Exercise and Your Brain

There is increasing evidence demonstrating the benefits of exercise for the brain, particularly in the realm of preventing strokes and reducing the risk of developing dementia.  Dementia has been associated with low muscle mass, and with fat deposition in muscle tissue.  Regular exercise helps to improve blood flow throughout the body, including to the brain, and regular exercise can also help reduce inflammation, which has as much of a negative effect on the brain as elsewhere in the body.  Some studies have suggested as much as a 30-45% decreased risk of developing dementia in regular exercisers.  The two best indicators for a lower risk were higher handgrip strength, and faster walking pace.  But, this doesn’t mean you should train just for grip strength and fast walking.  High handgrip strength is likely associated with regular weight training, as we use a handgrip for many exercises and thus train our grip.  The fast walking pace is likely due to having a higher aerobic fitness level.  Nevertheless, the important takeaway from this is to exercise, regularly for the long-term, so you can protect your brain.

Remember: before starting an exercise program, talk with your doctor first.