Neuroscience Links Exercise to Brain Health

We know exercise contributes to a person’s overall health and results in stronger muscles, a healthier heart and even a better night’s sleep. Now a neuroscientist is speaking up about the benefits exercise offers to our cognitive health. Wendy Suzuki, PhD, a neuroscientist and professor of Neural Science and Psychology in the Center for Neural Science at New York University, explains, “I’ve found that exercising is one of the most transformative things you can do to improve cognitive abilities, such as learning, thinking, memory, focus and reasoning — all of which can help you become smarter and live longer.”

Suzuki says each time we move our bodies’ beneficial neurotransmitters are released into the brain including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and acetylcholine, which transmits signals from nerve cells to target cells. These target cells may be in muscles, glands, or other nerves and can affect our sleep cycles, moods and concentration including a decrease in feelings of depression and anxiety. Research has shown it only takes as little as 10 to 30 minutes of exercise per day to elevate mood.

Another important study shows how exercise promotes neurogenesis (the birth of new brain cells) and improves the brain’s function. The longitudinal study out of Sweden spans 44-years, and reports “women who scored high on a fitness test in midlife were nearly 90 percent less likely than their moderately fit or unfit peers to develop dementia decades later.” Moreover researchers say the fittest women held dementia at bay at least 10 years longer than their peers. So the next question is how much exercise do we need to get results? Suzuki says to try for 90 to 120 minutes a week. This can be broken down in daily increments or three to four sessions a week.

For trusted assisted living Houston seniors can count on, take a look at the new MorningStar at River Oaks, the perfect community to comfortably and safely age in place. Seniors who do not yet require assistance with day-to-day care but love the sound of a supportive community and a more active social life may also be interested in River Oaks. If you are recovering from a surgical procedure or illness, ask about our respite care or short-term stays from one week up to a full month to see if we are a good fit. Visit our website for further pricing and availability and ask about our $10,000 in Savings for Early Depositors.

Source:

cnbc.com/2021/10/22/neuroscientist-shares-the-brain-health-benefits-of-exercise-and-how-much-she-does-a-week.html

alzforum.org/news/research-news/44-year-study-ties-midlife-fitness-lower-dementia-risk

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