New guidelines released by the American Academy of Neurology claimed that regular exercise may improve thinking ability and boost memory, possibly delaying the onset of dementia.
There is currently no medication available to improve brain health, so the best way to battle cognitive decline is to actively prevent the worsening of its symptoms.
Exercising To Improve Thinking Ability, Boost Memory
There are at least 2.4 million Americans that are estimated to have mild cognitive impairment, and by 2060, the number is expected to balloon to at least 5.7 million.
To help improve the thinking ability and boost the memory of aging people suffering from MCI, exercise has been determined as a possible recommendation by the American Academy of Neurology.
In new guidelines published in the Neurology journal, doctors should recommend patients with MCI to exercise regularly as part of the overall management of the symptoms. According to six-month studies, workouts twice a week could possibly improve memory.
"It's exciting that exercise may help improve memory at this stage, as it's something most people can do and of course it has overall health benefits," said Ronald C. Petersen, the lead author of the study from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and a fellow of the AAN.
According to Petersen, 150 minutes per week of exercise such as light aerobics or even just walking should be enough for people who are starting to experience the symptoms of MCI.
"If we can push it back two, three, five, years, that's a big deal," he told Newsweek.
Difference Between Mild Cognitive Impairment And Dementia
Mild cognitive impairment, however, should not be confused with dementia. People suffering from MCI, unlike those with dementia, are capable of doing routine tasks such as preparing their own meals and getting themselves dressed. What people with MCI have trouble with are things such as remembering where they left their car keys or the date and time of appointments.
MCI, however, sometimes leads to dementia and the dreaded Alzheimer's disease. If exercise can improve the symptoms of MCI, then it may also delay the onset of dementia.
Different Methods To Prevent Dementia
In addition to the new guidelines issued by the American Academy of Neurology, there are various studies into methods of possibly preventing and delaying dementia.
Recent studies revealed that eating leafy greens and playing video games such as Super Mario 64 may help in preventing the onset of dementia. Another study, meanwhile, claimed that simply getting married helps in lowering the risk of dementia.