Exercise Wards off Cognitive Decline

According to recent estimates, nearly five million people are currently living in the United States with some form of Alzheimer’s or dementia. In 2013 alone, the cost of medical expenses associated with the care of Alzheimer’s and dementia suffers was estimated to be a staggering $220 billion. And as the baby boomer population continues to age health experts predict a staggering increase in the amount of diagnosis and cost related to chronic brain disease. With a healthcare tsunami on the brink, and an anticipated 15 million cases predicted by the year 2050, researchers have been searching for ways to fight off chronic brain disease and promote healthy cognitive aging - and it appears exercise may be the best medicine. According to data published in the journal Maturitas by scientists at the University of Melbourne, regular physical activity during middle age has a tremendous ability to promote cognitive health. Exercise reduces oxidative damage in the brain, but the way we exercise is of critical importance according to researchers. When it comes to cognitive health - exercise intensity matters. In order to receive the brain benefits of exercise it’s necessary to perform at a moderate intensity, and the act of just going for a leisurely stroll isn’t enough to receive the cognitive enhancing benefits. So, the next time you plan on plodding along at the speed of continental drift on your treadmill with a 3.5 incline, consider cranking up the intensity. Your brain will thank you.