As new research highlights the links between brain health and exercise, Professor Paul Matthews shares his tips
“The short answer is that scientists don’t know precisely but it is more likely than not a combination of factors,” says Matthews.
When muscles are active, they release molecules into the blood that improve the health of blood vessels: “These molecules then seem to have benefits for the brain.”Matthews recommends at least 20 minutes a day to see the effect. “Older people should contact their doctor about any exercise plan they might wish to undertake but any amount of regular exercise is beneficial. There isn’t a specific dose but typically a regular 20 minutes per day for older people makes a real difference.
Muscles are important for brain health. “The bigger the muscles are, the more they will help to protect the body from the bad effects of bad fats and sugar. Aerobic exercise is important for increasing cardiovascular fitness, which also helps the brain, but good muscle mass also improves the efficiency of aerobic exercise. So a combination is the right way to go.”
“Lungs are very important for activating immune cells that might travel to the brain, which might then impact the functions of the brain,” says Matthews. “That’s one of the things that we’re worried about with air pollution.”on the subject followed 6.6 million people and found a potential link between dementia and living close to busy roads. “It may well be that the nature of the immune response in the lung is changed by better aeration,” he explains.
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