paulygrl
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 Posted: 04/15/06 - 12:01 Post subject: Link Between Dementia and Exercise |
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Link Between Dementia and Exercise
Did you know that exercising for half and hour twice a week during midlife can significantly cut a person’s risk of dementia? Studies show that those in their 40’s and early 50’s who do this could reduce their risk of dementia by about 50%. And older people who are genetically prone to Alzheimer’s disease could see a reduction of about 60%.
A Swedish study involved nearly 1,500 men and women, of whom nearly 200 developed dementia or Alzheimer’s disease between the ages of 65 and 79. Researchers looked back at how physically active these study participants had been up to 21 years earlier, when they would have been in their 40’s and early 50’s. It was found that those that developed Alzheimer’s disease of another form of dementia were far less likely to have been active when they were middle-aged than those that remained free of dementia.
Other studies have proven that exercise is good for the brain. The amount of exercise that appears to be necessary to be protective is physical activity that lasts 20-30 minutes at least twice a week and which was enough to cause breathlessness and sweating. Regular exercise is the Rx of the times as it has been proven to help keep the small blood vessels of the brain healthy as well as protecting again other conditions that might make dementia more likely, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Exercise may also reduce the amount of the protein “amyloid” that builds up in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. Physical activity also affects genes and compounds important for maintaining good cognition and memory. It also leans towards the fact that people who exercise tend to live healthier lifestyles in general, such as drinking less alcohol and not smoking.
Research continues as more is needed to qualify the condition of dementia and related diseases because it is increasingly common the proportion of older people in society is increasing.
to your good health,
paulygrl |
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