New research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference July 2010 shows without doubt that exercise improves your health and wellness into your 80’s by preventing the development of dementia. Get Moving is now the key to prevent heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and now dementia. Your health and wellness is in your hands and is determined by the lifestyle choices you make every day. Again, your lifestyle choices are more powerful than any pill your doctor could prescribe.
Researchers tracked more than 12,000 elderly people over 20 years. They found that participants who made moderate to intense exercise part of their life had a 40% less chance of developing any type of dementia or brain decline. They also found that the less active you are the more likely you are to develop dementia. The elderly who didn’t exercise on a regular basis were 45% more likely to get dementia than their exercising peers.
This study came out of Framingham MA and is part of the epidemiologic study that has followed people in the town since 1948 for heart disease and cognitive health. This is the largest and longest study of its kind – very impressive and you need to pay attention to the researchers’ conclusions.
We know that even 80 year olds who start and exercise program for the first time will see increased strength, muscle mass and heart health. And now there is evidence that exercise into your 80’s will prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease (or Old Timers disease as my patients call it) – a decline we all fear.
So remember, you have the power to control how you live, how you die and how well you remember the trip. Your brain needs regular exercise as much as your heart. You can prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis, and limit the pain of arthritis with the right exercise program. My book, GET MOVING! Live Better, Live Longer outlines programs designed specifically to fight these killers. And now you know as you take charge of your health and wellness that you will be able to remember the wonderful life you have created. So, get up off the couch and GET MOVING! for your heart and for your head.