Quote: “Exercise is the closest thing to a fountain of youth we have.”–Peter Attia, MD.

Pow, pow, pow, the sound of the paddle hitting the pickleball echoed throughout the court. Annie smacked the ball over the net to Kathy, who returned it with equal effort. Michael and LJ watched in quiet concentration and admiration as they played.
Gradually, both men moved simultaneously into position to get back into the game.

They were lost in the intensity of keeping the ball in play. The sweat dripped from their bodies, but they kept going, driven by an unspoken competitive spirit that only came out when they played pickleball.

“Nice shot,” said Michael as he received a return from Annie.

“You’ve got this one,” yelled LJ to Kathy.

After an intense game, all four paused to drink water. Annie spoke first. “This was one of my favorite games so far. I love pickleball.”

LJ agreed heartily as he wiped his forehead with a towel. “We should do this more often. It’s an excellent workout for both our minds and bodies.”

Michael nodded in agreement. “I’m currently listening to Outlive by Peter Attia, MD. He says that exercise is one of the most important things we can do to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. I’ll do whatever I must to stay mentally and physically fit to live a long and healthy life.”

Pausing to sip water, Kathy commented, “I’m all for continuing to work out together. Michael is onto something with Dr. Attia’s research. According to the World Health Organization, adults spend over 8.5 hours in a sedentary position each day, and this behavior has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise is essential for our brain health; it helps improve cognitive function, reduce inflammation, and increase the production of new brain cells. A study published in Neurology showed that exercising 3-5 times a week could lead to a 35% reduction in the development of Alzheimer’s compared to those who did not exercise. Sitting for extended periods was associated with a 30% higher risk of developing the same condition. To keep our brains healthy and decrease the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, we should limit how much time we spend sitting, move around periodically, and add regular physical activity to our lives.”

“This is a timely conversation because June is Alzheimer’s Awareness month,” remarked Annie.

LJ handed Annie her water bottle. “June is definitely a great time to educate ourselves about Alzheimer’s. As you know,

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder marked by a gradual decline in cognition and memory functions. It affects over 6 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in the US. The root cause is unknown, but several risk factors include age, family history, education, and cardiovascular health.

The best way to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s is to make healthy lifestyle choices. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly can help keep your brain healthy. Getting enough sleep and managing stress levels are also important. Maintaining an active social life and engaging in cognitive training activities can help keep your brain active and healthy, too.

Scientists are actively investigating the potential for a vaccine, more effective diagnosis techniques, the clearance of amyloid-beta clusters, and the influence of Alzheimer’s on younger adults.

Exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and those who exercise earlier in life have a lower chance of developing the Disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Exercise increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain, which helps maintain cognitive function. It also stimulates the release of hormones that can protect brain cells and encourage nerve cells to form connections.” In addition, a study from the National Institutes of Health found that regular exercise “may help reduce the risk of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease,” and that regular, vigorous exercise can help kick-start the glymphatic system and flush out the brain of the day’s “trash.”

Kathy nodded in agreement. “That’s true. As well as exercise,

Research shows that sitting in a sauna 3-4 times a week can help improve brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. According to a National Institutes of Health study, “The heat of a sauna increases blood circulation, relaxes muscles, and reduces stress hormones. This improves overall well-being and can have beneficial effects on cognitive performance.”

Michael smiled and said, “Well, it looks like we’ve got a good plan for reducing our risk of Alzheimer’s. Let’s keep playing pickleball!”

“Followed by a rewarding skin and brain-flushing Sauna,” quipped Annie.

Annie and LJ are a fictional couple. Their storyline promotes healthy eating and earth-friendly practices.