Sep 9, 2013

Keeping Your Brain Healthy

"Exercise is the best thing you can do for your brain."  Laura L. Carstensen, Stanford Center on Longevity

No other single thing is as good for the brain as exercise.  Cognitive decline is not inevitable.  The brain continues to make new neurons and fine tune neural connections for as long as we live.  Aerobic exercise jump starts the creation of new brain cells.  Exercise reduces brain loss and keeps cognitive skills sharp.  Exercise slashes your risk of Alzheimer's in half and the risk of dementia by 60%.  Exercise boosts the flow of blood in the brain, releasing the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), which has been called "Miracle-Gro for the Brain."  This chemical stimulates the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus, the area of the brain linked with learning and memory.  Just 2 1/2 hours a week gives us these benefits.  Let's get moving!

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