Exercise: The Key to Reducing Alzheimer's Risk and Boosting Hormone Levels
Exercise has been found to have a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, with regular exercise alone cutting dementia risk by up to 45%. A new study reveals that exercise releases a hormone called irisin, which can clear toxic amyloid plaques in the brain that cause Alzheimer's disease. Exercise also improves cardiovascular health, which is important for brain health, and releases a molecule called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that helps neurons regenerate and become active. Any type of physical activity that elevates the heart rate, such as running, swimming, brisk walking, or playing sports, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia. Aim to do some sort of aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, five days per week, and try to complete around 10,000 steps per day. In the future, a synthetic version of irisin could potentially be used to create an exercise pill for the health benefits of exercise.
