Faithful readers of SportsGeezer are well aware that intense cardio workouts have been demonstrated to improve brain function; Now comes another study from scientists at Columbia University, suggesting that just 12 weeks of one-hour workouts four times a week can double blood flow to the hippocampus, a part of the brain that has much to do with cognition and memory. The New York Times reports on that revelation, and points out that. sadly, the hippocampus generally shrinks a bit with age, (age meaning anything over 30).
The same Times piece offers this helpful look at your brain on things other than exercise:
MARIJUANA: We just
report the data; we don’t endorse it. A 2005 study on rats found that
stimulation of the brain’s receptors for marijuana increased
neurogenesis.
ALCOHOL: A 2005 study found that
mice that swallowed a moderate amount of ethanol showed more
neurogenesis than teetotalers. Other studies on mice have suggested
that heavier drinking can be damaging to the brain.
SOCIABILITY:
One study suggests that rats that live alone and have access to a run
ning wheel experience less neurogenesis than those that have access to
a running wheel and live in group housing. So go ahead and join that
singles running club you’ve been avoiding.
DIET: A diet high in saturated fat and sugar sharply diminishes the brain’s
production of the proteins and nerve-growth factors necessary for
neurogenesis. Exercise may mitigate that effect somewhat.
STRESS:
Mice that are subjected to uncontrollable stress (like electric shock)
suffer substantial deterioration in their ability to produce new
neurons.
CHOCOLATE: In a study published this
year, an ingredient in cocoa, epicatechin, was shown to improve spatial
memory in mice, especially among those that exercised.
Read more about exercise and your brain in the New York Times.
Exercise Stress
An exercise stress test is a good idea for people with chest pain that m
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