Although exercise is usually promoted for weight loss and better heart health, there is growing evidence that regular physical activity helps ward off mental declines as people age, and may even protect against Alzheimer's disease. A new study out of Canada suggests that exercise cuts the risk of Alzheimer's and less-devastating mental losses, particularly in women.

In a 5-year study of men and women aged 65 and older, researchers found that exercisers were less likely to develop Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, and were less likely to see a drop-off in their mental abilities.

The more a person exercised, the greater the protection for the brain.

People with the highest activity levels were half as likely as inactive individuals to develop Alzheimer's, and were around 40% less likely to suffer any dementia or mental impairment, the report indicates.

Previous research has suggested exercise helps people retain their mental prowess as they age, and may even stave off Alzheimer's and other dementia. It has been suggested that because exercise helps maintain healthy blood flow and lowers high blood pressure and cholesterol, it may protect the brain just as it does the heart and other organs.

The investigators found that the more activity the nearly 5,000 study participants reported at the study's start, the less likely they were to suffer mental decline.

People who exercised vigorously at least three times per week were considered highly active and had the lowest Alzheimer's risk.

But those who engaged in light or moderate exercise also saw significant cuts in their risks for Alzheimer's and mental decline.

Women got the lion's share of these benefits. Although there was an association between exercise and lowered risk of mental decline among men, the researchers report, the link was not nearly as strong as that for women. The reasons are unclear.

Archives of Neurology March, 2001;58:498-504

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

This study appears to be the first to show such broad-ranging effects of exercise-protecting against both the profound dementia of Alzheimer's to less-serious dips in mental skills. The researchers believe it remains unclear what types of exercise are most beneficial and whether life-long exercise or exercise during old age is more important. However, simple prudent advice would seem reasonable. I don't believe that running marathons are necessary to achieve these benefits. More than likely 45-60 minutes of walking, along with some light weight training would be sufficient to provide the observed benefits. For individuals who are extremely exercise intolerant, a book I have been recommending is Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth which is a series of five exercises that are designed to improve vitality and energy flow in the body. I have been doing them myself for the last few months as a general guide. If you are truly interested in slowing down the aging process, then I highly recommend you get the "Secrets of Anti-Aging" telephone clinic. Co-hosted by me, and primarily led by Ron Rosedale, M.D., who is widely considered to be the leading anti-aging doctor in the country, the "Secrets of Anti-Aging" tele clinic will teach you ALL of the following: Five practical ways to improve your skin How to increase your energy as you age gracefully How to improve your aches and pains & overcome your loss of flexibility The role supplements play in preventing aging How to improve your memory and reverse your mental decline How you can reverse the factors causing you to age rapidly and MORE! Dr. Rosedale is extremely gifted in interpreting the complex basic science research into practical steps you can take to increase your longevity, and improve the way you feel - even if you suffer from a degenerative disease! Related Articles: Exercise Helps Fight Aging Exercise Benefits Fibromyalgia Patients Exercise Helps Blood Flow in Arteries