What part does exercise play in preventing Alzheimer’s disease?
Exercise is the heart of The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription. It is essential for many reasons. First, exercise reduces stress and balances one’s hormones. It puts the hormonal symphony back in balance by increasing growth hormone, testosterone, thyroid and estrogen which plummet as we age. Next, it reduces the aging and fat producing stress hormone cortisol. It stimulates dopamine, providing a runner’s high. Second, brawn increases brain cells. Memory is stored in the cell connections called dendrites. An important nerve growth factor is produced when we exercise, that increases the number of cells and its connections in the hippocampus, where the memory and learning in the brain take place. Third, exercise increases lean muscle mass and decreases fat mass. Lean muscle burns three-five times the calories that fat does. Yes, those good-looking muscular men and women burn calories just by looking good to the chagrin of the couch potatoes. An increase in abdominal fat causes a vicious fat
