Can Physical Fitness Slow the Effects of Dementia?

Researchers have studied the different ways exercise affects the brain before, but a new study has looked at how fitness affects the brain in the later years of life. Studies show that exercise can reduce the risk of developing dementia in later life. This new study looked specifically at the effects of physical fitness on the development of dementia in older adults.

Numerous studies over the years have shown that regular physical exercise can strengthen the body’s immune system. Exercise has also been proven to help increase brain function, which is why it only makes sense that regular exercise could help slow down the effects of dementia. Those who continue to exercise during their later years may live longer than those who don’t; in fact, a recent study found a strong correlation between exercise and diabetes prevention and a few more medical conditions, which may mean exercise also protects the brain from dementia and other cognitive problems.

How to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias

Physical activity

Physical activity is essential to a healthy lifestyle. The more physically active you get, the better your overall health will be. But making sure that you get enough physical activity can be a challenge. Many people try to keep up with their activity goals by going to the gym every day or going for a walk three times a day. But, finding time for these activities every day can be problematic for a busy person. However, creating a routine that consists of regular exercise may be beneficial, especially for those nearing their 60s. This could be due to the fact that a maintained level of fitness while young could ensure higher mobility and overall fitness as we grow older. With a reduced chance of developing heart conditions, a smoother digestive function, and a steadily maintained metabolism, there would be a lower risk of developing diseases, suggesting that life as a senior citizen would be relatively easier. When receiving homecare for the elderly, activities would also tend to be smoother, as there may be better synchrony with the assistant on duty when it comes to performing daily functions and tasks.

Eating healthily

Eating healthy food is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Good nutrition allows your body to function at its best. Healthy eating patterns help you to lose fats, maintain a healthy weight and protect against certain diseases.

Don’t smoke

Smoking is bad for your health. Even second-hand smoke is dangerous and can be detrimental to the health of those around you. Smokers experience a wide range of serious health problems. Smoking can contribute to emphysema, lung cancer, and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also damages the blood vessels, which can cause high blood pressure and damage the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Drink less alcohol

Alcoholism is a chronic disease. When you struggle with it, the first order of business is to stop drinking. One accurate way to measure your progress is by calculating your drinking units, or DU. A drinking unit is defined as one drink in a 14-day period. It is calculated by multiplying the number of drinks you drink per day by the number of days in the month you drink. For example, if you drink one beer and one glass of wine per day for 4 days in a month, that would equal 4 DU.

Stay mentally and socially active.

Staying mentally active is an important part of ageing well. Elderly people suffering from dementia often require full-time assistance and Senior Home Care. Also, lack of interaction and loneliness exacerbate dementia. Your brain needs stimulation to avoid memory loss and other brain diseases. Staying socially active also keeps your brain healthy. Senior members of society could do that by engaging with like-minded enlightened fellows of their age. It is one of the founding philosophies by which many institutions such as the Chelsea Senior Living and similar establishments of hospice, greatly renowned. Active stimulus at older ages is, therefore, of mighty benefit. That is why it is a preferred retirement choice of many. The Alzheimer’s Association concurs and states explicitly: “Keep your mind engaged. Engage your brain in mentally stimulating activities, such as learning new things, reading, doing puzzles, playing trivia games, or making music.”

Take control of your health.

Take control of your health. That phrase sounds easier said than done, but it’s true. Your health is in your hands, and the longer you wait to do something about your health, the harder it will be. The key to taking control is to set goals.

The benefits of physical fitness are associated with a reduction in dementia symptoms. To date, there is no cure for treating dementia, and it can only be managed through lifestyle changes, receiving support from care providers (available at centers like care for family), and physical activity. As a result, all precautions should be taken in order to prevent this disease.

In conclusion, regular exercise can help improve physical and mental health, and can help reduce the symptoms of dementia. It can also help to delay the onset of dementia in people who are at risk. One study found that people who exercised regularly had smaller brain volumes than those who didn’t. Researchers found that the right hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with memory, shrank by 6.6 percent in sedentary participants over 15 years. The hippocampus also shrank by 5.3 percent in regular exercisers. This finding suggests exercise slows age-related shrinkage of the hippocampus.