Midlife Exercise Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk in Later Years
New research reveals that boosting physical activity between ages 45 and 65 can significantly reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk in older adulthood. A large-scale, multi-country study followed thousands of participants over 20 years, finding that those who regularly exercised—whether brisk walking, cycling, or gardening—had notably lower rates of cognitive decline. Even people who became active later in midlife saw benefits, suggesting it’s never too late to start. Scientists believe increased blood flow to the brain and protective growth factors may slow the buildup of harmful proteins linked to dementia. While family history and genetics remain factors, experts estimate that lifestyle measures could help prevent or delay one-third of Alzheimer’s cases. Health officials see these findings as a catalyst to promote exercise among middle-aged adults, who often feel pressed for time.
|
Want to dive deeper?
We've prepared an in-depth analysis of this story with additional context and background.
Featuring Our Experts' Perspectives in an easy-to-read format.
Future Snapshot
See how this story could impact your life in the coming months
Exclusive Member Feature
Create a free account to access personalized Future Snapshots
Future Snapshots show you personalized visions of how insights from this story could positively impact your life in the next 6-12 months.
- Tailored to your life indicators
- Clear next steps and action items
- Save snapshots to your profile
Related Roadmaps
Explore step-by-step guides related to this story, designed to help you apply this knowledge in your life.
Loading roadmaps...
Please wait while we find relevant roadmaps for you.
Your Opinion
Would findings like this motivate you to be more active in midlife
Your feedback helps us improve our content.
Comments (0)
Add your comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
Related Stories
New Weight-Loss Drug Co-Pay Caps Aim to Boost Access as Feds Tackle High Prices
St. Louis, USA: Evernorth (Cigna’s health services arm) introduced a $200/month co-pay cap on popular GLP-1 weight-loss meds like Wegovy and...
HHS Moves Forward on “Most Favored Nation” Drug Pricing; Pharma Fights Back
Washington, D.C.: The Department of Health & Human Services, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is implementing a “Most Favored Nation” model for...
MAHA Report: U.S. Facing Childhood Health “Emergency” from Chronic Illnesses
Washington, D.C.: A Trump administration-commissioned MAHA (Make Our Children Healthy Again) report warns of a “national emergency” in children’s...