There is no pill that will stop or cure Alzheimer's or any other form of dementia. But medical researchers have now published numerous studies which offer proof there may be a way to protect yourself against dementia, and perhaps slow down the onset of the frightening litany of mental declines in in those 55 and older.

The prevention method is simple and surprising: exercise. In a recent article, the Alzheimer's Association, which has been praised as "the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research wrote, "Regular physical exercise may be a beneficial strategy to lower the risk of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. Exercise may directly benefit brain cells by increasing blood and oxygen flow in the brain. Because of its known cardiovascular benefits, a medically approved exercise program is a valuable part of any overall wellness plan. " https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/prevention.

Many of the recently released scientific studies have been many years in the making. Rush University Medical Center in Chicago recently published a 20 year study "showing a possible causal link between a sedentary lifestyle and the deterioration of brain power and memory."

Cardiff University in Wales studied "the health habits of 2235 men over a 35-year period which confirmed (that) exercise significantly reduces the risk of dementia." The University claims that their study is "the longest of its kind to probe the influence of environmental factors in chronic disease."

Even the well-known site WEB MD endorses exercise as a preventive for dementia, writing, "When people keep their minds active, their thinking skills are less likely to decline, medical research shows. So games, puzzles, and other types of brain training may help slow memory loss and other mental problems." WEB MD goes on to describe a study that involved over 2,800 adults 65 and older. "They went to up to 10 hour-long brain training sessions for five to six weeks. People who took the training showed improvement ... that lasted for at least five years.

That doesn't mean that you need to go back to college or begin studying again to keep your mind in good condition. Keeping your mental powers intact as you age can actually be fun. Choose a subject that interests you and start doing research on it, either online or in a library. At the same time, call nearby colleges and universities to find out if they are doing any studies on physical exercise reducing the chance of dementia. It's become a hot topic now that middle aged people are living so much longer.

The physical exercise part of saving your brain doesn't have to be an all-out effort. Join a gym and take an aerobics class two or three times a week. Go for a walk at least every other day, and break into a short and easy run several times during each walk.

If you're lucky enough to make it to 95 years old, and you're still sharp as a tack, you'll be glad you spent all that time feeding your brain with physical effort.

Wina Sturgeon is an active 65+ based in Salt Lake City, who writes about the science of anti-aging and staying youthful at adventuresportsweekly.com.

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