Make a Better Brain With Exercise
onditions of the brain that cause, or have the potential to cause, dementia-like illnesses are at epi- demic proportions. Some estimates say 135 million people in the US will become afflicted with some form of dementia by the year 2050. And, this is probably on the low end considering the rapid rise in obe- sity and diabetes, both of which can have devastating effects on brain health. Research on the advantages of exer-
C
cise for improving brain function have fi- nally put the kibosh on the myth of the dumb jock. Yes, it is safe to say that people who exercise regularly have better brains, and are continuously optimizing their brain function as long as they stay physi-
cally active. Physical activity is shown to give one, no matter their age, a younger and healthier brain. Exercise has many direct positive effects on the brain, includ- ing, but not limited to, increasing cerebral blood flow, promoting neuronal growth and balancing neurochemicals. It has a multitude of indirect effects, such as blunt- ing the negative effect of stress hormone (cortisol) on brain atrophy and function, quelling anxiety, and promoting a strong anti-depressant effect. Also, the dogma that existed just a few
decades ago, that the brain has a finite number of neurons and cannot grow new ones, has been shown to be absolutely false. Yes, throughout life the brain creates
and grows new neurons (known as neuro- genesis), and exercise greatly potentiates this effect. With what we know now, exercise is clearly the best way to reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline and neuro- degeneration. No medication even comes close to what exercise does for your brain. Furthermore, exercise has been shown to prevent and improve almost all neuro- logical diseases and disorders such as:
Parkinson's Disease Alzheimer's Disease Stroke recovery Depression/Anxiety ADHD
Age-related Cognitive Decline Schizophrenia Multiple Sclerosis
Bose Ravenel, MD Dr. Bose Ravenel is a pediatrician
with a total of 31 years’ experience in private pediatric practice and 11 years in academic pediatrics. He of- fers an integrative and functional medicine approach to ADD/ADHD and other chronic health problems. Well known and highly respected
www.RobinhoodIntegrativeHealth.com Bose Ravenel, MD
in clinical and academic circles, we are honored to have him join our practice.
336.768.3335 26
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The Hippocampus The one area of the brain that has the
most research in terms of how exercise affects it, is the hippocampus. The hip- pocampus belongs to the limbic system and plays a major role in short and long- term memory, spatial navigation, and conflict processing. It is located in the brain under the cerebral cortex and resides in the two medial portions of the temporal lobe. This is a wonderful thing because if one side no longer functions, then the other hippocampi can take over. Recent evidence has shed light on the
mechanisms within the brain and hippo- campus of how exericse improves brain function and cognition. The main mechan- sims are:
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