VIDEO: Reduce dementia risk by moving your body, mind, soul
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SAN DIEGO – People should increase their exercise to reduce the risk of dementia or slow its progression, said a lecturer at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.
James E. Galvin, MD, MPH, of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said research has shown that declining physical performance and loss of muscle mass, strength and mobility may precede the development of dementia.
“We also found that people who have problems with their physical and cognitive performance will decline faster than if they have just cognitive problems alone,” he said.
“The recommendation is that people increase their exercise, including aerobic activity, resistance training and flexibility training,” Galvin said. “If you do all three, the evidence would suggest that you might reduce the risk of developing disease and, if you develop disease, you might progress at a slower rate.”
“And don’t just think about your body moving, we should also think about moving our minds with mental activities and moving our souls with mindfulness activities,” he added.