Regular exercise is well known for helping people maintain a healthy weight, strengthen the heart, and reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes.
Scientists are now finding another important benefit: keeping the brain healthy as we grow older.
A new review from researchers at Victoria University in Australia suggests that physical activity may help the brain remove harmful waste products that build up over time, potentially lowering the risk of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The research was published in the journal Trends in Neurosciences.
Dementia affects millions of people around the world, with more than 10 million new cases diagnosed every year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Although there are treatments that may help manage symptoms, there is still no cure. This is why scientists are searching for ways to slow brain aging before serious memory problems begin.
The review focused on the glymphatic system, often described as the brain’s waste-removal system. During the day, brain cells produce waste as they work.
While we sleep, especially during deep sleep, fluid flows through the brain and washes away many of these waste products. This process is believed to remove proteins and other substances that could damage brain cells if they build up over many years.
Lead researcher Dr. James Broatch examined evidence from both human and animal studies to understand how exercise might influence this important cleaning system. Although more studies are still needed, the available evidence suggests that exercise supports several body processes that help the glymphatic system work efficiently.
According to the review, regular exercise can lower blood pressure, improve the flexibility of blood vessels, reduce inflammation in the brain, improve communication between brain cells, reduce resting norepinephrine levels, and improve sleep quality. Better deep sleep is especially important because the glymphatic system appears to be most active during this stage of sleep.
The researchers believe these combined effects may help the brain remove waste more effectively. This could reduce long-term damage that contributes to age-related cognitive decline.
Dr. Broatch explained that as people grow older, getting high-quality sleep often becomes more difficult, making support from healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise even more important.
The review does not yet identify the ideal type, intensity, or amount of exercise needed to produce the greatest benefit. Scientists also want to learn whether exercise works differently for people who already have mild memory problems or established dementia.
Even with these unanswered questions, the findings add to growing evidence that regular physical activity benefits almost every organ in the body, including the brain. Activities that raise the heart rate, such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing, may offer valuable protection when combined with healthy sleep and a balanced diet.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that eating apples and tea could keep dementia at bay, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health.
For more health information, please see recent studies what you eat together may affect your dementia risk, and time-restricted eating: a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
Source: Victoria University.
