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Slow Breaths May Cut Alzheimer's Risk
8 Jan
Summary
- Slow breathing during meditation linked to lower Alzheimer's markers.
- Amyloid beta peptides, linked to Alzheimer's, decreased with slow breathing.
- Study involved healthy adults aged 18-35 practicing meditation.
New research indicates that the practice of slow breathing during meditation may reduce the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have linked regular meditation sessions to decreased levels of amyloid beta peptides in the blood, a precursor to the plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's. Participants who practiced slow breathing showed a reduction in these peptides, unlike those who meditated with normal breathing.
The study involved 89 healthy adults aged 18 to 35, who were divided into groups practicing either slow breathing (inhale for five, exhale for five) or normal breathing for 20 minutes twice daily over a week. Specialized sensors confirmed that slow breathers engaged their parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation.
Blood sample analysis revealed that slow breathing during mindfulness meditation led to decreased amyloid beta levels. While this reduction doesn't guarantee a lower Alzheimer's risk, it provides a significant insight into how meditative practices can impact biological markers associated with the disease.
