Alzheimer's disease is known as the leading cause of dementia. Currently, there is no cure for this disease, and medications that are available do not stop the progression of this disease. These medications may improve some of the symptoms experienced for some people, but they are not effective for everyone. Research is showing that there may be an actual preventative measure that can be used to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's and dementia. This preventive measure is exercise.
Everyone knows that exercise is good for overall health. Engaging in heart-rate increasing exercise for 30 minutes a few times a week can strengthen the heart, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, help with blood sugar levels in diabetes, help with weight loss, and now, research shows that exercise helps to prevent a decrease in brain function as well.
Exercise that increases heart rate pushes more blood through the body, including the brain. More blood means more oxygen, fluid, and vital nutrients to the cells. This keeps brain cells functioning properly. By improving heart function and decreasing cholesterol, small arteries in the brain can remain open, improving blood flow to all areas of the brain for better health of brain cells.
Studies have show that exercise can increase growth of tissue involved with brain function, allow for regeneration of neurons, increase the brain's resistance to oxidation and stress, and improve memory and cognitive functioning. All of these may help to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease on an aging population.
A study performed by the Mayo Clinic found that regular exercise reduced the risk of mild cognitive impairment in more than thirty percent of those studied. Researcher's believe that exercise helps by increasing brain volume, improving connections within the brain, and improving blood vessel health within the brain.
Why do these research studies matter? As mentioned above, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease and the related dementia that occurs as a result of this disease. A substantial portion of the population is reaching the age where Alzheimer's becomes a major concern. Because of this, Alzheimer's rates are expected to increase exponentially in the next decade. If Alzheimer's disease risk can be reduced by simply adding daily exercise to a person's lifestyle, this can prevent a lot of expense to people and the health care system as well as personal trauma experienced by Alzheimer's victims and their loved ones.
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease isn't the only benefit that exercise has shown on this disease. A study published in The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society showed that for persons already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, exercise can slow the progression of this disease. Patients in a nursing home setting who were given an exercise regimen that included walking, strength training, flexibility training and balance training showed significant results with less decline in cognitive functioning over those who did not exercise.
It is important to note that even if exercise cannot help reverse Alzheimer's disease once it occurs, exercise can help with other symptoms experienced by those who suffer from this disease. Exercise can relieve depression and anxiety, as well as prevent physical decline often associated with Alzheimer's patients. This can reduce the risks of falls and other injuries often experienced at a higher rate in Alzheimer's patients.
Studies are proving the benefits of exercise to the brain and in the prevention of Alzheimer's related dementia, as well as the benefits of exercise to those already experiencing Alzheimer's disease symptoms. Adding exercise to a healthy lifestyle can improve health in many ways and may even decrease your risk for developing Alzheimer's and dementia.
Resources:
Carl W. Cotman and Nicole C. Berchtold; Exercise: a behavioral intervention to enhance brain health and plasticity; Trends in Neuroscience
Mayo Clinic; Exercise Best Medicine to Prevent Alzheimer's; Mayo Clinic News; January 25, 2013
Yves Rolland MD, PhD, et. al.; Exercise Program for Nursing Home Residents with Alzheimer's Disease: A 1-Year Randomized, Controlled Trial; The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
