Brain Health: Stay smart with exercise

By Dr. John

The authors of a new report published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings reviewed 1,600 articles on the role exercise in cognitive function and found 130 studies pertinent to the issue. According to Medscape Neurology, the lead author, neurologist J. Eric Ahlskog, MD, PhD, notes:

Normal aging is associated with brain shrinkage, and this appears to be primarily mediated by progressive loss of synapses and related neuronal connections (the 'neuropil').

Dr. Ahlskog summarized the findings: 

We concluded that you can make a very compelling argument for [aerobic] exercise as a disease-modifying strategy to prevent dementia and mild cognitive impairment, and for favorably modifying these processes once they have developed.

While the type and amount of exercise varied among the studies, to Dr. Ahlskog, the studies suggests increasing "the heart rate to about 60% of maximum" in several sessions for a total about 150 minutes each a week. Even though the literature on resistance training was "less extensive", Dr. Ahlskog noted it was also beneficial. Cyrus Raji, MD, PhD of the University of Pittsburgh, not a participant in the study, concurred: 

While the majority of the evidence shows that aerobic physical activity is the best type of physical activity for this purpose, resistance training with weights may also be helpful.

Dr. Raji's impression of the study:

This paper nicely summarizes all of the latest evidence showing how regular physical activity can promote better brain health with aging and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Paleolithic Nutrition: Alzheimer’s and Diet

Americans over the age of 65 have a one in a million chance of winning the lottery, and a one in eight chance of developing Alzheimer’s.

Dr. John
Lecture: New Research on the Role of Nutrition in Neurological Function

By John Michael

There are currently 5.4 million people with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States, and “barring medical breakthroughs,” by 2050 that number is projected to grow to as much as sixteen million. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2011 Facts and Figures, “between 2000 and 2025, some states and regions across the country are expected to experience double-digit percentage increases in the overall number of people with Alzheimer’s.” Nor is the United States alone in experiencing an increase in this disease. A recent study reported a growth in the number of cases in Beijing, and in Britain the Prince of Wales last year warned of a coming epidemic. 

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Short Takes: Alzheimer's, PMS, Chronic Diseases

Does Alzheimer’s Disease start in the liver?

According to ScienceDaily, a recent study in The Journal of Neuroscience Research suggests the liver might be the source of beta amyloid found in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Unexpected results from a Scripps Research Institute and ModGene, LLC study could completely alter scientists' ideas about Alzheimer's disease -- pointing to the liver instead of the brain as the source of the "amyloid" that deposits as brain plaques associated with this devastating condition.

This unexpected finding holds promise for the development of new therapies to fight Alzheimer's."

(Maybe it also point the way to understading the cause. Is AD a dietary disease?)

Using a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease the investigators found “significant concentrations of beta amyloid might originate in the liver, circulate in the blood, and enter the brain. If true, blocking production of beta amyloid in the liver should protect the brain.”

Source
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110303134435.htm

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