The SIX MINUTE daily exercise that could be enough to stave off Alzheimer’s disease
- Scientists from the University of Otago in New Zealand analyzed 12 people
- They studied how to stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor
- Short bursts of intense exercise increased BDNF most effectively, experts say
Just six minutes of high-intensity exercise a day could help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, new research suggests.
Scientists have found that short bursts of intense physical activity can prolong the lifespan of a healthy brain and delay cognitive decline.
The team, from the University of Otago in New Zealand, recruited 12 people for their study.
They wanted to find the best way to stimulate the production of a certain protein, called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
The study results, published in The Journal of Physiology, found that brief but vigorous exercise was the most effective way to increase BDNF, as it increased up to five times compared to those who fasted or did light exercise.
This protein is already known to be essential for brain formation, learning and memory and supports the brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways.
Animal studies have shown that increasing the availability of BDNF encourages the formation and storage of memories, improves learning, and boosts cognitive performance.
However, pharmaceutical interventions – such as taking medications – have failed to increase the amount of BDNF produced by the human body.
Participants were closely analyzed as they undertook four different ways to stimulate the protein.
This included a 20-hour fast, 90 minutes of low-intensity cycling, a six-minute vigorous exercise session including 40 seconds of cycling and 20 seconds of rest, or a combination of fasting and exercise.
The results, published in The Journal of Physiology, found that brief but vigorous exercise was the most effective way to increase BDNF, as it increased up to five times compared to those who fasted or exercised. light exercise.
Researchers suggest this could be because intense exercise increases the number of platelets – which store large amounts of protein – released by the body.
Lead author Travis Gibbons said: “BDNF has shown great promise in animal models, but pharmaceutical interventions have so far failed to safely harness the protective power of BDNF in humans. .
“We saw the need to explore non-pharmacological approaches that can preserve brain capacity that humans can use to naturally increase BDNF to aid in healthy aging.”
A recent study also found that one-minute bursts of daily activity, such as running for a bus, may help prolong life.
Researchers from the Charles Perkins Center at the University of Sydney found that just three to four short bursts of breath during daily tasks were linked to a 40% reduction in premature deaths.
It has also been linked to a decrease of up to 49% in the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack or stroke.
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