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"Li Houguang, did you clap your hands on time this morning?" Aunt Zhang shook her pink cane as she greeted her old neighbor, Li Houguang.
Li Houguang, 72 years old, was a postman before his retirement. His life is simple and regular, but recently he heard that Lao Wang, who is next door, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which makes him very worried.
"Uncle, you have to pay attention to Alzheimer's disease. However, I have heard of a method that can activate the muscles and bones and prevent Alzheimer's disease. After examining Li Houguang, Dr. Zhang, the old doctor of the hospital, half-jokingly made such a suggestion.
When Li Houguang heard this, he felt that this method was simple and easy, so why not try it? Since that day, he has been clapping his hands every day, whether on the balcony, on a park bench, or even during the advertising time waiting for the TV series to start.
Five months passed, and Li Houguang went to the hospital on time for a physical examination. The results were surprising: his cognitive function did not deteriorate significantly, but showed some improvement. What's going on here?
Dr. Zhang explained, "Actually, although the action of clapping hands seems simple, it is an effective sensory stimulus. This repetitive action promotes the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, helping to strengthen the stability of neural pathways to combat cognitive deterioration. In addition, hand movements stimulate the cerebral cortex, which is the area that controls complex thinking and memory. ”
He goes on to detail a series of data to support this: Hand activities like clapping your hands stimulate the prefrontal and parietal lobes of the brain, which are key areas for processing memory and cognitive function. Older people who engage in these activities on a regular basis have a much slower rate of cognitive deterioration than those who do not.
But Dr. Zhang also warns that although clapping is good, it cannot be relied on alone to prevent Alzheimer's disease. As time passed, Li Houguang's clapping habit not only attracted the attention of the neighborhood, but even gradually spread in the community.
Once, at a health lecture held in the community, someone asked a question: "Does Li Houguang's clapping every day really help his brain health?" ”
Dr. Zhang decided to take advantage of the opportunity to explain in more depth the benefits of clapping for brain health. At the next health talk, Dr. Zhang presented a research report that analyzed in detail the effects of hand exercises on brain function.
Folks, doing hand exercises, especially something as simple as clapping your hands, can actually stimulate the motor cortex areas of our brain.
The motor cortex is directly connected to the motor capacity of our hands, and regular stimulation of these areas can help keep neural pathways alive, which in turn contributes to the overall cognitive function of the brain. Dr. Zhang said as he showed a map of the activity of the cerebral cortex.
He goes on to explain, "Not only that, but clapping also promotes the release of endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make people feel happy and satisfied, helping to reduce stress. Excessive stress is an important factor in cognitive decline, so this simple action actually promotes brain health through multiple pathways. ”
After the lecture, an enthusiastic resident asked a specific question: "Dr. Zhang, I heard that clapping your hands can increase blood flow, is there any specific benefit to the brain?" ”
Dr. Zhang nodded and replied with a smile: "Yes, clapping your hands can indeed promote blood circulation and increase blood flow. Blood is not only a carrier of oxygen and nutrients, but also helps the brain remove metabolic waste. Especially for the elderly, maintaining good blood circulation is the key to preventing various senile diseases. ”
Dr. Zhang's explanation not only answered the residents' questions, but also made everyone have a deeper understanding and respect for Li Houguang's clapping habits.
Li Houguang himself also felt a significant improvement, not only his memory, but also his mood was more stable and optimistic than before. He thanked Dr. Cheung for his advice and firmly believed that small changes in daily life can bring big benefits.
What do you think about 72-year-olds trying to prevent dementia? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!