(29-01-13) Evidence that physical activity and lifestyle help prevent Alzheimer's disease

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) An overwhelming amount of evidence has been released in
scientifically validated, peer reviewed research studies to confirm that many
chronic illnesses are not the result of natural aging, but rather years and
decades of sub-optimal nutrient intake, consumption of processed and synthetic
foods and exposure to environmental and household pollutants. Further evidence
is now released to confirm that lifestyle activities significantly contribute
to the development and progression of the devastating illness, Alzheimer's
disease.

A research team based at the University of California, Los Angeles has
reported the result of their examination on lifestyle activities and
Alzheimer's disease incidence to the Radiological Society of North America. The
scientists posit that an active lifestyle helps preserve gray matter in the
brains of older adults and could reduce the burden of dementia and Alzheimer's
disease.

This insidious disease that has no allopathic cure presently affects more than
35 million people worldwide, a number that is expected to double by the year
2030. To conduct the study, researchers assembled a cohort of 876 adults with
an average age of 78 years to assess how an active lifestyle can influence
brain structure and mental decline. The participants' mental state ranged from
those with no outward signs of cognitive decline, to include those with various
states of memory loss, up to and including Alzheimer's disease.

Regular physical activity increases brain volume to prevent cognitive decline
and Alzheimer's disease
Lead study author, Dr. Cyrus Raji noted "We had 20 years of clinical data on
this group, including body mass index and lifestyle habits... we drew our
patients from four sites across the country, and we were able to assess energy
output in the form of kilocalories per week." The lifestyle factors examined
included recreational sports, gardening and yard work, bicycling, dancing and
riding an exercise bicycle.

Researchers used MRI technology to determine the relationship between energy
output and grey matter volume in the brain. Dr. Raji said "Gray matter volume
is a key marker of brain health. Larger gray matter volume means a healthier
brain. Shrinking volume is seen in Alzheimer's disease." The researchers found
a strong association between energy utilization and gray matter volume in areas
of the brain crucial for cognitive function. Higher caloric expenditure related
to larger gray matter volumes in the memory and learning centers of the brain.

The scientists found a strong association between high energy output and
greater gray matter volume in patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD.
Dr. Raji concluded "What struck me most about the study results is that it is
not one but a combination of lifestyle choices and activities that benefit the
brain." Physical activity is a critical lifestyle component to maintain overall
body muscle tone and brain volume, and should be combined with a natural food
diet and avoidance of environmental pollutants to prevent Alzheimer's dementia.

Sources for this article include:

http://www2.rsna.org/timssnet/Media/pressreleases/pr_target.cfm?id=632
http://scienceblog.com
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-11/rson-alb111612.php

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