According to the article a University of Washington study showed a 30 to 40 percent decrease in risk of Alzheimers with moderate exercise.
The article says, "Even if you're 75 and never exercised before, you can still benefit by starting to exercise now."
Not surprisingly increasing blood flow to the brain, by exercising, is a good thing and may actually help repair damage caused by poor blood flow.
As they say what's good for your heart is good for your brain...and other organs as well.
This Alzheimer's Association article - Break a Sweat for Your Brain has even better news for middle aged folks -
"Middle-aged individuals who exercise vigorously enough to perspire and breathe hard for 20 to 30 minutes at least twice a week may reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 60 percent, according to a Lancet Neurology study released online Oct. 4, 2005."
“It’s looking more and more as if getting off the couch is one of the best things you can do for yourself,” says William H. Thies, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association vice president, medical and scientific affairs. “Exercise has strong benefits for your heart and overall well-being, and this study adds to a growing body of evidence that it also plays a vital role in keeping your brain healthy. This work is in line with other research suggesting a relatively modest amount of effort can have a big impact. You don’t have to run marathons.”
