Aerobic exercise is known to be good for our brains. It helps improve neuronal plasticity and stimulates the creation of new neurons (neurogenesis). A decade ago this was just coming out, but it's been confirmed more since then. Exercise is the new preventative medicine against cognitive impairment and dementia from old age, like a "miracle-grow" for the brain.
Physical exercise not only can benefit the metabolism of our bodies, but it also affects the energy metabolism of our brain. New research published in Translational Psychiatry involved 60 participants in a SMART study (Sport and Metabolism in Older Persons). They were all examined before and after a 12 week period of 30-minute training-sessions 3 times per week.
At the end, researchers were able to see how much of an effect physical activity had on brain metabolism, in addition to how it affected their overall physical fitness levels. As expected, physical exercise helps improve cardiac efficiency, and it also has an effect in protecting brain cells. 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity 3x/week will prevents an increase in cerebral choline levels in the brain, whereas the control group that didn't exercise had choline levels increase. Choline levels keep increasing as we get older and it has been linked to the loss of brain functions, such as those associated with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.
I've noticed many breakthroughs this year in Alzheimer's. If you weren't aware, here is some of the research that has come out this year. Science is making progress in learning about how brain diseases work, making solutions or cures that much more possible. There are genes that have been linked to the disease, as well as sleep disorders.
- Sleep disorders may increase cognitive problems particularly in those at risk for Alzheimer's
- Alzheimer's drug cuts hallmark inflammation related to metabolic syndrome by 25 percent
- Blood test identifies key Alzheimer's marker
- Using omega 3 fatty acids to treat Alzheimer's and other diseases?
- New test paves way for potential treatments to target Alzheimer's and other conditions
- Brain connectivity after 30 may predict psychological problems
- Two new genes linked to Alzheimer's risk
- Bacteria found in Alzheimer's brains
- Newly discovered gene variants link innate immunity and Alzheimer's disease
- Sleep, Alzheimer's link explained
- Neurodegenerative diseases: A biophysical smoking gun
- Sleep problems may be early sign of Alzheimer's
- Drug discovery: Alzheimer's and Parkinson's spurred by same enzyme
- Alzheimer's disease patients with psychosis more likely to be misdiagnosed, study suggests
- Alzheimer's gene associated with failure to adapt to cognitive challenge in healthy adults
- Alzheimer's disease risk linked to a network of genes associated with myeloid cells
- Leisure activities lower blood pressure in Alzheimer's caregivers
- Anti-epilepsy drug restores normal brain activity in mild Alzheimer's disease
- Alzheimer's disease study links brain health, physical activity
- Interventions to prevent cognitive decline, dementia
- Extra-virgin olive oil preserves memory, protects brain against Alzheimer's
- African plant extract offers new hope for Alzheimer's
- Poor diet, plus Alzheimer's gene, may fuel disease
- Western diet increases Alzheimer's pathology in genetically predisposed mice
- Study identifies potential biomarker for Alzheimer's disease
- Culprit hidden in plain sight in Alzheimer disease development
And that's only for July and June 2017, plus there are some that I didn't add from this one site that related to Alzheimer's, like the recent study on pollutants in our cars while in traffic being 2x higher than the road-side testers indicated. This pollution puts oxidative stress which is thought to play a role in many diseases like Asperger's syndrome, ADHD, cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, heart failure and heart attack, sickle cell disease, autism, infection, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.
There seems to be a lot more scientific interest in Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative brain diseases this year. I hope it keeps up and we can find a way to remove this brain-death from humanity. Don't underestimate the power of exercise for both the body and mind. Move each day until you die :)
I have to admit I'm not much of an exerciser. I rollerblade places, and do some weights now and then, and use my exercise bike a bit. But I should really get into it more.
How are you on exercise?
Do you know you need to do it more but put it off?
Are you a couch potato or exercise champion?
Thank you for your time and attention. Peace.
References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201707/one-more-reason-aerobic-exercise-is-so-good-your-brain
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170721090107.htm
https://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v7/n7/full/tp2017135a.html
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