The SIX MINUTE daily exercise that may be enough to stave off Alzheimer’s disease
The SIX MINUTE daily exercise that may be enough to stave off Alzheimer’s disease
- Scientists from the University of Otago in New Zealand analyzed 12 people
- They studied how to increase the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor
- Experts found that short bursts of intense exercise increased BDNF most efficiently
New research has found that just six minutes of high-intensity exercise per day can help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists have discovered that short bursts of intense physical activity can extend the life of a healthy brain and delay cognitive decline.
The team, from the University of Otago in New Zealand, recruited 12 people as part of their study.
They wanted to find the best way to increase production of a specific protein, called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
The results of the study, published in the Journal of Physiology, revealed that short but vigorous exercise was the most effective way to increase BDNF, with a fivefold increase compared to those who fasted or did light exercise.
It is already known that this protein is essential for brain formation, learning and memory and enhances the brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways.
Animal studies have shown that increased availability of BDNF promotes the formation and storage of memories, enhances learning and enhances cognitive performance.
However, pharmaceutical interventions – such as taking medications – have not been able to successfully increase the amount of BDNF produced by the human body.
Participants were closely analyzed as they undertook four different possible protein-boosting methods.
This included a 20-hour fast, 90 minutes of low-intensity cycling, a six-minute bout of vigorous exercise consisting of 40 seconds of cycling and 20 seconds of rest, or a combination of fasting and aerobic exercise.
The results, published in the Journal of Physiology, revealed that short but vigorous exercise was the most effective way to increase BDNF, increasing it fivefold compared to those who fasted or did light exercise.
The researchers suggest that this may be because intense exercise increases the number of platelets – which store large amounts of protein – that the body releases.
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 have seen the need to explore non-drug approaches that can preserve brain capacity that humans can use to increase BDNF naturally to aid healthy aging.
A recent study also found that one-minute bursts of daily activity such as jogging for the bus can help extend life.
Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Center discovered that three to four short bouts of huffing and puffing during daily tasks was associated with a 40 per cent reduction in dying early.
It was also associated with up to a 49 percent reduction in the risk of death related to cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack or stroke.
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