Avoid Alzheimer’s with A Good Night’s Sleep & A Good Day’s Physical Activity

Exercise Improves Brain Functionality & Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Much is discussed about protecting the body and ensuring smooth functioning of the body parts while there is not much concern about keeping the brain inside this body running smoothly. Although the importance of physical exercise on the brain is well-known, it is not well recognized by the public.

Exercise is beneficial to everyone, especially for old age people who are/can be affected with Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise helps to improve brain functionality due to production of brain-functioning chemicals and increased oxygen supply throughout the body. When an individual does the right type of exercise, there is an increased production of these chemicals.

A Brief on Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. There is no cause or cure available for AD and there is also no 100-percent guarantee to avoid getting the disease. But, if there is one thing that any individual in this earth can do today to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, the answer is exercise!

How AD Affects the Brain?

Alzheimer’s disease destroys hippocampus (memory-forming structures in the brain) due to damage to the mitochondrial brain cells and chronic inflammation. It starts with short-term memory failure when AD destroys nerve cells in the hippocampus progressing to failure of language skills and judgement decline when neurons fail in the cerebral cortex.

Brain: The Complicated Network

The human brain uses ample energy and when energy is used there is also the production of waste products. Inappropriate handling of these waste products and poor lifestyle choices are the main factors inducing Alzheimer’s disease. The free radicals can cause inflammatory damage to brain cells in different ways:

• Decreased energy supply due to the damage of the mitochondrial membrane by free radicals.
• Damage to lipids and proteins inside the cell turning them rancid.
• Chronic inflammation in the brain
• Damage of the mitochondrial DNA that destroys bits of genetic code.

Benefits of Physical Activity on Alzheimer’s Disease

Studies clearly prove that physical activity may delay the onset of AD as well as the risk of cognitive decline. Nerve cells produce a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) when they are active. It helps the existing neurons to function properly and trigger the growth of new neurons. Any physical activity boosts BNDF but the right kind of physical activity gives your BDNF an even bigger boost.

Putting one foot in front of the other is not going to do you much favor. Physical activity can be aerobic exercises or an activity that includes problem-solving and movement. Any activity is sure to trigger some BDNF, but what we want is a solid activity that is mentally stimulating, engaging and skill-based that produces abundant BDNF that protects the brain than simply walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary cycle.

Get the Toxins Out

Sleep is mandatory for a good many reasons. Research proves that the space between the brain cells increases during sleep, helping the brain to flush away toxins that build up inside it during waking hours. While sleep was previously needed to repair muscle tissue, now it is required for brain repair as well.

If you get the right quantity of sleep along with the right kind of exercises and nutritious diet, you can not only protect your brain health but also ensure overall well-being of the body. To plan the right kind of diet for a healthy dose of nutrients, get in touch with a registered dietitian nutritionist at www.firsteatright.com.