The cycle of joint pain which starts as stiffness, developing into limited mobility and permanent changes in everyday movements, has long been cited as one of the most important reasons to keep joints healthy and ensure high quality of life into our later years. But is there any truth to the old adage "healthy body, healthy mind?"
When we think of the word "genius" we usually conjure images of Einstein at his laboratory or DaVinci at his work desk. Society's perception of the intellectual elite usually precludes physical prowess. It is not often that we think of nuclear physicists with bulging biceps or mathematicians standing tall with a frame of lean muscle. The prevailing scientific community further reinforced these stereotypes with the belief that we cannot regenerate brain cells. They thought we were all born with a predetermined number which will eventually die off, making dementia, Alzheimer's, and any number of cognitive afflictions unavoidable.
This attitude changed in 1998 when the journal Nature Medicine published a report that the growth of new brain cells, a process called neurogenesis, does indeed occur in humans. This report turned conventional wisdom on its head, demonstrating that the human mind is not limited to the number of neurons it was born with. Within each of our brains are neural stem cells which are continually replenished and can regenerate into new brain neurons.
This process of neurogenesis is controlled by gene codes which promote the production of a neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which in turn signals the production of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). The gene that turns on increased production of acetylcholine and BDNF is activated by a variety of factors, one of which is physical exercise. Lab rats that exercise produce far more acetylcholine and BDNF than their sedentary counterparts. Elevated levels of these two compounds is also directly related to the animal's ability to learn and remember.
For this reason, it is essential to remain physically active. Even if time and past injuries have taken their toll on your joints, keeping your body moving is key to maintaining mental acuity as you grow older. When it comes to the phrase "healthy body, healthy mind," perhaps some old adages still ring true.
