.... and that's even where there is a family history of Alzheimer's or dementia, or even after the onset of cognitive decline. So what is this improved lifestyle strategy? One word - exercise, and this is backed by credible research. Interesting, isn't it? The jocks actually end up smarter than the nerds who refuse to exercise! Don't believe it? Well, a team of researchers conducted a study involving:
1) an MRI brain scan, and
2) a treadmill test.
Results showed a significant link between physical fitness and greater volume of the hippocampus (the area of your brain that stores memory and that deteriorates with onset of Alzheimer's). Subjects with poor fitness levels showed more pronounced signs of hippocampal atrophy.
A new Alzheimer's study that also used MRI scans was recently conducted at the University of Pittsburgh.
Researchers recruited more than 400 older adult subjects — some with Alzheimer's, some with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and some with no signs of dementia. Physical activity was monitored, and each patient underwent two MRI brain scans approximately 10 years apart.
Of the results, the study's lead researcher, Dr. Cyrus Raji, said: "We found that walking five miles per week protects the brain structure over 10 years in people with Alzheimer's and [mild cognitive impairment] MCI, especially in areas of the brain's key memory and learning centres."
Mental examination scores dropped an average of five points over five years among patients with cognitive impairment who were physically inactive. But scores for physically active patients dropped only one point on average.
Dr. Raji also noted that patients who walked five miles per week showed slower decline in memory loss over five years.
There was also good news for the healthy, dementia-free subjects. Those who walked at least six miles per week maintained normal brain volume and significantly reduced their risk of cognitive decline.
Dr. Raji: "Volume is a vital sign for the brain. When it decreases, that means brain cells are dying. But when it remains higher, brain health is being maintained."
Dr. Raji and his colleagues will continue to test the subjects in this study for another 10 years. Their goal is to find other ways that might alleviate Alzheimer's progression and MCI symptoms. So, get walking and exercising - it is never too late to start!
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach
References:
"New Research Shows that People with Better Physical Fitness Have Less Brain Atrophy" Alzheimer's Association, 7/27/08, alz.org
"Walking slows progression of Alzheimer's" Radiological Society of North America, Press release, 11/29/10, eurekalert.org
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