As we know, the brain serves as the master control center for virtually all bodily functions. However, when most think of the brain, the immediate association pertains to things like thinking, learning, “intelligence,” memory, etc. Naturally, when we speak of the increasingly prevalent Alzheimer’s and various forms of dementia, we refer to a loss of memory and a decline in function that all stems in the brain.
Well, what if I told you that there is mounting research backing a “do it yourself” method for potentially preventing and even reversing various aspects of cognitive decline?
What if I told you there is a simple way to actually promote growth in your brain and potentially attenuate the degree of inevitable dementia that is a consequence of our body’s mandatory, lifelong breakdown?
What if this remedy cost you nothing but a little bit of time and effort? (I fear I may have lost some right there.)
Would you be interested?
Would you take it a step further and actually do it?
Well my friends, I’m prepared to disclose this ground breaking technique to you all right here, right now, out of the kindness of my heart. This is a technique that is also one of the top all natural methods to combat other potentially debilitating and life altering conditions such as depression and diabetes.
I’m speaking of a crazy little thing called EXERCISE. That’s right, I said it. My apologies if you were expecting more, but why make it more complicated than it is?
As highlighted in a recent article by Dr. Mercola, the powerfully positive affects of physical activity continue to encompass more and more aspects of our health, and now the brain can be included in that impressive list.
“Recent research reveals that exercise promotes a process now known as neurogenesis, i.e., your brain’s ability to adapt and grow new brain cells, regardless of your age.
The hippocampus, a brain area closely linked to learning and memory, is especially receptive to new neuron growth in response to endurance exercise.
In essence, physical activity produces biochemical changes that strengthen and renew not only your body but also your brain—particularly areas associated with memory and learning.
Non-exercise activity and movement is also critical for optimal health, as explained by Dr. Joan Vernikos. Sitting for extended periods of time is actually an independent risk factor for poor health and premature death. Even if you exercise regularly and are fit, uninterrupted sitting for a great percentage of the time increases your risk of dying prematurely.
Simply standing up, a minimum of 30 times a day is a powerful antidote to long periods of sitting. The good news is that there are virtually unlimited opportunities for movement throughout the day, from doing housework or gardening, to cooking and even just standing up every 10 minutes.
Ideally, you’d want to make exercise a regular part of your life from as early on as possible. But it’s never too late to start. Even seniors who take up a fitness regimen can improve their cognitive function.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO START…
For example, a team at the University of Edinburgh followed more than 600 people, starting at age 70, who kept detailed logs of their daily physical, mental and social habits. Three years later, their brains were imaged for age-related changes, such as brain shrinkage and damage to the white matter, which is considered the “wiring” of your brain’s communication system. Not surprisingly, seniors who engaged in the most physical exercise showed the least amount of brain shrinkage.
Similarly, Kirk Erickson, PhD of the University of Pittsburgh, found that adults aged 60 to 80 walking moderately (just 30 to 45 minutes, three days per week for one year) increased the volume of their hippocampus by two percent. The hippocampus is a region of your brain important for memory.
Ideally, you’ll want to strive for a varied and well-rounded fitness program that incorporates a wide variety of exercises. As a general rule, as soon as an exercise becomes easy to complete, you need to increase the intensity and/or try another exercise to keep challenging your body.
Additionally, as mentioned earlier, more recent research has really turned the spotlight on the importance of non-exercise movement. Truly, the key to health is to remain as active as you can, all day long, but that doesn’t mean you train like an athlete for hours a day. It simply means, whenever you have a chance to move and stretch your body in the course of going about your day—do it!”
As always, this is truly empowering information. However, the potential power can only be unlocked if you take action and apply the information, SO GET MOVING!!!
Exercise is one of the most important pieces to the holistic puzzle that is your health, and one that is universally applicable to some degree or another. Piece it together with proper nutrition and neuro-musculoskeletal health and you are well on your way.
If you have any questions about getting started with any of this, please take me up on my offer to help.
I’m here when you’re ready.
REFERENCES:
http://www.neurology.org/content/79/17/1802
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20120716/exercise-may-reduce-risk-alzheimers
http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2013/10/25/exercise-for-brain-health.aspx
Clarke Chiropractic and Wellness 