[ad_1]
CLEVELAND CLINIC – Physical activity has been recognized for years for its ability to prevent and improve symptoms of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression. Today, a recent study shows that exercise can help fight the effects of aging brain.
The researchers studied the activity level of more than 400 elderly people, then their post-mortem brain.
They found that while most people had age-related brain changes, those with higher levels of physical activity had better levels of cognition.
During the 20 years of the study, the researchers found that the protection offered by exercise against brain changes was evident for people with normal cognition and for people with dementia.
Jagan Pillai, MD of Cleveland Clinic, did not participate in the study, but says that it shows that while activity can not prevent brain changes, it can help protect against symptoms.
"It's not like physical activity increases the amount of disease process in your brain, but it helps you to compensate for and mask the effects of the disease process," he said.
The new guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) also suggest that physical activity, smoking, alcohol limitation, a balanced diet and the management of blood pressure and blood pressure. weights can help reduce the risk of brain decline.
According to Dr. Pillai, even though experts do not yet know why exercise seems to have a protective effect on the brain, one thing is certain: doing more activity certainly can not hurt us.
"I think the answer is very simple. I think that the long and often repeated mantra of better physical activity is helpful, not only to maintain the health of your heart, but also for your brain, and that seems to be happening in every future study, "he said. declared.
Dr. Pillai said more research needed to be done to determine why the positive relationship between physical activity and brain health existed.
The complete results of the study can be found in Neurology.
Source link
