The MayJune2012 edition of CMA Today cited a study published in Archives of Neurology.  The study involved 201 people ages 45 – 88 showing no signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.  One third of the participants carried the Alzheimer’s gene APOE-4.  Of this group, those that exercised at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week were 5 – 10 times less likely to show amyloid deposits in their brain than those who were not active. 

According to CMA Today, between 15 and 20 percent of Americans carry the APOE-4 gene.  5.4 million People have the disease and as many as 16 million are expected to be affected by 2050.  There are no cures or effective treatments.  “The Alzheimer’s Association recommends regular physical and mental activity, social engagementm and a healthy diet to protect against the disease.”