Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Exercise Prevents Brain Shrinkage

Exercise has been shown to be good for the heart. New research confirms it can also benefit the brain. Aerobic exercise reversed brain shrinkage, especially of the hippocampus, a structure associated with memory. The study included 120 people between their late 50s and early 80s who were sedentary. Those randomly assigned to exercise walked 40 minutes three times a week, while the others attended attended yoga and stretching sessions. After about a year, the scientists found through magnetic resonance imaging that the hippocampus in the walkers was larger, while it had shrunk in those just doing stretching.
[PNAS , online Jan. 31, 2011]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.