Here’s how many daily steps may help delay Alzheimer’s symptoms

People at heightened risk of Alzheimer’s disease may be able to slow their cognitive decline by taking more daily steps, a new study suggests.

Researchers found people with early, presymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease who walked 3,000 to 5,000 steps per day appeared to delay their cognitive decline by three years in comparison with those who walked less. And people who walked 5,000 to 7,000 steps per day appeared to delay their decline by seven years, on average. (Depending on your gait, a mile takes around 2,000 steps.)

“If you’re sedentary, even modest activity could help slow down that process,” said Wai-Ying Wendy Yau, the lead author of the study and a cognitive neurologist at Mass General Brigham.

The study included close to 300 older adults, some of whom had brain scans that indicat