Previous studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet and higher physical activity are each associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

However, the combined association of Mediterranean diet and more physical activity on Alzheimer’s risk is not well-studied. In the August 12, 2009 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers report that both eating well and participating in physical activity may independently confer Alzheimer’s disease-related health benefits.

Researchers from Columbia University studied 1880 community-dwelling elderly individuals living in New York City who did not have Alzheimer’s dementia. Both diet and physical activity information were available for each of these individuals. The researchers administered neurological and neuropsychological testing approximately every 1.5 years from 1992 through 2006. During this time, a total of 282 cases of Alzheimer’s disease were diagnosed. Both Mediterranean diet and higher levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

While some may argue that the association between physical activity and Alzheimer’s disease simply reflect that more physically active people are also more likely to eat healthier, this study demonstrates that the associations of diet and physical activity with lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease were independent of each other. Based on this study, even a relatively small amount of physical activity (1.3 hours of vigorous physical activity or 2.4 hours of moderate physical activity or 4 hours of light physical activity per week) was associated with a reduction in Alzheimer’s risk.

Source:

JAMA. 2009;302(6):627-637.