How physical exercise can help prevent memory loss?

Why Physical Activity Matters

In today’s world, where convenience is prioritized, we often choose comfort over physical activity. Food is delivered to our doorstep, travel has become easier, and many of us work from home, sitting at our laptops for hours. This shift in lifestyle has led many of us to overlook the importance of physical movement.

I never realized the full impact of this until I read an article that mentioned how a lack of exercise can increase the chances of developing neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

You might wonder, how are exercise and memory linked?

Well, researchers have found that the overactivity of immune cells, called microglia, causes inflammation in the brain, a key factor in both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Microglia are special immune cells that protect the brain, but when they become overactive, they cause inflammation, leading to the loss of nerve cells.

Over time, this chronic overactivity of microglia leads to a progressive loss of neurons. The good news is that exercise can reduce the activity of microglia, which are the immune defenders of the nervous system. In Alzheimer’s disease, abnormal protein accumulation, altered inflammatory responses, cholinergic damage (related to memory and learning), and genetic factors all contribute to the disease’s progression.

In Parkinson’s disease, exercise helps reduce harmful protein clumps, called alpha-synuclein, that are associated with neurodegeneration.

Now, the question arises: how can we reduce the risk of such diseases?

Physical Exercise stimulates the production of chemicals like BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and IGF (insulin-like growth factor). These hormones help stimulate new cell growth in parts of the brain and strengthen connections between them.

By exercising, you not only reduce the risk of these neurodegenerative disorders, but also slow their progress if they develop.

How Much Exercise Do You Need?

Exercising daily for at least 20 minutes at high intensity, or 40 minutes moderately, can help prevent neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, slow the progression of neurodegenerative disorders.

But that’s not all, exercise also improves overall health, reduces the risk of diseases like heart disease and metabolic diseases like diabetes. It also boosts mental health by releasing hormones like endorphins and serotonin which enhance the mood.

Even a daily walk, jog, or workout can make a big difference for our holistic health! Let’s move toward a healthier brain and body, one step at a time!

Further Reading & Research Studies:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1568163721002907
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8761166/
• https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/neuro-midlife-strategies-for-brain-health/
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-exercise-be-a-potent-weapon-against-neurodegenerative-conditions#Regular-physical-activity-is-key

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