Boosting Brain Health: The Power of Movement Against Dementia
Table of Contents
- 1. Boosting Brain Health: The Power of Movement Against Dementia
- 2. The 150-Minute Rule: A Prescription for Cognitive Resilience
- 3. Moving Beyond Medication: Lifestyle as a Primary defense
- 4. Aerobic Exercise: Fueling the Brain for Longevity
- 5. The Brain-Body Connection: Benefits Beyond Physicality
- 6. Taking Action: Embracing Movement for a Healthier Future
- 7. What specific types of exercise do you find most beneficial for brain health?
- 8. Boosting Brain Health: The Power of Movement Against Dementia
- 9. The 150-Minute Rule: A Prescription for Cognitive Resilience
- 10. Moving Beyond Medication: Lifestyle as a Primary defense
- 11. Aerobic exercise: Fueling the Brain for Longevity
- 12. The Brain-Body Connection: Benefits Beyond Physicality
- 13. Taking Action: Embracing Movement for a Healthier Future
Dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative condition, presents significant challenges, impacting memory, cognitive function, and daily life.But there’s hope. Regular exercise emerges as a potent weapon in the fight against dementia, offering a simple yet impactful strategy to mitigate its effects and promote brain health.
The 150-Minute Rule: A Prescription for Cognitive Resilience
Experts advocate for the “150-minute rule,” a guideline recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.This can substantially reduce dementia risk and slow cognitive decline in those already diagnosed.
Moving Beyond Medication: Lifestyle as a Primary defense
“To slow down the process of dementia, there are no medicines but mainly lifestyle modifications.to prevent the onset of dementia, you will need to start at the age of at least 35 to 40 years,” advises dr. Kaustubh Mahajan, Consultant Neurologist at PD Hinduja Hospital and MRC, Khar, Mumbai. While medications might address symptoms, lifestyle changes form the cornerstone of prevention and management.
Aerobic Exercise: Fueling the Brain for Longevity
Neha Sinha, Dementia Specialist and co-founder & CEO, Epoch Elder Care, emphasizes the transformative impact of movement: “Every fading memory or moment of confusion can be testing for elders with dementia. Despite being progressive in nature, the effects of dementia can be managed with something simple yet impactful. The 150 minutes a week, spread across small and manageable physical exercise sessions, can reduce the risk of dementia significantly.” Simple activities like a morning walk, light stretching, or dancing contribute to improved circulation, reduced brain inflammation, and a boost in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein plays a vital role in neuron growth and resilience.
Dr. mahajan echoes this sentiment, stating, “As movements stop, cognitive decline increases; for example, as COVID lockdowns, we saw many elderly people presenting with symptoms of forgetfulness much earlier than otherwise they woudl have, causing an increase in the incidence of patients with dementia,” he notes. He further explains that brain evolution has always been intertwined with movement, with motor functions driving brain upgrades.
The Brain-Body Connection: Benefits Beyond Physicality
Beyond physical benefits, exercise fosters social interaction and a sense of purpose, particularly crucial for individuals with dementia.”Beyond the physical advantages, these activities also foster social interaction and a sense of purpose among elders with dementia. Such mindful, consistent steps can create a lasting impact, empowering elders with dementia with a superior quality of life,” says Sinha.
Taking Action: Embracing Movement for a Healthier Future
Adopting the 150-minute rule is a proactive step towards safeguarding cognitive health. Prioritizing movement and engaging in regular exercise not only enhances physical well-being but also supports long-term cognitive resilience, ensuring a higher quality of life even in the face of dementia. So, lace up your shoes, find an activity you enjoy, and start moving towards a healthier, brighter future for your brain.
What specific types of exercise do you find most beneficial for brain health?
Boosting Brain Health: The Power of Movement Against Dementia
The 150-Minute Rule: A Prescription for Cognitive Resilience
Experts advocate for the “150-minute rule,” a guideline recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.This can substantially reduce dementia risk and slow cognitive decline in those already diagnosed.
Moving Beyond Medication: Lifestyle as a Primary defense
“To slow down the process of dementia, there are no medicines but mainly lifestyle modifications.to prevent the onset of dementia, you will need to start at the age of at least 35 to 40 years,” advises dr. Kaustubh Mahajan, Consultant Neurologist at PD Hinduja Hospital and MRC, Khar, Mumbai. While medications might address symptoms, lifestyle changes form the cornerstone of prevention and management.
Aerobic exercise: Fueling the Brain for Longevity
Neha Sinha, Dementia Specialist and co-founder & CEO, Epoch Elder Care, emphasizes the transformative impact of movement: “Every fading memory or moment of confusion can be testing for elders with dementia. Despite being progressive in nature, the effects of dementia can be managed with something simple yet impactful. The 150 minutes a week, spread across small and manageable physical exercise sessions, can reduce the risk of dementia significantly.” Simple activities like a morning walk, light stretching, or dancing contribute to improved circulation, reduced brain inflammation, and a boost in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein plays a vital role in neuron growth and resilience.
Dr. mahajan echoes this sentiment, stating, ”As movements stop, cognitive decline increases; such as, as COVID lockdowns, we saw many elderly people presenting with symptoms of forgetfulness much earlier than otherwise they woudl have, causing an increase in the incidence of patients with dementia,” he notes. He further explains that brain evolution has always been intertwined with movement, with motor functions driving brain upgrades.
The Brain-Body Connection: Benefits Beyond Physicality
Beyond physical benefits, exercise fosters social interaction and a sense of purpose, particularly crucial for individuals with dementia.”beyond the physical advantages, these activities also foster social interaction and a sense of purpose among elders with dementia. Such mindful, consistent steps can create a lasting impact, empowering elders with dementia with a superior quality of life,” says Sinha.
Taking Action: Embracing Movement for a Healthier Future
Adopting the 150-minute rule is a proactive step towards safeguarding cognitive health. Prioritizing movement and engaging in regular exercise not only enhances physical well-being but also supports long-term cognitive resilience, ensuring a higher quality of life even in the face of dementia.So, lace up your shoes, find an activity you enjoy, and start moving towards a healthier, brighter future for your brain.
Dr. Mahajan, what specific types of exercise do you find most beneficial for brain health?
Neha, you mentioned the 150-minute rule. for someone who’s currently not very active, what are some practical ways to gradually incorporate more movement into their daily routine?
What are some of the unexpected benefits of physical activity on dementia that surprised you most?
