In a new study, researchers found that aerobic exercise and a heart-healthy diet could help slow the development of memory problems.
They examined the two potential ways to slow the development of cognitive decline based on what they know about preventing heart disease.
The research was conducted by a team at Duke University Medical Center.
Cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND), or mild cognitive impairment, is a condition that affects your memory and may put you at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
According to the U.S. National Library for Medicine, signs of mild cognitive impairment may include frequently losing things, forgetting to go to events and appointments, and having more trouble coming up with words than other people of your age.
Some experts believe that risk factors for heart disease also are risk factors for dementia and late-life cognitive decline and dementia.
In the study, the team had a theory: That the healthy lifestyle behaviors that slow the development of heart disease could reduce heart disease risk and also slow cognitive decline in older adults with CIND.
These behaviors include regular exercise and a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.
In order to test their theory, the researchers designed a study to examine the effects of aerobic exercise and the DASH diet on cognitive functioning in older adults with Cognitive impairment without dementia.
The study examined 160 adults 55-years-old or older. The study participants were older adults who didn’t exercise and had memory problems, difficulty thinking, and making decisions.
They also had at least one additional risk factor for heart diseases, such as high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, or other chronic conditions.
The participants took a number of tests to measure their heart disease risk factors and cognitive ability. Researchers also assessed participants’ dietary habits and the ability to perform daily activities.
The participants were then randomly assigned to one of four groups: a group doing aerobic exercise alone, a group following the DASH diet alone, a group doing aerobic exercise and following the DASH diet combined, or a group receiving standard health education.
At the conclusion of the six-month intervention and assessment, participants were free to engage in whatever activity and dietary habits they desired, with no restrictions.
The results showed that exercise improved the participants’ ability to think, remember, and make decisions compared to non-exercisers.
In addition, combining exercise with the DASH diet improved the ability to think, remember, and make decisions, compared to people who didn’t exercise or follow the diet—even though they didn’t perfectly follow the programs they were assigned to during the six-month interventions.
The researchers concluded that their findings are promising proof that improved ability to think, remember, and make decisions can last one year after completing a six-month exercise intervention. They suggested that further studies would be needed to learn more.
The study is published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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