Five Minutes a Day can Lower Dementia Risk

A study published by researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has shown that 5 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day can lower your risk of dementia by 41%. Researchers analyzed data from almost 90,000 adults in the UK who wore smart watches that tracked their physical activity.

This study found that engaging in as little as 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, lowered the risk of developing dementia by 41% over an average four-year follow-up period. Unsurprisingly, the researchers found dementia risk decreased with higher amounts of physical activity. For every additional 30 minutes of exercise per week, dementia risk is reduced by 4%. Dementia risks were 60% lower in participants in the 35 to 69.9 minutes of physical activity/week category; 63% lower in the 70 to 139.9 minutes/week category; and 69% lower in the 140 and over minutes/week category.

This study adds to the scientific literature that shows that exercise is your most powerful tool to prevent dementia. Even moderate amounts of physical activity cuts your dementia risk. While many focus on medications or supplements to reduce the risk of dementia, we have a simple, effective, science-proven weapon against dementia - exercise.