You could get smarter as you get older

by Jon Benson
Fit Over 40

Did you see the March 26th Edition of Newsweek?

The headline didn't surprise me. I have experienced first-hand the results of this "new discovery" for a decade.

"Stronger, Faster, Smarter
Exercise does more than build muscles and help prevent heart disease. New science shows that it also boosts brainpower --and may offer hope in the battle against Alzheimer's."

The cover went on to say that exercise is now proven to make us smarter. It may help fight breast cancer and Alzheimer's in the process.

These benefits were obtained in one study with only three months of vigorous exercise.

Twelve weeks! Are you kidding me?

<>Oh, and one more thing -- This same exercise plan did was was thought to be impossible: it grew new nerve cells in the brain.

Let me tell you what that means --

You could get smarter as you get older.

You could reverse or stop mind diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia.

You could think 'faster' as well as clearer.

And, according to this same study, these results happen "no matter your age."

The conclusion?

"A strong and active body is crucial for building a strong and active mind."

This is nothing new to the great thinkers and philosophers in history.

The Greeks believed in a marriage of the mind and body.

Without a healthy body, a healthy mind was impossible. Their artwork reflects this belief, as do the works of Plato and Socrates.

But now we can measure this belief and turn it into scientific fact. That's exactly what scientists as Harvard and UCLA are doing.

One of the key players in this mind/body boon is IGF-1, a protein responsible for the production of hormones, namely human growth hormone.

This is called the "anti-aging" hormone. Perhaps now we know why.

The higher the levels of IGF-1, the greater the level of another nifty chemical: Brain- Derived Neurotrophic Factor, or BDNF.

BDNF appears to prompt the brain's nerve cells to spread out and communicate more efficiently with one another.

So, vigorous exercise, like I describe in Fit Over 40, stimulates IGF-1, which in turn creates more BDNF...which makes you smarter.

Wow.

And it gets better.

Exercise has been demonstrated to improve memory. This should be a major "ah-ha!" moment for any of you concerned about age-related memory loss.

Exercise was shown to increase blood volume in an area of the brain known as the dentate gyrus. This suggests new cells were formed.

New "memory cells", if you will.

This is TRUE "anti-aging" folks. We're talking new cells in our brains and greater levels of the youth hormones...namely IGF-1.

The article went on to say this:

"Unlike neurogenesis, which can take weeks to occur, these results (with exercise) appear almost immediately."

"Get off the treadmill...and within 48 minutes your brain will be in better shape."

I'm not making this stuff up, but it would make for some killer advertising copy.

I highly encourage you to add these findings to the long list of benefits brought about when you take on the challenge and joy of the Fit Over 40 lifestyle.