Aerobic exercise for the elderly can prevent Alzheimer's disease

　　Scientific research shows that aerobic exercise can activate the brain and prevent Alzheimer's disease.

　　The New York Times in the United States recently published a set of reports that introduced the latest scientific understanding and the latest treatment and health care techniques and medicines about the 14 major parts or organs of the human body from head to toe. Today, the newspaper published the part about the brain.

　　A recent study by American scientists found that people may worry about getting heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. A recent study on Alzheimer's disease found that people are obviously not just worried about Alzheimer's disease, but are scared to death.

　　People's fears are well-founded. 1 in 8 adults over 65 have this condition disease . Those who survive Alzheimer's disease also know that they will eventually have to shoulder the burden of caring for a sick parent or spouse. Although the number of Alzheimer's patients is increasing rapidly, there are only a few effective drugs on the market, and these drugs can only delay the progression of the disease but cannot cure it.

　　The brain can generate new nerve cell

　　But now researchers are more optimistic than ever about the potential of the aging brain, as recent evidence challenges long-standing conventional wisdom and shows that the brain can actually generate new nerve cells.

　　Mollie V. Wagster, director of the Geriatric Neuropsychology Branch at the National Institute on Aging, said the generation of new nerve cells occurs "not just in adult mice and monkeys, but also in older adults. ”She added that most of these areas where new nerve cells are produced and the areas of the brain that scientists have studied are important for learning and memory, especially the hippocampus.

　　Brain power is related to activity level

　　So how do you stimulate the brain to produce new nerve cells? Scientists can't fully answer that question just yet, but they have some ideas for those who keep their minds sharp. elderly The research we conducted has given us some clues in finding answers to our questions. These elderly people generally maintain social ties and have close relationships with relatives, friends, and community groups. Most of them are physically healthy And be active and willing to participate in activities that activate your brain or require you to use your brain.

　　But here's a big question: Are they keeping their minds active because they participate in these activities, or are they able to participate in these activities because their cognitive abilities are normal. "We don't know if there's causation, but I think there's probably a bidirectional effect," said Dr. Bruce S. McEwen, director of the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology at The Rockefeller University in New York. ”

　　Aerobic exercise activates the brain, but some intervention studies involving older adults undergoing exercise regimens have yielded remarkable results. Researchers at Illinois State University recruited a group of sedentary adults aged 60 to 75 in urban and rural areas. Half of them were assigned to an aerobic exercise group and walked three times a week, while the control group did anaerobic contractions and stretches.

　　During the six-month experiment, scientists tested and assessed the cognitive abilities of both groups before and after the experiment, and found that those who participated in the walking activities had improved cognition.

　　Arthur F. Kramer, professor of psychology at Illinois State University, said: "Six months of exercise can improve your memory, decision-making and attention by 15% to 20%. At the same time, the capacity of many areas of the frontal and temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex is increased, and the activity of neural networks related to the cognitive abilities we study also becomes more efficient." ”

　　Other studies have also found that the body exercise Health regimen combined with cognitive training can indeed improve cognitive abilities. But skeptics say there is no evidence that intellectual stimulation can prevent symptoms such as Alzheimer's disease.

　　These tricks are beneficial and harmless

　　But most scientists agree that engaging in some types of physical and mental activity is at least beneficial. These activities include regular physical exercise, engaging in interesting jobs, volunteering, receiving continuing education, participating in social interactions, paying attention to a healthy diet, trying and accepting new things, etc.

　　Regular physical exercise improves brain function, both by increasing blood flow to the brain and by stimulating the synthesis of hormones and neurodevelopmental factors associated with the generation of new nerve cells. Animal experiments have found that physically active animals have better memories and have more cells in the hippocampus. Exercise can also protect against diseases such as type 2 diabetes, which can increase the risk of dementia. Hyperlipidemia Hypertension affects cardiovascular health and needs to be controlled.

　　It can also be beneficial to find intellectual stimulation through interesting work, volunteering, or continuing education, such as traveling, reading, learning a foreign language, or playing a musical instrument. Staying social is also good for your brain health because it is an effective stress reliever. Dr. McEwen said: “Long-term stress can cause confusion in areas of the brain related to emotion, memory, and decision-making, making the brain more prone to anxiety and depression, unable to make flexible decisions, and the amount of information stored is also reduced. ”Most scientists recommend a Mediterranean diet, which includes fish, nuts containing omega-3 fatty acids, fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, olive oil, and possibly some red wine (lingonberries are also recommended). Some scientists also recommend against playing sports like football because of the risk of brain injuries ； Stay away from insecticides and mosquito repellents that contain neurotoxic substances ； Don't drink too much alcohol.