Alzheimer’s Disease: Can Exercise Prevent Memory Loss?

Alzheimer’s disease is an ailment that can result in really uncomfortable scenarios, mostly involving memory loss. Here’s more on this.

Medical experts have recommended some ways to prevent this disease. Some of the recommendations are low alcohol intake, eating balanced meals including fruits and veggies, and abstinence from smoking.

However, there are speculations that exercising regularly can help reduce the risk of memory loss. We’ll be considering the subject in detail as we progress.

We also recommend visiting Alzheimer’s Blog to learn more about this disease.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological ailment that affects an individual’s brain, causing it to shrink gradually and its cells to die. This shrinking process causes a decline in the affected individual’s thinking and behavioral patterns.

In most cases, this usually results in dementia, making the person incapable of functioning independently.

This disease is believed to be caused by excessive buildup of proteins in the brain’s cells. Some common proteins involved in this condition are amyloid and tau.

Deposits of these proteins in and around the brain form plaques and tangles within and around the brain cells.

This results in a decrease in the neurotransmitters available in the nervous system. A neurotransmitter majorly affected by this ailment is known as acetylcholine.

After a long while, parts of the brain begin to shrink due to the brain cells that are dying.

Common Causes Of Alzheimer’s Disease

Here’s what may cause Alzheimer’s disease:

1. Old age

Individuals above the age of 65 have an increased risk of having this disease. The risk factor constantly doubles with every 5 years increase from age 65.

Old age is known as one of the common causes of this ailment.

2. Genetic

Alzheimer’s disease is transferred genetically from parents to offspring in some cases. However, the risk with this cause is relatively low.

3. Down’s Syndrome

Down’s syndrome is commonly associated with genetic changes. This genetic change is also responsible for the deposition of amyloid plaques in an individual’s brain and can result in Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Severe Head Injuries

Individuals who have been involved in accidents with major head injuries have been found to experience symptoms of this Alzheimer’s disease. Note that extensive research is yet to be done in this area.

Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease

Here are the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Confusion and progressive memory loss;
• Reduced ability to learn;
• Diminished ability to organize and reason logically;
• Inability to pay attention for long;
• Memory loss;
• Difficulty in recognizing friends and family;
• Repetition of the same questions or statements;
• Lack of ability to communicate effectively;
• Acting on impulse;
• Unreasonable anger outburst;
• Increased difficulty in adapting to new situations.

Benefits Of Exercise Against Memory Loss?

Exercise has been proven to immensely benefit the human body both physically and mentally.

Moreover, studies have shown that regularly exercising can reduce the risk of suffering from a decline in brain function. Thus, it helps to reduce the risk of suffering from memory loss of Alzheimer’s disease.

Some of the mental benefits of regular exercise include the following:

• Boost your memory, judgment, and reasoning.
• It also improves the cognitive ability of people suffering from the mild symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Slow down the start of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals who have a family history.
• It supports the brain by enhancing blood flow to it and promotes the production of chemicals that help in protecting the brain.
• Exercising promotes the growth of the brain’s hippocampus (a part of the brain that is responsible for memory formation).

Other ways to prevent memory loss include:

1. Staying socially and mentally active by constantly learning new languages and skills.
2. Eating a balanced meal rich in vegetables and fruits.
3. Abstinence from smoking.
4. Avoiding activities that can lead to severe head injuries.

Conclusion

No one likes the experience of visiting a loved one only to discover that the person doesn’t recognize you anymore.

Alzheimer’s disease is common in individuals at old age and can still happen with younger people – but in rare cases.

However, you can still prevent the disease by exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet.

Also, we advise that you prevent activities such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake that can cause heart ailments, further resulting in memory loss.

Lastly, engage in activities that keep you mentally and socially active.