How to Improve Memory and Brain Health

  • By Grappin Clinic
  • 09 Nov, 2020

Memory Loss in Older Adults

improve-memory-for-elderly-seniors
In recent times so much emphasis has been laid on staying healthy that it seems to be quite a sought after affair. Who doesn't want to stay active and healthy? But when it comes to older adults it could well be the need of the hour rather than a wishful desire. Staying active ensures not only a healthy body but a healthy brain also.

Exercise is known to be a good antidote of depression. It releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins, which boosts your mood. Studies have shown that exercise can make you happier, build stamina, and boost self-esteem.

In the elderly, the memory loss is associated with the shrinkage of a part of the brain, known as the hippocampus. Hippocampus is the part of the brain that assists in forming memories. Recent studies show that regular aerobic exercise may be helpful in slowing or even reversing the age-related memory loss in older adults. This happens as a result of an increase in the size of hippocampus resulting from exercise.
walking-for-health
Researchers found that one year of moderate aerobic exercise, like walking, increased the volume of the hippocampus by almost 2%, which resulted in an effective reversal of the age-related shrinkage of the hippocampus by one to two years.

The shrinkage of the hippocampus is considered as inevitable in elderly age by the experts, but the brain is believed to be modifiable even at this stage by them. They are sure that even one year of moderate exercise can increase the size of the hippocampus.

Exercise and the Brain

In the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers randomly chose 120 adults between the ages of 55 and 80 into one of two groups. One group followed an aerobic exercise program of walking around a track for 40 minutes a day, three days a week; the other group was assigned limited exercise restricted to stretching and toning exercises.

A year later the brain scans taken at the start of the study and those taken after a year showed that the right and left sides of the hippocampus increased by 2.12% and 1.97%, respectively, in the aerobic exercise group. However, on studying brain scans it was found that the right and left sides of the hippocampus decreased in volume in the other group by 1.40% and 1.43%, respectively.
senior-living-anti-aging
Some other tests of spatial memory function also showed marked improvements in the aerobic exercise group associated with this increase in hippocampus volume. The researchers also found increases in several markers related to brain health, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which resulted in a corresponding increase with the increase in hippocampus volume.

The results of this case study are particularly interesting in the sense that they suggest that even modest amounts of exercise by older adults can lead to substantial improvements in memory and brain health. Such improvements can have important implications for the health of the elderly and the ever-expanding population of older adults worldwide."
.
.
.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8379303
By Grappin Clinic April 29, 2025
What if you could reduce stress by visiting a chiropractor? And what if we said there are other notable benefits of chiropractic care that go beyond reducing aches and pains? Well, keep on reading if you want to know more.
By Grappin Clinic April 22, 2025
Do you want to know the keys to improving your quality of life and your body? Well, there are a few things that all of us can do every day that can help get us there.
By Grappin Clinic April 15, 2025
If you don’t know what you’re supposed to do after being in a car accident, with TBI or not, don’t worry. Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about TBI and car accident injuries.
By Grappin Clinic April 8, 2025
Personal injury attorneys often emphasize the significance of meticulous record-keeping and provide valuable tips for effectively documenting your injuries. This article explores why documenting your injuries is essential and offers practical advice for doing so.
By Grappin Clinic March 31, 2025
There are various types of massage therapies, including sports massage, trigger point massage, deep tissue massage, and Swedish massage. Although these treatments can range in pressure, they all offer invaluable benefits for the body, mind, and spirit. Read on for the top six benefits of massage therapy.
By Grappin Clinic March 25, 2025
Classic clues of an out-of-balance gut include: feeling tired much of the time, catching colds easily and more often, allergies, food sensitivities, and having frequent gastrointestinal issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation, etc.
By Grappin Clinic March 19, 2025
Chiropractic adjustments and techniques are a range of therapeutic approaches that are used to treat joint dysfunctions and musculoskeletal pain, as well as other health issues. Read on to learn if it's right for you...
By Grappin Clinic March 11, 2025
Are you looking for a new, effective way to improve your physical health? Medical massage therapy is here to provide the natural health benefits you need. From optimizing circulation to relieving muscle tension and inflammation, medical massage is a powerful treatment for pain reduction and overall wellness.
More Posts