New Research Connects Exercise to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

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Research says, “Regular exercise supports your brain health directly by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels, reduce inflammation and helping brain cells to live longer.”
The advantages of exercise are seemingly endless. Less understood is the connection physical exercise and brain health. A recent study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience shows a connection between body and mind, specifically as memory is concerned.
The study suggests that interval training can help improve memory and decrease the risk of falling victim to the devastating neurological effects of diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s as you age.(source)

The Study

The research was conducted on 95 participants, divided into three groups and were monitored them over the course of six weeks. The first group did a training program combining physical and cognitive exercises. The second group completed only physical exercise while the third group did neither of the activities. When tested these participants’ ability to retain information, both combined training group and just physical training group responded well. Their response were measured by the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports brain cell growth and function.
“Improvements in this type of memory from exercise might help to explain the previously established link between aerobic exercise and better academic performance,” said lead study author Jennifer Heisz, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University. Exercise specifically increases the level of BDNF in the brain.
Researchers predict these benefits of exercise playing a major role in preserving healthy brain cognition later in life, i.e. preventing Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease and even other neurological diseases. This degenerative brain disease is growing more and becoming more common and this study comes as a glimmer of hope.

Final note…

A study says, every four seconds globally doctors detect a new case of dementia. It is estimated that more than 115 million people will suffer from the disease by the year 2050.
So just like we eat well and exercise to protect our physic, the same shall be done for your brain and neurological health.