In this article, Dr. Williams opines on new study on benefits of physical activity on brain health.
Article Links: New Study Says Exercise Boosts Brain Function No Matter Your Age
While science has made it clear that regular exercise is important for your health, it can be tricky to find time to squeeze in workouts—especially with a full to-do list. But a new massive study spells out one more reason to make exercise a priority: It can boost your brain function, no matter how old you are.
Exercise stimulates the creation of new neurons (i.e., nerve cells) in the hippocampus—an area of the brain that’s vital for memory and learning, says Vernon Williams, MD, sports neurologist and founding director of the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles, California.2 Physical activity also encourages neuroplasticity, which is your brain’s ability to create new connections, Dr. Williams adds.3
Exercise can also affect your mental and emotional health, too. Working out triggers the release of neurotransmitters (i.e., chemical messengers that travel between nerve cells) like dopamine and serotonin, “which play crucial roles in mood, motivation, and cognitive function,” according to Dr. Williams.4,5
Finally, Dr. Williams says that exercise can help lower inflammation in the brain, which is linked to everything from brain fog to cognitive decline.6
Read the full article here.
