Exercise Your Choices
Getting stuck in an exercise rut could put body and mind at risk.
Repetitive exercise routines may cause overuse injuries, and new research shows they may hurt your mental health, too. According to a study, people 65 or older who engage in four or more different kinds of physical activities each week are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than people who participate in one or no activities.
The causes of Alzheimer's disease are unclear; the only clearly defined risk factors are advanced age and a family history of the disease. However, evidence suggests you may lower your risk of Alzheimer's with certain lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthful diet, exercising regularly, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities. Nutrients that may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C and E, folate, and flavonoids, such as those found in colorful fruits and vegetables, tea, and dark chocolate. A recent study suggests variety in exercise activities may be protective, but not in people who have the APO-E 4 variant of the apolipoprotein E gene, a gene implicated in Alzheimer's disease risk.
RealAge Benefit:
A physical activity program that builds stamina, strength, and flexibility can make your RealAge as much as 2.8 years younger.Physical activity, APOE genotype, and dementia risk: findings from the Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study. Podewils, L. J., Guallar, E., Kuller, L. H., Fried, L. P., Lopez, O. L., Carlson, M., Lyketsos, C. G., American Journal of Epidemiology 2005 Apr 1;161(7):639-651.
