“Of all the lifestyle factors known to impact your risk of developing dementia, taking regular exercise seems to be one of the best things you can do,” says Dr. Clare Walton of the Alzheimer’s society. “We know that what is good for the heart is good for the head and people who are physically active throughout their life have a reduced risk of developing dementia.
And many recent studies show that exercise is looking a lot like a preventive therapy for Alzheimer’s. Exercise keeps your mind young.
One study showed that blood flow to the brain is higher in people who are fitter, while another study showed that mice who exercised on wheels had three times as many brain cells in their hippocampus as mice who did not have access to the wheels. The hippocampus is where Alzheimer’s wreaks havoc first.
Weekly exercise, another study showed, increases the size of key brain areas by as much as 2 percent. That’s a big deal when it’s taking years off your brain’s age.
Professor Linda Clare said activities such as running walking and cycling can help the brain stay healthy for a longer period of time.
Many studies have shown the benefits of exercise on the brain. One long study followed 2,000 Welsh men for a period of 35 years. Although the biggest connection they found was between exercising and dementia, they found that other factors followed closely behind, including a healthy diet, maintaining a low body weight, avoiding smoking, etc.
Anyone who is concerned about having a sharp brain as well as a healthy heart should exercise regularly. “There is a solid link between regular exercise and overall health, and there is simply no reason not to do it. Any type of physical activity will have a monumental benefit.
So, get moving now!
Nature Knows Best!!
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