Why Exercise Boosts Brainpower

aditi sends us a report from Reuters on research indicating that exercise boosts brainpower by building new brain cells in a brain region linked with memory and memory loss. Quoting: "Tests on mice showed they grew new brain cells in a brain region called the dentate gyrus, a part of the hippocampus that is known to be affected in the age-related memory decline that begins around age 30 for most humans. Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging scans to help document the process in mice — and then used MRIs to look at the brains of people before and after exercise. They found the same patterns, which suggests that people also grow new brain cells when they exercise."

Comments

Re:Back to Locke

[svendsen]

"Maybe it is? Either way, you probably shouldn't tell other people how to live their lives. :)".

Used to think that until i worked at an HOM. Most expensive problem in this country relating to healthcare...obesity and all its side effects. The top 5..all lifestyle choices (obesity, smoking, alcoholism, etc). So if my rates are going up cause of that you bet I am going to say something :-)

Re:Back to Locke

[vitaflo]

Really it's easier than that. It's just a numbers game. Take in less calories than you expend. That's all there is to it.

Re:Back to Locke

[bill_mcgonigle]

I don't have TIME to exercise AND eat good - I need food that is convient- that I don't need a fork and knife to eat.

I used to think that way - I decided back in October that I needed to fix my priorities and that there was very little more important to me than my health and the health of my family. It's been a re-adjustment, but with Ray Kurzweil's advice and a few hours a week of cooking I'm down 40 pounds (30 more to go) and feeling much better. My knees don't hurt, I'm skiing again, and my toe nails are white again. I realize, in retrospect, I was causing serious harm to my body, and I only get one.

I don't want to be preachy, and I fully support everybody's right to do whatever they want to their own bodies (just don't ask me to pay for it, OK?), but make sure you're evaluating it consciously and not out of habit (I was).