Keep mentally sharp; keep exercising!

Several new studies suggest exercise is key in keeping the brain working. One study found that people who exercise regularly and have a stroke later in life have fewer and less severe consequences. Exercise develops cellular stress proteins which confer protection during a stroke.

One of the consequences of Alzheimer’s Disease is brain shrinkage. Yet, a study published in Neurology, showed patients with early forms of the disease who performed well on a treadmill test were far less likely to have brain shrinkage. Exercise is known to increase brain size and strength.

Another study showed a parallel decline in cognitive function with a decline in HDL (good cholesterol). HDL can be raised with regular exercise, moderate alcohol consumption and soluble dietary fiber intake.

To keep your brain healthy start an exercise calendar this week. Use a simple wall calendar to log your exercise. Document your low-intensity (walking, house cleaning), moderate-intensity (fast walking, jogging, weight lifting) & high-intensity exercise (running, fast aerobics). This will give you a great snapshot of your total exercise plan. Many of my clients are motivated to write something on each of the blank squares of the calendar.

As always, leave a comment on the blog if you have questions about your fitness plan.
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David A. Brown and Russell L. Moore Perspectives in innate and acquired cardioprotection: cardioprotection acquired through exercise J Appl Physiol 103: 1894-1899, 2007

J. M. Burns, B. B. Cronk, H. S. Anderson, J. E. Donnelly, G. P. Thomas, A. Harsha, W. M. Brooks, and R. H. Swerdlow Cardiorespiratory fitness and brain atrophy in early Alzheimer disease Neurology 2008 71: 210-216.

Tolle, Markus, et. al., HDL-Associated Lysosphingolipids Inhibit NAD(P)H Oxidase-Dependent Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Production. Arteriosclerosis,Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Aug 1, 2008