LET THE BENEFITS OF REGULAR EXERCISE GO TO YOUR HEAD!

FRESNO PERSONAL TRAINER: LET THE BENEFITS OF REGULAR EXERCISE GO TO YOUR HEAD!

(FRESNO, CA September 19, 2011) - Wednesday this week marks the annual World Alzheimer's Day, which focuses on prevention and treatment of this degenerative brain disorder that currently affects about 480,000 of California residents. 

While there is no cure at the present time, growing body of evidence suggests that physical exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent this invasive disease, which impairs memory and thinking skills. According to the Alzheimer's Research & Prevention 
Foundation (ARPF), over five million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's so far and, because the population of the U.S. is aging, the number of cases will continue to rise. 

"Fortunately, regular physical fitness can forestall the onset of this incurable condition," says John Galassie, a personal trainer at Valhalla Health Coaching in Fresno, CA. He points out to the data showing that exercise reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by as much as 50 percent.

"Not only that, but regular exercise can also slow down the progression of this disease in people who have already started to develop cognitive problems," Galassie adds.

How does physical activity help prevent Alzheimer's?

"It increases oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain, encouraging the formation of new brain cells," Galassie says. "This process not only reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, but also of other mental conditions that impact our cognitive abilities, such as dementia." 

Galassie recommends including these workouts to help protect yourself from Alzheimer's: 

Cardio: Recent research from the Mayo Clinic shows that any exercise that gets the heart pumping and blood flowing to the brain may lower the risk of Alzheimer's and slow down the deterioration caused by this disease. 

Resistance: You may not think of strength training as "brain exercise," but a workout that increases overall muscle mass also helps maintain your brain health, especially when done in conjunction with cardio training. 

Balance: There is some evidence suggesting that head injuries from falls can contribute to the onset of Alzheimer's. To decrease the risk of falling, improve your stability with balance and coordination exercises. 

"Of course, the good news is that this kind of a regular fitness program has numerous other health benefits besides helping prevent Alzheimer's," Galassie adds. "It will also help protect you from heart disease, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. So if you are not in the habit of working out, now is a great time to get a head start - no pun intended."