Fire Your Sofa to Save Your Brain
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 4, 2024
Listen up, couch potatoes.
I’ve got news that’s sure to get you up off those sagging sofa cushions like a shot.
You know the old saying, “Use or lose it,” right?
Well, scientists say it’s true when it comes to the LAST place you’d ever want to see that happen… your BRAIN. But probably not how you’re thinking.
Let me explain…
It turns out that “use it or lose it” applies to your precious gray matter.
But we’re not talking about traditional brain-engaging activities here (like trivia games). Critical areas of your brain can shrink when you don’t move your BODY more.
And let’s face it, NO ONE wants a smaller brain!
After all, accelerated brain shrinkage opens the door to devastating diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
In other words, all those hours spent binge-watching your favorite TV shows or doom-scrolling on your smartphone are eating away at crucial brain-cell real estate….
And don’t make the mistake of thinking these consequences will happen sometime in the distant future either.
A recent study confirms this shrink could be happening right NOW, in the prime of your Golden Years.
Researchers performed whole-body MRI scans on more than 10,000 volunteers.
After some careful data crunching, the team found clear links between staying physically active and having more volume in areas tied to memory and learning.
The frontal lobe (which is involved in decision-making) and the hippocampus (which is vital to memory storage) were significantly larger in the folks who exercised.
But don’t panic. You don’t have to go full marathon runner or transform into a neurotic CrossFit junkie to save your precious brain cells.
Something as simple as a brisk walk around the neighborhood can work wonders. The study found that taking 4,000 daily steps can significantly affect brain health.
Exercise improves blood flow to the brain, supplying brain cells with vital nutrients, including growth-promoting proteins.
Small changes make a big difference in supporting your brain health as you age. So, go ahead and lace up your sneakers, step outside, and give your brain a boost.
P.S. “Sneaky Exercise” is the workout you’ve ALWAYS wanted.
Source:
Raji, Cyrus A. et al. ‘Exercise-Related Physical Activity Relates to Brain Volumes in 10,125 Individuals’. 1 Jan. 2024: 829 – 839. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-230740
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...