A person with mental fitness recognizes the importance of energizing his or her brain. Brain stimulation through cognitive exercises and training is one way to energize and develop a healthy brain.
Martha Kerr from Reuters reported on a study entitled " Exercise Improves Brain Flow and Older Adults". In older individuals,
The researchers reported "exercise is associated with an increase in the number of large-diameter vessels in the cerebral region of the brain and with an increase in blood flow in the three major cerebral arteries".
Also the researchers noted "narrowing and loss of small vessels may contribute to cognitive decline. This area of the brain controls functions that include consciousness, memory, initiation of activity, emotional response, language and word associations".
The study included 12 healthy adults with no cognitive decline or psychiatric diagnoses. The adults were between the ages of 60 to 80. Six of the adults had exercise for over three hours a week for over a 10 year.. The other six adults had exercised less than one hour a week during the same time.
"Active subjects had more small blood vessels and greater cerebral blood flow than inactive individuals", reported the researcher from the University of North Carolina, Feraz Rahman.
"We also found that a loss of small vessels is not an issue in active adults, because the average vessel size increases and blood flow is positively correlated with radius. However, in inactive adults, the number of small vessels is an issue."
Rahman's group concluded: "An aerobic exercise program may be a vital part of healthy aging by preventing the narrowing and loss of small cerebral vessels and consequent decrease in cerebral blood flow."
If we want to be mentally and physically fit, it is important to stimulate our brains with regular physical and cognitive exercises.
Remember, We Will Live within the Mind Created by Our Choices!
Dr. Hal
Life and Mental Fitness Coach

Recent Comments