WALKING BOOSTS MEMORY

Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Mike Roizen, Toronto Star, 3 April 2009

Wish you could remember yesterday as if it were only yesterday? Then take a 30-minute walk today. No excuses.

A recent study found a little less time than that – a mere 20 minutes of physical activity – helped counter faltering memories in people over 50. But there are plenty of important reasons – including your heart, your blood pressure, your stress level, your mood and your joints – to extend that to at least 30 minutes a day.

One group of adults whose memories were slipping saw improvements after an extra 20 minutes of activity (on top of a normal day's activity) every day for six months.

It's likely the blood flow from activity nourishes brain tissue and stimulates the generation of neurons, synapses and blood vessels. The exercise might even help delay Alzheimer's disease in people who have mild cognitive decline.

People who did low-key workouts, including swimming and ballroom dancing, also sharpened their minds. Even better, the improvements tended to stick around for a year, with some lasting a year and a half. That's a huge return on a 30-minute investment.

Your Health and Mine