(ABC) -- A new study shows that keeping fit earlier in life may decrease one’s chances of suffering from dementia later on.
The study, which started back in 1970 at a community health clinic looked at the fitness levels of over 19,000 healthy adults who were in generally good health.
Starting in 1999, researchers reviewed the data of eligible Medicare patients. They searched for anyone who had made at least one Medicare benefit claim with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, senile dementia, pre-senile dementia or vascular dementia.
Results show that patients who were not physically fit earlier in life were much more likely to develop dementia than those who were fit.
Now, that is not proof that exercise wards off Alzheimer’s, but staying fit may reduce the risk of contracting the debilitating disease and it could entice more adults to exercise, which is already linked to many other health benefits.
