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Exercise Helps Prevent Dementia and Alzheimer’s

31 March 2010 6 Comments

Exercise Helps Prevent Dementia and Alzheimers 2

“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” — Kevin Arnold

Dementia means "deprived of mind," and Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia.  If you know the impact that dementia and Alzheimer’s has on somebody’s life, as well as their family, you know it’s a terrible thing.  If you’ve seen the movie, The Notebook, you have an idea of what it’s all about.

On a good note, you can dramatically reduce your risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s.  Dr. John Medina, author of the book Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School , says you reduce your risk by adding exercise to your life.  Adding 20 minutes of aerobic exercise twice a week, cuts your risk of Alzheimer’s by 60 percent and it cuts your general dementia risk by half. 

For a quick visual of the data and results, check out the Chart – Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Elderly Populations. 

Thanks to Dr. Medina for making it easy to see how exercise makes you smarter and helps prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Photo by Mike Baird.

6 Comments »

  • Karl Staib - Work Happy Now said:

    I’m passing this article on to my dad. He is looking to retire soon and I want him to stay active.

    Thank you. I just hope he takes this advice to heart.

    # 31 March 2010 at 10:22 am
  • JD (author) said:

    Hey Karl

    I’ve seen some people take up tennis and other hobbies when they retire and actually get in better shape than before they were retired. There’s hope.

    # 31 March 2010 at 10:20 pm
  • Hilary said:

    Hi JD .. good walks, keeping our brain active – as you say … and keeping stimulated, interacting with friends and family – being involved .. Thanks Hilary

    # 1 April 2010 at 12:25 am
  • Patricia said:

    I just keep saying to everyone, keep walking, keep walking, keep walking….my 89 year old neighbor looks younger than my 2 76 year old neighbors…and the fellow next door turns 80 in June and he just reads all day….and shuffles along….
    I wish they would take his drivers lic. away, he is scary and mean…

    # 1 April 2010 at 4:01 pm
  • Cheryl Paris said:

    Hello J.D.

    It is important to stay healthy all thru the life – when young and in old age as well. I had read an article that taking 1 tbsp of honey daily also helps in brain functioning and avoids loss of memory.

    Bye for now,
    Cheryl

    # 2 April 2010 at 2:02 am
  • JD (author) said:

    @ Hilary

    Keeping stimulated is a pattern I see time and again that serves us well.

    @ Patricia

    My great grand father was a regular bowler and was always cracking jokes through his 90′s and my great grand mother was quick to show me her karater moves even in her 90′s.

    @ Cheryl

    I’m a fan of honey (I blame Winne-the-Pooh) and my favorite is raw honey.

    # 2 April 2010 at 9:26 am

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