Senior Fitness Fort Lauderdale

Senior Fitness and Weight Loss

How Senior Fitness Prevents Alzheimer’s

You don’t get Alzheimer’s just because you’ve reached your 50s, 60s, 70s, or beyond, asserts the Alzheimer’s Association. The disease is the most common type of dementia, a catch-all term for loss of memory and intellectual capacity. Although most with Alzheimer’s are over 65, about 5 percent manifest the early-onset version in their 40s. The condition is most likely caused by a complex mix of genetics, environment, medical conditions, and age. It gets worse over time, has no cure, and is ultimately fatal.

However, more and more studies indicate that exercise may prevent or delay its onset. Such physical activity does not have to be strenuous or done for hours at a time. The key is doing it regularly at least three days a week for at least 30 minutes a day. An aerobic component, such as walking or bicycling, is particularly beneficial. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is because physical activity improves oxygen consumption and keeps the blood flowing through the brain. It also increases protective chemicals in the brain, which counters the decrease in neural connections produced by aging. In addition, exercise also sharpens thinking and learning skills, and can improve memory, reasoning, and judgment in those with Alzheimer’s.

Of course, physical activity also improves the health of seniors in ways that have nothing to do with mental functioning. It strengthens bones against osteoporosis, improves muscular endurance and strength for daily activity, and reduces the risk of diabetes and arteriosclerosis. Such diseases increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Organization reveals that as many as 80 percent of individuals who died of Alzheimer’s had cardiovascular disease.

Exercise is just one component of fitness. Weight management through a healthy diet is just important. A study of 1,500 adults showed that dementia was twice as likely to develop in those who were obese in middle age. High cholesterol and high blood pressure increased the risk by six times.

A brain-healthy diet emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, and vegetable oils. It limits sodium, sweets, red meats, and sugary drinks. Eating foods that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol can clog the arteries, which can lead to Alzheimer’s. Mono- and polyunsaturated fats, such as olive oil, can supply the brain with the HDL or good cholesterol necessary for protection. Other foods that increase the body’s defenses include dark-skinned fruits and vegetables, which have high antioxidant levels; cold water fish such as salmon and tuna, which contain omega-3 fatty acids; and nuts like walnuts and almonds, which have vitamin E, an important antioxidant.

You don’t just want to jump into a diet and exercise program if it’s been decades since you set foot in a gym. You risk serious injury if you perform certain moves without warming up first and without receiving proper instruction. Start on your new road to a healthier lifestyle by consulting with your doctor. Then contact us for personal training advice. Our programs on senior fitness in Fort Lauderdale combine both diet and exercise that are tailored to your age, needs, and ultimate goals.

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