Let's Prevent Confused

Walking regularly with a distance of about 10 kilometers per week may be one way to prevent brain shrinkage and against dementia or senility.

A study of 300 people in Pittsburgh, United States, showed that those who regularly walk at least six miles or 9.6 kilometers per week less likely to suffer brain shrinkage due to aging, compared to those who walked less than that.

Shrinkage of brain volume in the elderly cause memory problems. Our findings should encourage the right kind of physical exercise for the elderly. This becomes a promising approach to preventing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, it can slowly kill brain cells. Engage in various activities such as walking has been shown to increase brain volume.

Erickson and his team conducted research to prove whether they are diligent walk has a better bargaining value in combating the disease. They also perform a study of 299 volunteers by way of non-dementia routinely record how far they walk in a week.

Nine years later, researchers took brain images of each of the respondents to measure their brain volume. After four more years, they re-tested to see if there are respondents who experience cognitive impairment or dementia.

The review found that people who walk approximately six to nine miles or 9.6 km-14, 4 miles in a week have a risk of memory impairment 50 percent less than those who walk less than that in a week.

"Our results in line with the data indicates that aerobic activity can stimulate physiological processes that increase the volume of gray matter (gray matter)," according to the research team.

They recognize the need for further research on the impact of exercise on people with dementia. However, in the absence of effective treatment for Alzheimer's, walking may be one thing that can help.

"If regular exercise for middle-aged people can improve the health of the brain and improve memory and thinking later in life, it's just one reason to exercise regularly at every age group, an effort to improve public health," said Erickson.

Currently, there are no drugs that can stop the progression of Alzheimer's, which currently affects more than 26 million people in the world.