Editor's Note: This article was written following the presentation of an ABC news story that proclaimed exercise, done for a few minutes three times a week, would prevent Alzheimer's. Sounds great! But it's just not enough. Not enough exercise, and no focus at all on the other strategies that have been proven to prevent dementia.
Please do exercise, but make it long enough and often enough, and don't forget things like diet, supplements, and brain stimulation. They're just as important.
Exercise Not Enough to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
By Phyllis Staff
ABC News' January 16, 2006, story on preventing Alzheimer's may have led some viewers to the conclusion that regular exercise is all they need to prevent Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, exercise is just not enough.
An examination of medical research studies over the past five years finds that preventing Alzheimer's and other dementias rests on a combination of six core lifestyle strategies.
Focusing on only one strategy will leave people vulnerable to developing dementia later in life
The Core Strategies
The core strategies include avoidance of environmental pollution, a regular exercise routine, a nourishing diet, a program of vitamin and herbal supplementation, regular brain stimulation, a satisfying work and social life, and consistent spiritual practice. An effective program to prevent Alzheimer's must include all six.
This is not to minimize the value of exercise. It does provide a degree of protection. Research has shown dramatic differences in the later development of dementia between groups of people who exercise at least five times a week and those who exercise little or never. Exercising regularly is an important strategy.
However, a number of famous athletes, for example Sugar Ray Robinson (fighter) and Betty Swartz (distance runner), have died from Alzheimer's disease. Such deaths suggest that exercise alone may not be enough to prevent Alzheimer's.
Like physical exercise, mental stimulation and brain exercises, such as problems, puzzles, and games, are also important, but, by themselves, they may also fall short. President Ronald Reagan had problems to solve every day. He was highly involved in the world community and, presumably, had a satisfying, although stressful, job. Yet he succumbed to Alzheimer's disease.
Admittedly, the experiences of a few famous individuals do not prove the effectiveness of a particular strategy. Studies of large populations, such as the Swedish twins study, however, do prove their effectiveness. Such studies show that each of the six strategies plays a part in whether people develop dementia.
Individual differences, such as genetic tendencies, long-term exposure to environmental pollutants, and chronically high levels of stress, also influence the development of dementias. However, it is possible to ease or even overcome such individual differences by using a consistent program of prevention including all six core strategies.
Use a gradual approach when putting each strategy into place.
The easiest and most effective way is to focus on only one strategy for 6 weeks to two months. People should learn the techniques within one strategy, and practice the ones they find most appealing and effective. Only when using those techniques becomes a habit, is it time to move on to the next strategy.
After a year, all core strategies will be in place. The significant improvements these strategies create will not only prevent dementia but will also cut the risk of many other diseases associated with aging.___________________________
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