- EXPLORE FURTHER: Widespread Diet Reduces Dementia Risk by Twenty-Five Percent Even in Your Seventies
Cycling regularly during middle age might significantly reduce the risk of dementia, according to a study involving 500,000 British individuals.
Specialists discovered that individuals who primarily relied on cycling for transportation reduced their likelihood of developing any type of dementia by nearly 20% when compared to those who used more passive means of travel like cars, buses, or trains.
It was observed that active cyclists had a 40 percent lower likelihood of developing young-onset dementia, a type of memory-degrading condition that affects people below the age of 65 and is increasingly prevalent in the UK.
For dementia specifically caused by Alzheimer's The study indicated that cycling could decrease the risk by 22 percent.
The researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology authored the study, Wuhan , China , mentioned that cycling might be safeguarding the brain through various mechanisms.
Initially, the bodily exertion involved in cycling enhances blood circulation to the brain, decreasing inflammation within it, and furthermore aids in tackling issues associated with dementia risk such as obesity.
Secondly, researchers suggested that cyclists might experience an additional mental benefit from engaging in the activity. This includes being constantly alert for potential dangers on the road as well as planning their routes mentally, both of which may contribute positively to brain fitness.
The study also revealed that individuals who reported frequent cycling tended to have a larger hippocampus on average—the section of the brain essential for memory and learning functions.
Writing in the journal JAMA Network Open The authors mentioned that their conclusions might inspire adults to choose a more physically active mode of transportation.
'They suggested that promoting active commuting options like cycling might correlate with reduced dementia risks for middle-aged and elderly individuals, offering significant public health advantages through fostering readily available and eco-friendly methods for maintaining mental acuity.'
A key discovery from the research indicated that individuals carrying the APOE-e4 gene, which is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, might still reap advantages from engaging in cycling activities.
APOE-e4 is carried by approximately one out of every 50 individuals, which includes celebrities such as an actor from the movie "Avengers." Chris Hemsworth , and has been associated with a tenfold increase in Alzheimer's risk.
Researchers noted that even though the advantages of cycling regarding dementia risk were less pronounced among individuals carrying the gene compared to those who did not have it, the activity still offered some protection and should be promoted within this group as well.
The conclusions were drawn from analyzing close to 500,000 British individuals whose average age was around 56 when the research began, with the youngest participants nearing their mid-40s.
The study group, with an equal distribution between males and females, was queried about the primary mode of transportation they utilized during the preceding four-week period for their movements.
The researchers subsequently monitored the health of the participants over the following 13 years, documenting any instances of dementia along with their specific types.
In the end, nearly 9,000 instances of dementia and approximately 4,000 cases of Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most frequent cause of dementia, were documented.
The analysis showed that individuals who chose cycling as their main mode of transportation had an 19 percent lower chance of developing any type of dementia compared to those using methods that required them to sit for extended durations.
The research does come with certain limitations, as noted by the authors.
Initially, the researchers based their analysis solely on data from four weeks of transportation methods.
This indicates that alterations participants might have made to their main mode of transportation over the past 13 years wouldn’t have been documented.
Secondly, the study is observational, which means that although a connection between cycling and lower odds of dementia has been identified, it cannot be conclusively stated that this activity directly caused the decreased likelihood of developing the condition; other factors might have played a role as well.
The discovery regarding early-onset dementia emerges as cases of the condition have increased in Britain over the past ten years.
The most recent statistics indicate that nearly 71,000 individuals in Britain are presently affected by this type of dementia, representing approximately 7.5 percent of all dementia diagnoses.
This represents an increase of 69 percent compared to the number documented in 2014.
The latest study builds upon previous research published last month Sitting or reclining for extended durations might elevate your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease, irrespective of the total amount of physical activity you engage in.
According to an analysis conducted by the Alzheimer's Society, the total yearly expense of dementia in the UK amounts to £42 billion, with families primarily shouldering this burden.
As the population ages, these expenses—including the income forgone by family caregivers—are projected to skyrocket to £90 billion within the coming 15 years.
It is estimated that approximately 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, whereas the number may be close to seven million in the United States.
Issues with memory, challenges in thinking and reasoning, along with troubles related to language, often appear as initial signs of this condition, worsening progressively over time.
An analysis conducted by Alzheimer's Research UK revealed that 74,261 individuals passed away due to dementia in 2022, up from 69,178 deaths recorded the previous year, highlighting its status as the nation's leading cause of death.
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