The right exercise to generate new brains cells in Alzheimer's patients

In a recent study1, researchers found that exercise generates new brain cells in mice who have Alzheimer’s.  A quote:

“Beneficial effects on cognition can be blocked by the hostile inflammatory environment present in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease and that physical exercise can "clean up" the environment, allowing new nerve cells to survive and thrive and improving cognition in the Alzheimer's mice. In our study we showed that exercise is one of the best ways to turn on neurogenesis.”

The researchers sought to achieve the same results produced by exercise using drug and gene therapy.  This was met with limited success.  Comparing the two approaches they found: 

“We found the key difference was that exercise also turned on the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF -- known to be important for the growth and survival of neurons -- which created a more hospitable brain environment for the new neurons to survive."

Another quote: 

"It is not enough just to turn on the birth of new nerve cells, you must simultaneously 'clean up' the neighborhood in which they are being born to make sure the new cells survive and thrive. Exercise can achieve that."

The takeaway: Exercise results in neurogenesis (new neuron cells), and more BDNF creates a hospitable environment for those new cells to survive.  So what type of exercise produces the most of both? According to one study2 comparing continuous exercise versus high intensity training (HIT):

“The HIT protocol might represent an effective and preferred intervention for elevating BDNF levels and potentially promoting brain health.”

HIT is what we do at our Austin Strength Training facility. Our trainers have experience working with people of all ages and fitness levels. You can wait for effective drug and gene therapies to be developed to combat cognitive decline, or you can combat cognitive decline before it is too late.

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1 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180906141623.htm

2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26472862

Both had knee replacement surgery the same week but had very different outcomes

Jack and Marcus often played golf together, and just happened to have their knee replacement surgeries the same week.  Both surgeries were successful, but post-op Jack fared much better than Marcus.

For years prior to the surgery Jack rarely missed his weekly 30 minute strength training session at Kelly Personal Training.  Jack returned to this regimen as soon as he could post-surgery. Aside from a stint in rehab Marcus did no strength training before or after the surgery.

Two month’s post-surgery Jack, age 75, could get in and out of a bass boat on his own, while Marcus, age 70, was still using a walker to get around.  Jack quickly returned to playing 18 holes of golf. A year after surgery Marcus could play just nine holes and that was about it; the next day he was too rundown to play again.

Jack said he was running out of friends to golf with. He eventually talked Marcus into strength training.  Proper strength training will do more than increase your strength; you will protect your joints, truly increase your energy, and decrease pain and inflammation. 

A year later Marcus was playing 18 holes of golf, and the next day, he would play 18 holes again. Those 27 additional holes in that 48 hour period produced the added benefit of further increasing his fitness level.  He also was hitting the ball farther and enjoying golf again. Marcus had added quality years to his life, and it took just 30 minutes a week. 

Request a complimentary first session at Kelly Personal Training

 Click here to schedule a session to try it yourself

Complimentary first workout

*Before you stop by please call us. We operate by appointment.