Why You Should Do Fitness Exercises To Prevent Alzheimer?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a kind of dementia that is characterized by an abnormal buildup of protein surrounding brain cells. When Beta-amyloid (protein) fragments cluster together, they form larger deposits known as amyloid plaques. These plaques appear to be harmful to neurons and impede cell-to-cell transmission. 

Tau protein, which is vital for transferring nutrients and other critical components, changes shape and forms structures known as neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles are harmful to brain cells and impair the transport system. Plaques or tangles arise as a result of protein buildup. These two forms of protein buildup in the brain are indicators of Alzheimer’s disease.

Although the specific cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, improper functioning of brain proteins disrupts the operation of neurons and sets in motion a chain of damaging events. This phenomenon, combined with a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that persist over time, is thought to be the cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

Several studies have shown that leading a healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. According to a study done by UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, a healthy BMI, physical exercise, and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and low in dairy with mild to moderate alcohol consumption are connected to reduced levels of plaques and tangles.

How Does Fitness Exercise Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists have proven throughout the years that exercise boosts the capacity of certain parts of the brain, particularly the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are connected with memory and learning.

As you may be aware, exercise improves blood flow, which increases the amount of oxygen delivered to the brain. Scientists at the University of Sussex discovered that the amount of oxygen supplied to hippocampal neurons affects brain activity and blood flow in the hippocampus (the brain’s memory center).

In general, the hippocampus is prone to damage and degeneration as people age, which explains why memory loss is a common early indication of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Catherine Hall from the University of Sussex’s School of Psychology and Neuroscience did this research. According to the findings, boosting blood flow in the hippocampus is vital in protecting the brain against disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

The research also explains how decreased blood flow and oxygen levels in the hippocampus prevent neurons from functioning normally. This is because our brain requires adequate blood flow to supply energy in the form of oxygen and glucose to the brain cells for it to work properly. 

The above adds to the idea that exercise improves the amount of oxygen delivered to the brain and thus helps brain cells work effectively. Furthermore, good blood flow may sweep away waste products like plaques, which occur in Alzheimer’s disease.

However, the study has yet to demonstrate that decreasing blood flow and oxygen levels in the hippocampus are what cause plaques in Alzheimer’s disease. We hope you now understand how exercise improves brain health and aids in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

Physical Exercise Vs Alzheimer’s Disease

Here are some of the findings of research completed over the years by various universities and researchers to demonstrate that fitness exercise is an effective preventive measure for Alzheimer’s disease.

1. The National Institute of Health reports that the more physically active you are, the less likely you are to get Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline.
2. According to Dr. Wendy Suzhuki, a brain researcher, there is a strong correlation between mental health and physical activity.
3. According to both the University of Southern California and the Alzheimer’s Association, regular cardiovascular exercise can help lessen the chance of developing AD.
4. According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, physical exercise modifies the function of microglia (brain’s immune cell), lowering inflammation in the brain.
5. The Rush Memory And Aging Project, which was done at Rush University in Chicago, tracked the physical activity of 167 participants. One-third of the participants had no cognitive impairment, one-third had mild cognitive impairment, and one-third had dementia.

The study found that the more physically active the participants were, the lower the microglial activation was in certain parts of the brain. This symptom of reduced microglial activation was also seen in Alzheimer’s disease participants.

Thus, even if a disease has already begun to develop, physical exercise can lessen the detrimental consequences of inflammation in the brain.

However, there are limitations to this study since there is no explanation for when indications of disease first appeared in the participants’ brains or when the physical exercise began to make a difference.

In Summary

Participating in aerobic or cardiovascular activities, in which your breath and heart rate increase to pump oxygen and blood to the muscles, is an excellent approach to stay healthy and prevent diseases that can damage your mental and physical state.

Walking, running, cycling, swimming, and jumping rope are all excellent cardio workouts for keeping your body and mind healthy and disease-free.

As vital as it is to walk, run, or jog outside, the chance of becoming infected at times like these prevent many of you from going to a park or a gym. An alternative would be to exercise using cardio fitness equipment in a well-ventilated area of your home. If you’re seeking aerobic workout equipment for your home, go no further than the Athletic Vision home gym range of fitness equipment.