Scientific Study Shows How You Can Stay Mentally Sharp As You Age
How would you like to have a bigger, more powerful brain?
Sadly, the hippocampus, a part of the brain key to memory and sepcial navigation, is known to shrink as we age.
This shrinkage starts in late adulthood and is responsible for memory loss and impairment.
Now, There is New Hope
According to the Los Angeles Times, a new study published by the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has revealed, "a program of aerobic exercise, over the course of a year, can increase the size of the hippocampus... in adults ages 55-80."
In the study, 120 people from ages 55-80 who did not exercise previously were split into 2 groups; 60 were put into an aerobic exercise program that consisted of walking around a track . days a week for 40 minutes per session; and the other 60 did a program consisting of stretching and weights.
Results: According to the Los Angeles Times article, "The group doing aerobic exercise had increases in hippocampus volume: up 2.12% in the left hippocampus, and 1.97% in the right hippocampus. The stretching group, on the other hand, had decreased hippocampus volume: down 1.40% on the left and 1.43% on the right."
What's important to note is the article said it is never too late to start and it suggested that some very simple exercise programs may be a cost-effective way to treat a widespread health problem, without the side effects of medication.
How would you like to have a bigger, more powerful brain?
Sadly, the hippocampus, a part of the brain key to memory and sepcial navigation, is known to shrink as we age.
This shrinkage starts in late adulthood and is responsible for memory loss and impairment.
Now, There is New Hope
According to the Los Angeles Times, a new study published by the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has revealed, "a program of aerobic exercise, over the course of a year, can increase the size of the hippocampus... in adults ages 55-80."
In the study, 120 people from ages 55-80 who did not exercise previously were split into 2 groups; 60 were put into an aerobic exercise program that consisted of walking around a track . days a week for 40 minutes per session; and the other 60 did a program consisting of stretching and weights.
Results: According to the Los Angeles Times article, "The group doing aerobic exercise had increases in hippocampus volume: up 2.12% in the left hippocampus, and 1.97% in the right hippocampus. The stretching group, on the other hand, had decreased hippocampus volume: down 1.40% on the left and 1.43% on the right."
What's important to note is the article said it is never too late to start and it suggested that some very simple exercise programs may be a cost-effective way to treat a widespread health problem, without the side effects of medication.
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