Getting physical about your brain

Have you ever gone out for a walk to clear your head? You know it works, but do you know why?

Walking gets your heart to pump blood faster and carry oxygen and glucose, essential nutrients for keeping your brain in good working order, more efficiently to your brain. Walking also causes the release of neurotransmitters in the brain that improve mental performance and elevate mood.

Regular moderate exercise is not just for good brain maintenance; more and more studies are uncovering how it helps delay the onset or progression of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. 

Just ask Ann-Marie and Carl Wilson. Carl was diagnosed with dementia in 2006, but the couple, who are both in their 70s, attribute their life-long love of sports and daily walks in keeping Carl's dementia in check. For Ann-Marie, an active lifestyle has meant she's been able to better tackle the often overwhelming challenges of caring for someone living with dementia.

Fuel for your brain

Just how does exercise improve brain health? According to Dr, Jack Diamond, Scientific Director, Alzheimer Society of Canada, increased blood flow to the brain results in increased neurons. Why is that good? Simply put, your brain has the capacity of generating new brain cells. This process is called "neurogenesis" and affects mostly the hippocampus of the brain, the region responsible for learning and memory. A well-fuelled brain also helps reduce inflammation that makes brain cells 'sick' and eventually die, which could lead to dementia.

Better yet, says Dr. Diamond, exercise also helps increase growth factors in the brain. These growth factors are chemicals that expand the brain’s network of neurons. These networks or communications pathways help the brain process and retain information and transmit important messages back and forth. The stronger the connections, the better your brain will function as you age.

Activate your brain

But don't limit yourself to physical exercise, advises Dr. Diamond. It's the combination of increased blood flow through exercise and increased neural activity through problem-solving and learning new tasks that pushes your brain to grow and retain new brain cells. Whether it's playing bridge, reading, or learning a musical instrument, exposing your brain to new experiences or stimuli ensures a constant reserve of brain cells that can help the brain cope or compensate for memory decline or damage as a result of aging or dementia.

For the Wilsons, that means doing things that are rewarding and enjoyable such as volunteering at their local Alzheimer Society, public speaking, and finding the time for some ballroom dancing. "While I'm changing and there are things I can't do anymore," says Carl, "my dementia isn't progressing as quickly as it could be."