Train your brain while you move: Doctor reveals simple brain trick that could keep Alzheimer's away
A naturopathic doctor, Dr. Heather Sandison, who specialises in neurocognitive medicine, has greatly stressed the integration of physical and cognitive exercises to bolster brain health and potentially prevent and/or reverse Alzheimer's disease.
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Her unique approach of combining brain exercises with physical activity is called the 'dual-task' activity, which simultaneously engages the body and mind, thereby enhancing neuroplasticity and
. A journal published in the
, by Dr. Sandison, mentions the importance and working of this technique known as "dual-tasking".
The science behind dual-tasking
What Dr. Sandison means by dual tasking is an activity which involves performing physical and mental activities concurrently.
For instance, while you are out enjoying your morning walk, you can engage in conversation or solve puzzles, and the combination of the two is known as the cognitive effort. This synergy activates various brain regions, fostering new neural connections and strengthening existing ones.
If and when you engage in such practices that are particularly beneficial, as they mimic real-life scenarios, you prepare the brain to handle the complex tasks more efficiently and effectively.
Move more, think harder
Walking while talking, moving while memorising steps or balancing and solving math problem are not just multitasking tricks, they stimulate the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, motor cortex and basal ganglia–which are known to enhance memory, coordination, attention span and neuroplasticity, in turn this all helps to
and Alzheimer's. As we age, it is of utmost importance that we keep ourselves and our minds engaged, not to let our ability to make and form new connections deteriorate with time.
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Maintaining this flexibility becomes essential to delay or even prevent cognitive deterioration.
These four types of exercises that really work
highlights four main types of exercises that, when mixed with brain work, can significantly improve mental performance.
Aerobic exercises:
Anything that gets your heart to pump, walking, swimming, cycling. All of which also increases blood flow to your brain.
Cognitive exercises:
Solving puzzles, playing memory games (Sudoku, chess) or even learning a new language, help stretch the brain capacity.
Strength training
: Lifting weights or resistance training supports metabolic health and balances hormones, both of which are tied to brain function.
Balance and coordination:
Practising yoga, Tai chi and performing similar activities improves focus, proprioception and brain-body sync.
For instance, while you are on a treadmill, solve puzzle or play memory games, the results are found to be more profound. These small changes train the brain to handle complexity and keep it agile, which is something with often lose as we age.
A disease as fatal as Alzheimer's may not have a cure yet, but the science behind this is clear, prevention is better than a cure, and it is more powerful. By simply combining moving your body and engaging your mind, you can boost brain health and potentially lower your risk of cognitive decline.
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