Alzheimer's Disease Can Be Prevented With Exercise

Exercise undoubtedly offers a slew of benefits to our physical and mental health. In a recently published study, scientists claim that having a routine exercises not only significantly enhances our brain condition, it may also delay the onslaught of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

"What benefits the body benefits the brain. You are not a separate brain walking around on top of a body," said Dianna Purvis Jaffin, PhD, strategy and program director at the Center for Brain Health's Brain Performance Institute as quoted by CNN.

The study was carried out by experts from UCLA and their partner institutions. The research involved assessment of 900 participants aged 65 years and above to check if they have any neuro-cognitive impairments.

More Grey Matter in the Brain Means Less Risk of Alzheimer's

Findings revealed that common workout activities that burn calories can lessen the likelihood of developing memory loss and other neurodegenerative like Alzheimer's. As per MRI scans of the research participants, the more physically active a person is, the more grey matter their brains contain.

The grey matter are regions in the brain linked to a number of cognitive functions such as memory-keeping, decision-making process, speech, and emotions. The study went on to say that the more grey matter a person has, the healthier his/her mental condition is.

"The study found that people who developed more grey matter thanks to their exercise routines are 50 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's or any memory impairments during the next five years," Parent Herald reported.

Moreover, other reports seem to link other health issues like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and even depression with Alzheimer's especially among women, Pulse Headlines reported.

While Alzheimer's may not be totally avoidable, it can be slowed down by shifting to healthier habits and more health-conscious activities such as well-balanced diet, well-rounded social life, and, of course, good exercise.

"Physical activity is easier to measure but I don't think anybody has come out and said this is more important than that," remarked neuropsychologist James T. Becker as quoted by Fredericksburg.com who advocated exercise for better cognitive functions of the brain.