Activity helps stave off Alzheimer’s, even in adults over age 80

A new study finds daily physical activity helps staving off Alzheimer's disease even in adults over 80 years old, CBS News reported.

The findings, published in the journal Neurology, said even activities like cooking and cleaning are beneficial. It's not necessary to break a sweat.

"Our study shows that physical activity, which is an easily modifiable risk factor, is associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease," wrote Dr. Aron S. Buchman, associate professor of neurological sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, the study's author.

"This has important public health consequences," he said.

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In the next two decades, the number of people with Alzheimer's will reach 80 million – double what it is today.

Previous research has also linked exercise to a healthy mind, according to U.S. News and World Report.

"Cardiovascular conditioning gets our hearts to pump oxygen and nutrients to our brain cells, which helps them communicate more effectively and protects neural health," said Dr. Gary Small, a brain researcher and director of the Longevity Center at the University of California, Los Angeles