Thursday, February 04, 2010

Reversing Memory Loss

I know this will grab a lot of you with NF2 and other brain tumors or head injuries as memory loss and disruption in cognitive function is a very common side effect of these disorders. The following was taken by Dr. Mercola's newsletter today. I have included the link to read his full article if you are interested. Aside from the physcial health benefits, regular exerise is also good for your mind (especially the lot of us with brain disorders already).

Moderate physical activity performed in midlife or later appears to be associated with a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment -- and a six-month high-intensity aerobic exercise program can improve cognitive function in individuals who already have the condition.

Each year, 10 percent to 15 percent of individuals with mild cognitive impairment will develop dementia, as compared with 1 percent to 2 percent of the general population.

Physical exercise may protect against mild cognitive impairment by means of the production of nerve-protecting compounds, greater blood flow to the brain, improved development and survival of neurons and the decreased risk of heart and blood vessel diseases.


Sources:

Eurekalert January 11, 2010


Archives of Neurology January 2010;67(1):71-9


Archives of Neurology January 2010;67(1):80-6


Click here to read Dr. Mercola's article discussing the connection between exercise and cognitive function.

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