New research suggests that slow, controlled breathing exercises may offer surprising protection against Alzheimer’s disease. Deliberate breathwork, practiced for 20 minutes a few times a week, has been linked to reduced levels of amyloid beta, a key protein associated with Alzheimer’s.
The study found that slow breathing, which increases heart rate variability, led to lower amyloid beta levels, potentially mimicking the benefits of deep sleep in clearing neurotoxic waste from the brain. While more research is needed, the promising findings highlight the potential for this simple and accessible practice to improve emotional well-being and possibly protect against Alzheimer’s disease.