Imagine that one day you will wake up and cannot remember simple details, have trouble clearly, and find basic tasks more and more difficult.
Now imagine that this scenario is not caused by injuries or illness, but a seemingly harmless custom you have ignored for years that does not harm physical activity. How surprising, how it sounds, the decision you are today to exercise can affect how well your brain works for the coming years.
According to Dr. Kim Johnson Hatchett, a neurologist, the most disturbing trend he sees is the widespread neglect of strength training, a behavior that could quietly cause brain health over time.
Many of us understand that it is important to remain physically active, but few of us are aware of the deep connection between muscle movement and the health of the brain. Dr. Kim Johnson Hatchett, a neurologist, warns that one of the most alarming habits he sees in his patients neglects physical activity, especially strength training, which has worrying effects on the brain. Let’s dive into her insight into this harmful behavior and its potential for permanent damage.
Muscle weakness: a hidden threat to brain health
Dr. Hatchett in the TikTok video explains that muscle weakness is related to the health of the brain before most people realize. Patients often report problems with mobility or physical weakness without realizing its impact on their cognitive well-being. It points out that muscle movements reduce brain access to a nervous growth factor (NGF), a basic peptide that supports neurons and myelin – building blocks of cognitive function.
Inactivity lifestyle
Modern housing with an emphasis on working and leisure activities, such as television watching, contributes significantly to inactivity. Many individuals at the age of 30 and 40 often give up regular exercise due to busyness and do not realize the long-term consequences for their brains. Dr. Hatchett points out that even minimum daily exercise can reduce the risk of dementia.
As exercise increases brain health
• Improved blood flow: exercise, especially cardio and strength training, increases blood flow to the brain, which improves cognitive performance.
• New nervous connections: testing of new physical activities such as learning a sport or accepting new exercise routines, stimulating new connections in the brain.
• Strengthening by repeating: By regularly practicing these activities, you strengthen these connections and support physical and mental resistance.
Why is strength training important?
As we age, muscle mass naturally decreases, with a sharp drop after 50 years. Without consistent strength training, this loss of muscles is accelerated, which affects daily tasks such as carrying food or walking. Dr. Hatchett recommends integrating strength training into everyday life to maintain mobility and cognitive health into later years. Take-off
Key message, Dr. Hatchetta is that the decline of the body and mind with age is not inevitable. Maintaining an active lifestyle, especially through strength training, serves as proactive measures to ensure better health in the future. Like saving for retirement, today is time to exercise investments in a higher quality of life, as you age.
Conclusion
The connection between physical activity and health of the brain is deep and the knowledge of Dr. Kim Johnson Hatchett casts light on the often overlooked truth: neglect of exercise, especially strength training, can have terrible consequences for both our bodies and our minds. Modern tendency to inactivity, whether busy or sedentary habits, is not only a threat to physical fitness, but also a risk to cognitive well-being
The good news is that we have the power to change this trajectory. By incorporation of regular exercise into our routine, we can maintain muscle mass, improve brain function, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline as we age. It is a reminder that the care of our physical and mental health is a lifelong commitment and our efforts today are an investment in a healthier and more vivid future. The takeover of control over its health now ensures not only longevity, but also better quality of life for the coming years.