Nordic walking and Alzheimer’s

I read about a study to determine “why some older adults might be more susceptible than others to scam, fraud or financial exploitation.”

Main point: “…willingness to give away money could be linked to the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease.”

More about it:

• “Participants who gave more away scored significantly lower on the neuropsychological tests known to be sensitive to early Alzheimer’s disease.”
• “If a person is experiencing some kind of change in their altruistic behavior, that might indicate that changes are also happening in the brain.”

Why it matters:

• “Clarifying these details about the link between altruism and cognition could ultimately improve screening for Alzheimer’s disease and help people protect their loved ones from financial exploitation.”
• “It can also help researchers distinguish between what represents healthy giving behavior versus something that could signify underlying problems.”

Exercise can contribute to holding off Alzheimer’s, and Nordic walking can play a major role. Here is why Nordic walking might be able to contribute to mitigating the onset of Alzheimer’s:

• Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity, including Nordic walking, is known to improve overall brain health. It increases blood flow to the brain, which can help to nourish brain cells and reduce the risk of disorders like Alzheimer’s.
• Cognitive Stimulation: Nordic walking requires coordination and engages the brain in a way that is different from regular walking. This can provide a form of cognitive stimulation, which is important in maintaining brain health and potentially delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms.
• Stress Reduction: Engaging in physical activities such as Nordic walking can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are known to contribute to cognitive decline. Lower stress levels are linked to better brain health.
• Social Interaction: Often, Nordic walking is done in groups, which provides social interaction. Social engagement is another factor that can help maintain cognitive health and potentially delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.
• Improved Sleep and Mood: Regular exercise, including Nordic walking, can improve sleep quality and mood, both of which are important for maintaining cognitive health.
• Balance and Coordination Improvement: Nordic walking helps improve balance and coordination, which can reduce the risk of falls. Falls and the associated stress can negatively impact brain health.

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