Regular exercise can help delay the onset of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, according to public health specialist Dr. Senanu Kwasi Dzokoto.

Dr. Dzokoto, who is also the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Operations at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), explained that physical activity triggers the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth and development of neurons.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show as part of the Healthy Living Project, he described BDNF as the “fertilizer of the brain”, saying its release through exercise can help maintain brain health and potentially delay neurodegenerative diseases.

“People basically call it the fertilizer of your brain because it helps more of your neurons to develop,” he said.

Dr. Dzokoto said the benefits of exercise extend beyond physical fitness to include improved mental well-being, stress management and better sleep.

He explained that exercise also stimulates the release of endorphins, which can influence mood and support functions of the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain involved in planning and decision-making.

According to him, these effects can help people become less irritable and better able to relate with colleagues and others in their daily lives.

Dr. Dzokoto, however, stressed that people do not necessarily need to go to the gym to benefit from physical activity. He encouraged people to choose activities they enjoy, including walking, football, dancing, swimming, farming and gardening, and gradually increase the amount of physical activity they undertake.

He advised people who have been inactive for a long time to start slowly, beginning with activities such as a 10-minute walk and building consistency over time.

Dr. Dzokoto also urged people to identify and address underlying issues affecting their mental well-being, noting that exercise should not be considered a substitute for professional psychological or psychiatric care where such intervention is required.

Citinewsroom