Episode Details

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Episode 3425:

Dr. Jenny Brockis explores compelling research showing that regular physical activity, especially walking, can improve concentration, academic performance, emotional well-being, and long-term brain health. Drawing on insights from Dr. John Ratey and studies on memory preservation, she makes a persuasive case that even modest weekly exercise can help protect cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia as we age.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.drjennybrockis.com/2010/10/17/why-our-brains-need-us-to-walk/

Quotes to ponder:

"Brain shrinkage is normal. We all start losing brain volume beginning in our twenties, albeit at a very low rate of 0.2% per year."

"If the choice is between taking thirty minutes out of my day to exercise, so that I can keep my brain working the way I want it to for as long as possible or choosing to skip the exercise and just take the risk that memory impairment might hit earlier. I choose to get out there and walk."

"Brain scans performed nine years later showed that those who regularly walked between nine to fourteen kilometres a week retained a greater amount of grey matter ie brain cells, than those who walked less."

Episode references:

UWA UniView Magazine: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article

Neurology Journal: https://www.neurology.org

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain: https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revolutionary-Science-Exercise-Brain/dp/0316113514

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