A lot of people have relatives who have been victims of Alzheimer’s disease. A great percentage of those who suffer the affliction are those who are 65 of age and above. It often becomes a burden to the children who have to give special care to their afflicted parents. It’s a disease that can strike fear in all of us and the worse thing about Alzheimer’s is that there is no known cure although there are available treatments to slow down its progression.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia. The latter is a broad category of brain diseases that cause a long-term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember that is great enough to affect a person’s daily functioning. About 60-80% of dementia cases are of the Alzheimer’s form. In older days, dementia has been a scourge to the aged because there is not much to be done to alleviate the conditions of those who suffer. They were literally losing their minds. Thank God for the present, as research has found ways to slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s. Studies have also discovered the factors that can raise or diminish the risks of contracting Alzheimer’s disease.
Some reports state that a regular exercise routine can decrease the risk of contracting Alzheimer’s by as much as 50%. Also, studies concluded that the effects of the disease can be slowed down on people who have begun to show cognitive issues. Exercise protects not only those with Alzheimer’s but other forms of dementia too. Exercising can serve as a stimulus to the brain’s capacity to maintain any old connections and make some new ones as well.
Make Exercise Part of One’s Daily or Weekly Routine. If possible, one should involve himself with intense workouts for about 2-3 hours each week. Include in the exercise regimen both strength and cardio training. But don’t do it all too abruptly. For beginners, one can start with swimming and walking exercises.
Go to the Gym and Start Pumping up Those Muscles. This can be achieved through moderate-impact resistance and weight training. Remember that in doing these, one will not only start to build muscle mass. He will also be maintaining his brain health. Those 65 and over should start including 2 or 3 strength sessions in their weekly workouts as these will reduce the risks of Alzheimer’s by as much as half.
