If you really want to have a vital, well functioning brain, an essential component of your program must include regular physical exercise. Does that surprise you?
You may wonder why physical exercise is important if your main priority is to improve your brain function. Arent very intellectual people often physically inert? Perhaps some are, but everyone who has a body can benefit from exercising it. Even people who are very intelligent and scholarly will function better when exercise is a routine part of their lives.
Always remember that your brain is part of your physical body, and has very important physical needs. Your brain is nourished by the blood that comes in through your arteries, pumped by your heart. The blood carries the glucose that your brain cells need to burn for fuel, the oxygen that is essential for this process, and many other chemicals that are important as messengers to the brain cells, or as building blocks for other compounds.
Numerous studies in humans and animals have found that the brain benefits from physical exercise. Here are some of the ways exercise helps brain function:
? Exercise improves the oxygenation of the blood.
? Exercise helps lower blood pressure. High blood pressure takes a toll on brain cells and greatly contributes to the danger of stroke.
? Exercise improves circulation of blood within the brain. It increases the efficiency of brain cell metabolism as well as assisting in the removal of waste products generated by your billions of neurons.
? Physical activity strengthens the heart, which is the pump that keeps everything going.
? Exercise reduces the levels of artery-clogging cholesterol.
? Regular exercise relieves depression.
? It counteracts the damaging effects of long-term stress on the brain.
? It improves mood and self-esteem.
? Exercise helps keep blood sugar level, which is very important, particularly for diabetics.
? Exercise can boost the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which not only affect mood, but also help lock in memories when they form. .
? In animal studies, exercise appears to enhance the production of nerve growth factor, which helps the cells of the brain form new connections with each other.
Your ability to think clearly and creatively is dependent on the physical wellbeing of your brain and body. In turn, the wellbeing of your brain and body depends on the lifestyle decisions you make. You can make decisions that increase the vibrant health of your body and brain, or that accelerate their decline.
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