and generating the degenerative process that characterizes Alzheimer's. The research found that staying active reduces the accumulation of tau in the brain, slowing neuronal deterioration.
Walking, a tool to protect the brain
The results were clear: those who walked between 3,000 and 5,000 steps daily managed to delay cognitive decline by about three years. Those who reached between 5,000 and 7,500 steps postponed it up to seven years. In contrast, the more sedentary participants showed a faster progression of dementia.
Caminar regularmente puede reducir la presión arterial
"Staying active not only strengthens the body, but also the brain. Every step counts," explained neurologist Wai-Ying Wendy Yau, co-author of the study. Her colleague, neurologist Jasmeer Chhatwal, emphasized that lifestyle can significantly influence the early stages of the disease.
A new approach to preventing cognitive decline
The study confirms that it is not necessary to cover great distances or achieve unattainable goals. Walking the equivalent of about 20 blocks daily can make a real difference. The scientists highlighted that this type of moderate exercise, sustained over time, helps preserve memory and cognitive function.
