Exercise may slow Alzheimer’s brain shrinkage

A recent study has shown that exercise may slow Alzheimer’s brain shrinkage:

Analysis found that participants who were more physically fit had less brain shrinkage than less-fit participants. However, they didn’t do significantly better on tests for mental performance.

While it’s only a starting point on the connection between Alzheimer’s and exercise, it’s certainly worth noting this benefit of exercise in chronic illness.

It got my attention because my friend’s dad had Alzheimer’s.

He died recently, but for years he worked out every day and was the model for physical fitness. Though he was in his seventies, he lifted weights, ran races and exercised regularly. He was in better shape than most people half his age.

He had Alzheimer’s for years and years, and until very recently, you wouldn’t have known something was amiss if you had just met him.