EXERCISE MIGHT LIMIT THE DAMAGE IN THE BRAIN CAUSED BY ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

 

photo: Telegraph UK

A new study has shown that aerobic exercise can prevent the damage wrought by alcohol consumption and in some cases, even reverse some of the existing damage.  

The University of Colorado at Boulder study shows that certain types of exercise, such as cycling, running and walking can minimize the damage to the "white matter" of the brain, in those individual who drink too much.

White matter is that part of the brain composed of bundles of nerve cells that act as veritable cables for the communications between different part of the human brain.  In those people who drank too much but did not exercise the white matter was damaged in a way that impaired the transmission of certain information between one part of the brain and another. That was not found to be true in those people who drank excessively but also exercised regularly and vigorously.

Some scientists are suggesting that the finding could also be employed in alcohol abuse therapy.  If exercise can improve the brain's health, and repair some of the damage, it might improve the mood and the ability of the addict to recover from his alcohol abuse.

The scientists however cautioned that this is a preliminary study and that people should cautiously approach the news before acting upon them.

Source: MNT 4.18.13