A new study has made a major discovery about aging.
As we reported recently, a new study has figured out that to reverse aging, there may be one simple trick, and that’s the miracle of exercise. But why is this the case?
The study determined that cognitive decline could be delayed by as much as 10 years in those who conduct regular physical activities, according to a statement from the American Academy of Neurology. The study, which involved 876 people with an average age of 71, determined that the participants who exercised moderately or heavily performed better on tests of processing speed, episodic memory, semantic memory, and executive function — and with an aging population putting a greater strain on medical resources in the future, that’s an important discovery.
But why does exercise help with our cognitive faculties?
Although we don’t think of the brain as a muscle, it basically is. As we exercise more, bloodflow throughout our body improves, and one thing that is necessary to a high-functioning brain is good bloodflow. Exercising increases the heart rate, which results in more blood pumping to the brain and therefore more oxygen. It also releases hormones that help promote the growth of brain cells.
In addition, exercise also stimulates new connections between cells in the brain, making it easier for neuronal connections to grow.
Ever heard of a “runner’s high”? That’s when exercise causes pleasurable dopamine to be released in the brain, which is associated with more cell growth in the hippocampus.
So if you want a healthy brain, hit the gym or the trails, and do it for your entire life — you’ll reap some major benefits.
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