•July 17, 2024•

By Cheri Burcham

Family Life Educator

I do a lot of brain health programming and will almost always mention that physical exercise is very beneficial for your brain. I saw this article written by Albert Bang who was a Physical Activity Promotion intern with the Integrated Health Disparities program during Spring 2024 and wanted to share with you. Albert says: You know exercise is good for your heart, lungs, muscles, and bones, but recently experts are finding increasing evidence showing that exercise is good for your brain too – including reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.  Whether choosing what to eat, discussing a book with a friend, or remembering where you left the car keys, the brain plays a vital role in your daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. For those with Alzheimer’s, chemical changes occur in the brain leading to a buildup of plaques and decreased functioning of neurons. As Alzheimer’s progresses, the brain shrinks in size accompanied by a decline in cognitive function so severe it begins to affect an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks. Alzheimer’s affects an individual’s memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms tend to appear after age 60, although early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur in younger adults. Although the exact causes of Alzheimer’s are not fully understood, a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors are involved. This means that while you might have a genetic predisposition to develop Alzheimer’s, there are actions you can take to reduce your risk. 

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