Not long ago, I came across a news anchor reporting that “studies have shown walking or running can prevent and treat dementia.” Intrigued, I decided to track down the academic journal that published this research. Upon careful review, I discovered that the study merely suggested that such exercises might be helpful. It did not, however, reach a definitive conclusion.

The news report, which presented this as a conclusive finding, was undoubtedly a misrepresentation of the actual research. So, does exercise, like walking or running, truly help prevent or treat dementia? My candid answer would be, “Well, not exactly.”

It’s no secret that exercise is good for the body. However, among various types of exercise, aerobic activities—such as walking, running, jumping rope, or light hiking—stand out as particularly beneficial. Sustained efforts that leave you slightly out of breath over time yield the best results.

Aerobic exercise lowers cholesterol (both LDL and HDL levels), regulates blood pressure and blood sugar, flushes out toxins, enhances immune function, and promotes a healthier metabolism. With such wide-ranging benefits, it’s no wonder that aerobic exercise is essential for preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even cancer.

What’s particularly noteworthy is the relationship between certain diseases and dementia. Medical studies have shown that heart disease doubles the likelihood of progressing to dementia, while diabetes increases the risk by over 400%. These are well-documented, scientifically-supported facts, backed by statistical data from extensive medical research.

Aerobic exercise may indeed help improve or maintain memory temporarily. The reason is simple: just like other cells in our body, brain cells benefit from an enhanced metabolism, which aerobic activities promote. When we engage in exercises like walking or running, our bodies take in a large amount of oxygen. The brain, being the organ with the highest demand for oxygen, thrives on this increased supply.

It’s easy to predict that aerobic exercise can lower the risk of vascular-related dementia—conditions stemming from stroke or brain hemorrhage—by preventing and improving age-related vascular diseases. However, it would be an overreach to claim that aerobic exercise universally prevents or treats dementia.

As previously noted, scientific research has identified beta-amyloid proteins as a primary cause of dementia. These proteins accumulate in the brain as we age, becoming toxic and damaging brain cells. To date, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that aerobic exercise prevents the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain or dissolves the existing deposits. Without such evidence, it is inaccurate to claim that aerobic exercise alone can prevent or treat dementia.

If aerobic exercise truly prevents or treats dementia, we would expect to see very few cases of dementia among athletes—particularly runners and others who engage in sustained aerobic activities. Yet, many athletes face dementia or other brain-related disorders in their later years. This raises the question: can aerobic exercise alone prevent or treat dementia?

What I can confidently say is that engaging in light aerobic exercise for at least 40 minutes daily is undeniably good for overall health. For individuals with diabetes or vascular conditions, it’s an excellent way to improve health and manage these issues. However, aerobic exercise must be paired with avoiding harmful habits such as excessive drinking, smoking, or overeating. The challenge, of course, lies in how many people can consistently turn these principles into daily practice.

To reiterate, the belief that aerobic exercise prevents or treats dementia is misguided and unsupported by scientific evidence. Current research has shown that dementia arises due to the accumulation of beta-amyloid, a toxic protein that damages and kills brain cells over time. While aerobic exercise has its merits, there is no scientific basis to claim it can prevent the buildup of beta-amyloid or dissolve existing deposits.