Even if you do the exercise, sit too much is bad for your brain

Sits too long contributes to weight gain, inflammation, heart disease and diabetes. New research suggests that this behavior is also linked to Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline and brain narrowing, even in people who do the exercise regularly.

What the study has found

The seven -year study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s and dementia, Included more than 400 elderly people without dementia. Participants wore activity trackers on their wrists, received MRI exams and were tested for the Apoe-E4 gene, which indicates the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

More sitting time was associated with good cognitive health and withdrawal in certain parts of the brain, especially for Apoe-E4 carriers.

“When we explained everyone’s physical activity, more sedentary behavior always A cognitive decline and a predicted neurodegeneration, suggesting that sedentary behavior can contribute independently to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, whatever your exercise, “the Professor of Neurology at the Pittsburgh University at the University of Pittsburgh told very well.

Almost 90% of study participants obtained the 150 minutes of physical activity recommended according to their activity monitoring devices.

“Persons of it could also consider how they are seated,” added Gogniat.

Why sit so bad for the brain?

It is still not known why the session contributes to the narrowing of the brain and Alzheimer’s disease.

“I think it’s the question of a million dollars that we do not yet understand completely,” said Gobniat.

The sedentary behavior could contribute to increased inflammation, to vascular changes in the body and the brain, or a reduced synaptic plasticity – a key element of learning and memory. These tracks can connect the prolonged session with a brain narrowing, according to Gobgniat.

“I would assume that sedentary behavior increases the global inflammation of the brain,” MD, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology in Uthealth Houston, told Merywell, who was not involved in the study.

A 2019 study revealed that the higher levels of inflammatory markers in the body were associated with a cognitive drop of 7.8% more steep. However, more research is necessary to better understand the relationship between the session and brain health.

What you do as a seizure might have of importance

The session may not always contribute to the cognitive decline. Existing research suggests that “cognitively demanding” sedentary behaviors, such as reading and playing cards, can offer cognitive advantages, but not watching television.

“We are still studying the impact of what you do while you are sitting, but there is evidence suggesting that more stimulating cognitively, such as reading, can be more beneficial than those less stimulating,” said Gobniat.

A Taiwanese study published in 2021 revealed that people who read more frequently have experienced a less cognitive long -term decline, whatever their level of education.

Move more for brain health

You don’t have to move all day for brain health, but it is important to take movement breaks when you can.

“I try to break long periods sitting at work by walking in the corridor or walking on my walking cushion during off -camera meetings,” said Gobniat.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe that it is possible to delay or prevent 45% of dementia cases. Move more and break the sedentary behavior can help, but these factors alone will completely prevent the cognitive decline.

Managing high blood pressure and diabetes, correct hearing loss and avoid alcohol and smoking can also help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle is not an objective to follow in a vacuum, but in the context of a global healthy lifestyle. In other words, there is no miracle solution that will prevent Alzheimer’s disease,” said Hunter.