Just 5,000 Steps Daily Could Slow Early Alzheimer’s Disease, Harvard Study Finds

A new study suggests a simple way to fight Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Researchers found that walking about 5,000 steps daily may slow the disease’s progression. This finding comes from the long-running Harvard Aging Brain Study. The team studied nearly 300 older adults for up to 14 years.

The key benefit is a slower buildup of tau protein in the brain. Tau protein accumulation is strongly linked to memory loss in AD. People walking between 5,000 and 7,500 steps showed the best results. Their tau levels and cognitive decline plateaued. Even modest activity, 3,001 to 5,000 steps, helped notably.

The more active groups had 40% to 54% less cognitive decline than inactive people. This association was mainly explained by the slower tau buildup. Higher step counts did not affect amyloid protein levels. This research adds strong evidence that physical activity is vital for brain health. Experts agree on encouraging this attainable daily step goal for healthy aging.