Studies on humans have shown that the brain starts to loose nerve tissue after age 30. The same studies also showed that if the patients that started cardio exercise at ages up into their mid 70’s showed a marked increase in cognitive function, planning, scheduling and memory recall.
Another recent study showed evidence that cardio exercise can cause new stem cells to grow. This study done on mice showed that regular cardio exercise generated new brain cells. Dr. Stephen C Putnam who did the research said, “Exercise also stimulates nerve growth factors.” He calls cardio exercise “miracle grow for the brain.” They also showed progress in dealing with depression in patients who performed cardio exercise over those that did not.
You have likely noticed from personal experience. If you are not feeling up to par, and you go for a walk, or a jog or a bike ride, or even do weight training, when you are done you feel better. Cardio exercise pumps more oxygen to your brain, the oxygen makes the brain cells more resilient and pliable. After about 30 minutes of cardio exercise, the pituitary gland will release endorphins that will give you a sense of euphoria, or an exercise high.
Dr. John Medina at Brainrules.net said, “Exercise increases oxygen flow to the brain. An increase in oxygen flow to the brain will always be accompanied by an up tick in mental sharpness.”
There has been enough research to show overwhelming evidence that cardio exercise does make you smarter and feel better. When you add in all the other health benefits, it shows that to really make you healthier and just feel better, you need to do cardio exercise.
To read more from the doctors at web md on the benefits of cardio on your brain, read this article.
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