Daily Chores And Exercise Could Help Ward Off Alzheimer's, Study Suggests

Who knew something as simple as washing the dishes could help to ward off Alzheimer's?

A new study shows that simple activities like cooking, cleaning and washing the dishes -- as well as good old-fashioned exercise -- are linked with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, even among people age 80 and older.

The study, which included 716 people (average age of 82), was published in the journal Neurology.

"These results provide support for efforts to encourage physical activity in even very old people who might not be able to participate in formal exercise but can still benefit from a more active lifestyle," study researcher Dr. Aron S. Buchman, M.D., of the Rush University Medical Center, said in a statement.

The study participants wore an activity-monitoring device, called an actigraph, on their non-dominant wrist for the study, in order to track how much they moved and exercised for 10 days. The study participants also took tests every year for four years to gauge their memory and cognitive abilities, researchers said.

Over the four year period, 71 people went on to develop Alzheimer's. However, researchers found that the people who were the least active each day -- in the bottom 10th percentile in the study -- were two times more likely to go on to develop Alzheimer's disease, compared with people who were in the top 10th percentile for daily activity.

The results were even more marked when evaluating the intensity of physical activity: Those who were in the bottom 10th percentile for physical activity intensity were three times more likely to develop Alzheimer's, compared with those in the top 10th percentile.

However, Health.com pointed out that the study doesn't identify what kinds of physical activity seem to work best at warding off Alzheimer's, since the actigraphs are only able to detect activity, but not the type of it.

Previous research from the Boston Medical Center also suggests that physical activity is linked with Alzheimer's. That research suggested that walking speed and grip strength are predictors of who is likely to develop Alzheimer's or dementia.

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Comments

[VirgoLinnea]

02:59 PM on 04/25/2012

Look, more proof that TV causes brain rot! And I say TV, because in my experience the only thing most old people do is park their butts in front of the TV all day, then wonder why they all have blood clots and heart disease and memory loss.

[terry90]

12:30 PM on 04/25/2012

cooking & cleaning? interesting.. I thought it was mostly memory exercises, using your brain (i.e. thinking) that most help prevent Alzheimer's... but household chores?

[Lolaaaah]

05:23 PM on 11/24/2012

Depending upon the stage of Alzheimer's, memory activities especially those involving short-term memory, may be too difficult. As Alzheimer's progresses, individuals will be unable to perform puzzles or other more advanced cognitive tasks. Household chores and simple activities that are functional such as folding washcloths or towels, are stored in longterm memory and are more intact.

[1swimmom]

11:37 AM on 04/25/2012

By the time that poor woman finishes doing whatever she is doing to all those apples, she is going to get a blood clot in her leg. she doesn't look all that thrilled to be processing them. 80% is diet, 20 % other, especially exercise.

[BeerLover]

06:49 PM on 04/24/2012

So many more factors that need to be considered.

[BeerLover]

06:37 PM on 04/24/2012

I loooooove cooking..... all the time, and for my friends, and neighbors too! It not only brings me joy, but is the best therapy ever! Well, it IS a science.

Cleaning....not so much...but it's part of life.

[silsez]

08:12 AM on 04/23/2012

Do more cooking and cleaning? Sheer genius. Whose husband came up with this one?

[BeerLover]

06:39 PM on 04/24/2012

Ann Romney's?

[terry90]

12:27 PM on 04/25/2012

lol

[kmtrs1]

12:11 AM on 04/23/2012

Could it also be that most of these folks who weren't active were already experiencing early signs and symptoms of Alzheimers and therefore not likely to be active? Perhaps not enough to be diagnosed, just very early on in the disease. The more they print about this disorder the less it seems is really known.

[Clifford Red]

10:25 PM on 04/22/2012

My grandmother did daily chores and got plenty of exercise from her gardening and other activities and she developed this disease she is now passed on. I know several other elderly people that lead very active lifestyles yet they developed this disease as well.

[BeerLover]

06:34 PM on 04/24/2012

Environmental toxins and diet play a MAJOR role in alzheimers.

Avoid cooking in plastic and aluminum.. is number one. Number two.... try to avoid as many toxins as possible... and eat as many antioxidants as possible....both prevent cancer and alzheimers.

[ihatealzheimers]

10:10 AM on 04/26/2012

AMEN Clifford. I was going to post the very same thing about my family members who all died with Alzheimer's.

[ruthieriver1]

10:12 PM on 04/22/2012

My father just has developed Alzheimers,and it's hitting fairly hard my mother needs help with him already, and he is now in diapers:(...The VA dr. said to my mom, "to bad he wasn't a reader, generally people that read don't develop this", well my father was an avid reader infact I dont think i have ever met someone that read more than him, he all my life has read at least 3 to 4 novels a week,, literally...So I sadly believe alot of these studies don't ring true...

[ihatealzheimers]

10:20 AM on 04/26/2012

My heart goes out to you...and that VA doctor is full of sh-t - SHAME on him. My mother, aunt and both maternal grandparents all had Alzheimer's so I have seen a lof this heinous disease in my life. Alzheimer's does not discrimate. It truly is the great equalizer. One day researchers will find what causes and can prevent this disease. Until then, like me, do not pay attention to individual studies. Enough scientific evidence must be accumulated to draw conclusions. The only thing I believe is that if you can live a lifestyle that is generally good for your heart/circulatory system, it MAY be beneficial long term in those who might have vascular dementia. Be sure to contact your local Alzheimer's Association - they have great resources. www.alz.org. Seriously. That you can do to help your mother and father.God Bless!

[DocNever]

07:45 PM on 04/22/2012

Hey, honey! Get to work, willya? And bring me another beer when you finish the kitchen floor.
It's for your own good, you know?

[Alvarask]

09:17 AM on 04/22/2012

My concern is that the people who run these studies and then assess what they mean are people with low IQs. While it MAY (were this study to be conducted repeatedly, with ever larger groups, and STILL found to show the same results) that exercise and daily chores help to stave off alzheimers, it may also be that appearing to choose NOT to do these things are actually EARLY INDICATORS of alzheimers. WTF? And I'm not even being paid for this. All in all, this little bit of research proves nothing. Leave the dishes until tomorrow, pour yourself a humungous glass of port wine and enjoy your life.

[Nancy Carrita]

03:08 PM on 04/21/2012

yeah, ok. my mother told me that changing diapers was good for my complexion.....

[ginadeoliveira2008]

12:24 PM on 04/21/2012

Well, at least cooking and cleaning will serve some greater purpose. I'm not fond of the routine!

[hattie54]

11:28 AM on 04/21/2012

Blame the genes mostly.

[BeerLover]

06:48 PM on 04/24/2012

True. DNA is destroyed by toxins....and can be passed on to the next generation.... which can repair some of the genes with a good diet....but in this age of processed food, it is rarely enough to reverse the damage.

[hattie54]

07:13 PM on 04/24/2012

Its depressing.I hope to go with a heart attack like my parents did.Mom was in good shape compared to my Dad.We figured she had a blood clot.

[forestlady]

09:16 AM on 04/21/2012

The study was 716 people; if you know anything about studies, 716 people isn't nearly enough to come up with a very accurate conclusion. This explains why there are so many posts here saying that the people/relatives they know that have Alzheimer's were active people. I think exercise, being active and keeping your brain sharp help but aren't predictors of whether or not you get Alzheimer's.