Doctors repeatedly counsel that we should be greatly concerned about maintaining muscle mass and building aerobic (heart and lung) health as we age.

But just as important, many say, is to work on the health of our brains. As Americans live longer and longer in this, the 21st century, the threat of contracting Alzheimer's disease or some other form of dementia is growing. This threat can be reduced, medical observers say, by practicing the following five exercises. (Read more about Five Healthful Brain Exercises)

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There is a growing body of evidence that shows that people can delay and even prevent the onset of dementia by living a healthier lifestyle when young, and that includes exercising.
We don’t completely understand what triggers Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in general. For decades doctors have been preaching we should pump, run, and row our way to good health. But hitting the pavement and the gym for your brain? That’s exactly what a growing number of scientists are advising their patients. (Read more about ALZHEIMER’S AND EXERCISE)

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A new study released at the International Conference on Prevention of Dementia on June 11th suggests that treating other health factors - like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can help slow the onset and severity of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.

This research further links heart and brain health. Cardiovascular problems like heart attacks or stroke may also increase the onset of dementia. Taking positive actions, like treating high blood pressure, exercising, and changing diet can all help reduce dementia. (Read more about Research Suggests Ways to Slow Alzheimer's)

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Zina Macias says she is somewhat of a fitness fanatic. When she got the news that she was pregnant, Zina was determined to continue working out, after receiving the stamp of approval from her doctor. “I like to walk on the treadmill, bike on the bicycle, anything just to keep my circulation, especially in my legs, flowing,” says Zina.

Exercising while pregnant has tremendous benefits. It helps maintain body weight during pregnancy and can prevent and control gestational diabetes. But, if you’re going to exercise during the summer months, you need to take precaution.

“I try to advise pregnant patients to stay as cool as possible while exercising, this means staying in an air conditioned environment, this is not the time to be jogging outside at noon, swimming is an ideal summer sport, it is easy to keep cool in the water, and the buoyancy is a lot more comfortable on the joints and it is a lot more comfortable as pregnant women gain more weight,” says obstetrician, Dr. Jennifer Wu of Lenox Hill Hospital. (Read more about Pregnancy and Exercise)

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A new study highlights the long term health impact of obesity starting in the teen years.

It’s unbelievable, but 15 percent of adolescents aren’t just overweight, they’re obese; that’s more than one in every seven kids.

“30 to 50 years ago I think the incidence of teen obesity would be around three to five percent much less than what it is now between fifteen to twenty percent.//This is a multi-factorial , multi dimensional problem and many issues at stake, including life style changes, easy availability of caloric rich dense food, we have very little play time even at school and at home, the increasing use of electronics, television, computers, people are spending less and less time outside,” says Dr. Ahutosh Kaul, Director of Bariatric Surgery at Westchester Medical Center. (Read more about Teens and Obesity)

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It gets harder and harder to exercise as we get older. But, there are plenty of health benefits including one major one you might not have realized before.

There’s more and more information now that keeping our cardiovascular system clean and healthy does more than just protect our heart; it can prevent the onset of mental decline in our golden years.

And this study shows in particular, exercise can have a powerful effect in preventing dementia.

Senior exerciser Mimi Dubin says, “I’m 75 years old and I don’t think I’d be so full of energy without this class.” (Read more about EXERCISE AND ALZHEIMERS)

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With high school and college football season less than a month away, student athletes are back on the practice field toiling away in the august sun. There is great attention this year on the issue of heat illness and even heat-related deaths on the football field. What are coaches doing differently, if anything?

There has already been one heat-related death on a college football practice field this year. The questions is, are players being pushed too hard? Are they being given sufficient access to the liquids their bodies need to literally stay alive in the hot summer sun? No doubt football players are some of the toughest guys you’ll meet, but without the right precautions against heat illness, they are extremely vulnerable to heat-related deaths. (Read more about FOOTBALL AND HEAT ILLNESS)

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You have taken the important first step on the path to physical fitness by seeking information. The next step is to decide that you are going to be physically fit. This pamphlet is designed to help you reach that decision and your goal.

The decision to carry out a physical fitness program cannot be taken lightly. It requires a lifelong commitment of time and effort. Exercise must become one of those things that you do without question, like bathing and brushing your teeth. Unless you are convinced of the benefits of fitness and the risks of unfitness, you will not succeed. (Read more about Exercise)

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“It’s just like getting a caffeine kick. I don’t need my coffee because exercise is my caffeine,” says exerciser, Rodney George.
“When I come here in the morning, I’m depressed and tired. But once I start I don’t feel like stopping, they have to kick me out!” says Irene Petrakis.

Rodney’s and Irene’s obsession with exercise might have something to do with the connections between exercise and depression, specifically, the positive effects of exercise on depression. (Read more about EXERCISE REDUCES DEPRESSION)

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Taking a drug used for Alzheimer’s disease may help deal with the memory loss experienced by people with multiple sclerosis, according to a study published in the medical journal Neurology.
The finding could help the large percentage, nearly fifty percent of MS patients, who suffer from cognitive problems. (Read more about M.S. AND ALZHEIMER’S DRUG)

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