Daily pattern predicts Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s.

It’s a debilitating disease that affects more than six million Americans each year. Unfortunately, that risk only increases with age.

Mainstream health “experts” have yet to figure out why it continues to plague us—and they continuously aim to find a cure (or at least slow its progression).

Now, research reveals a daily pattern that may help predict cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Let me explain…

Afternoon activity dwindles

A new study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, gathered data from close to 600 participants wearing a movement-tracking device—like a Fitbit or Apple watch.

Thirty-six had either mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to AD, or AD.

Researchers then examined if movement patterns differed between cognitively “normal” and cognitively impaired older adults.

After adjusting for differences based on age, sex, and race, a pattern emerged during certain times of the day…

More specifically, the cognitively impaired group moved significantly LESS during the afternoon (noon to 6 p.m.), compared to the normal group. Plus, when they did move, their activity was broken up into smaller, shorter fragments.

Study lead author Amal Wanigatunga, PhD, MPH, assistant scientist in the Department of Epidemiology at the Bloomberg School, explained “one of the main symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia is the ‘sundowning’ phenomenon involving increased confusion and mood changes that start in the afternoon, and it might be that these activity markers are capturing some movement related to these symptoms.”

In other words, daily activity patterns could be an early predictor of MCI or AD… especially if afternoon activity begins to dwindle.

Exercise is key

Science shows that AD takes decades to unfold.

So, the earlier we can implement meaningful, disease-modifying, lifestyle interventions, the better.

I routinely report how some of my time-tested therapies can offer significant protection to your brain—and even reverse dementia.

Regular exercise, of course, tops that list.

In fact, at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in 2015, researchers shared a pair of studies that are the first to measure how aerobic workouts affect people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Both studies found that regular exercise not only reduces Alzheimer’s symptoms, but can also improve overall cognition!

The first study involved 200 people, ages 50 to 90, with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. One group of participants did three 60-minute sessions of moderate to high-intensity aerobic exercise a week. The other group didn’t exercise regularly.

After 16 weeks, the exercise group had fewer common Alzheimer’s symptoms (like depression and anxiety). They also did better on tests that measured memory, language, and mental speed. Meaning that, even though they had Alzheimer’s, their cognition actually improved—all because of exercise.

Another study of 65 older adults with MCI found that the type of exercise really does matter when it comes to dementia.

After six months, study participants who did moderate to vigorous aerobic workouts for 45 minutes four times a week had an 80 percent better score on cognition tests than people who just did stretching exercises. Plus, the aerobic group had 14 percent less tau in their brains—a protein linked to Alzheimer’s.

For an all-natural protocol to protest and restore memory, strengthen focus, and fight dementia, I also encourage you to check out my Alzheimer’s Prevention and Treatment Plan. To learn more about this innovative, online learning tool, or to enroll today, click here now!

Until next week,
Dr. Fred

Source:
“Tracking daily movement patterns may one day help predict dementia.” Science Daily, 07/19/2022. (sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220719162105.htm)