“The leading anti-aging researchers agree the silver bullet against the aging vampire that saps us of our essence, our brainpower, is exercise. The research is conclusive: those who exercise live longer, healthier, and smarter lives,” says Vincent Fortanasce, MD.

“The question to ask is not ‘Do I exercise or not?’ the question is ‘what is the best exercise, how do I do it, how often, and how much?’ because as the body ages, so goes the mind. Exercise builds more than brawn - it builds brain power.”
The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription identifies three key elements essential to exercising: stretching, steps, and strengthening.

Myth 1: Lifting weights makes you inflexible and muscle bound.
Research has shown just the opposite. Strenuous weight lifting is best for brain power, stimulating growth sex and brain stimulating hormones. This increases the number of brain cells and their connection dendrites where memory is located. A leaner muscular body is associated with longevity, weight loss and a higher brain capacity and memory.

Myth 2: You must do at least ½ hour of aerobics per day to stay fit.
Research has shown consistency is more important than length of time. People who exercise 10 minutes daily do as well as those exercising 30 minutes intermittently. Working at 60% of maximum heart rate is best for burning fat; at 80%, one burns even more calories.

Myth 3: Light weight training is as good as heavy training.
No. Heavier loads build increased muscle mass and brain capacity. That is doing fewer repetitions (5) very slowly over 10 seconds with a lighter weight builds more muscle tissue (lean mass) than 20 repetitions with heavier weights. Isometric exercise is great for those without a gym or available weights. It can be done at home or the office.

Myth 4: Running is the best form of aerobic exercise and the longer you run the better.
No. Running is dangerous for those over 60; it is the cause for knee, ankle and hip degenerative disease, especially if you are overweight. Preferable is walking, a stationary bicycle is softest.

Myth 5: Aerobic exercise only helps the heart.
No. Aerobic exercise done at a rate at 80% at a maximum heart rate (calculated by 220-age) increases growth hormone release, helping your muscles and your brain.

Myth 6: Eat carbohydrates before aerobic exercise.
No. The first 20 minutes of exercise uses carbohydrates as fuel and then ones of fat. If one wants to burn fat it is better not to have carbohydrates first.

Myth 7: Don’t exercise after eating.
A light walk after eating stabilizes insulin by burning up the carbs you just put in your blood stream.