Exercise May Reduce Your Risk For Dementia
Exercise Does More Than Just Work Your Body
“Exercise your brain.” You’ve probably heard this before and think it applies to doing crossword puzzles, playing solitaire, struggling through a Rubik’s cube, or reading a good book. And it does! However, the truth is you can also exercise your brain at the same time that you’re exercising your muscles.
It’s important to stay active to avoid cognitive decline as you age. Dementia affects over 50 million people around the globe according to the World Health Organization. There is no cure yet, but a fascinating new study suggests even a moderate amount of exercise could drastically reduce your risk.
Whether you’re in your twenty, fifty, or eighty years young, the time has never been better to be physically active. Your brain will get a boost in addition to your body.
Get Lean, Stay Sharp
We all know exercise is good for us, but we often forget how beneficial it is for our brains. Remember that you’re working out for more than just a toned beach body. Every time you get yourself moving, you’re improving your mental health just as much.
New research from Rutgers University emphasizes that point. A team of scientists at the college determined that physical exercise may reduce your risk for dementia.
Here’s how it works.
Cells that respond to insulin are activated when you work out. These cells (known as neuronal extracellular vesicles) are directly involved with brain function and are stimulated by physical activity, in turn, offsetting or even preventing dementia.
Incredibly, past research has considered these vesicles to be nothing more than “cell dust.” The truth is these vesicles are actively involved in transporting proteins between cells, including a vital protein called protein kinase B (Akt).
Akt protein is a silent ninja working hard inside your body. The more you have, the better your cell growth and metabolism. Cells are important because they break down nutrients, thus giving us energy. They also allow us to maintain tissue integrity as we age and maintain a strong immune system. Enough cells in the brain are particularly important. They’re the building blocks of what makes us grow and thrive. In other words, they allow you to fire on all cylinders.
The amazing thing about consistent exercise is that it boosts the most vital cells in our brains. In theory, we’ll have enough cell growth and metabolism to ward off any cognitive decline before it can even begin.
Dementia hits families hard. It’s nothing short of devastating to see a loved one stop recognizing those they are closest to or experiencing a drastic shift in personality.
What if you could avoid that altogether? As mentioned, there is no verified cure that exists quite yet for dementia. However, there’s absolutely no harm in making exercise a priority in the meantime.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this study! Reach out in the comments below.
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