Kya Buller
A neurologist has shared her opinion on the worst possible thing we can do to our brains as she admitted people 'truly don’t make the connection'.
Kim Johnson Hatchett, who alongside being a neurologist also works as a public speaker and regularly posts medical advice on social media platforms such as TikTok, has shared her findings.
In a new interview with Self, she shared the one thing that 'concerns [her] the most' as a neurologist.
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She said that it is 'muscle weakness'.
She adds: "[It] is more tightly linked to brain health than most people realise.
"So many of my patients are frustrated by their lack of mobility. I ask them about their activity level, and they often admit they aren’t really exercising at all.
"They truly don’t make the connection that their weakness is due to their lack of muscle movement, and they definitely are unaware of the impact that it might be having on their brain."
As for why this is happening, Hatchett suggests its down to life balance.
She says: "People in their 30s and 40s are forgoing workouts because they’re hustling in their career, working side jobs, or running around with their kids, and they are just not taking care of themselves."
Adding more context to her findings, Hatchett added: "Every time you exercise, you secrete nerve growth factor, a peptide involved in regulating neurons in the brain.
“It can also support myelin, the neuroprotective sheath that helps nerve fibers shuttle electrical impulses quickly and efficiently and can degenerate with age.”
Making the case for people to move their bodies more, the neurologist explained that it helps improve cognitive function.
"Even a little bit of daily movement reduces your dementia risk", she said.
As for how we can tackle this in a realistic way, Hatchett suggests taking up a sport, signing up for a workout class or simply being aware of moving your body - for example, by taking more steps throughout the day.
Hatchett stressed: "If you want to maintain your mobility and cognitive abilities, one investment you can make is exercising and using your muscles on a daily basis.
"That pop of [nerve growth factor] will just help your brain function better.”
She concluded her advice with a reminder that we are all the sailors of our own ship.
"Ultimately, what I wish people knew is that you have more control in the aging process than you realise!
"Getting weaker as you age is not inevitable and regular exercise and strength training will pay off in dividends in the end."