Part of dealing with life is dealing with getting older - and it seems that the older people get, the more illnesses and cognitive impairments they seem to have. However, with the right exercise plan, you can protect your body and your mind from the effects of aging.

One of the worst problems that face the 65 and over generation is cognitive impairments. Strokes, Alzheimer's, and dementia make up some of the most powerful blockades to a normal life. They impair social interactions, disrupt the way you handle your job, and change your life completely.

Although brain shrinkage is part of Alzheimer's, the primary problem with the illness is the formation of plaques that are made up of a protein that is called amyloid. These proteins form tangles of nerve cells, and interrupt communication. Strokes, as well, happen to many people, and often cause no outward signs - only lesions on the brain that add to more Alzheimer's symptoms. There are important risk factors to remember when it comes to both strokes and Alzheimer's. These include getting older ,a family history, head injuries, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, smoking, and a lifestyle that is sedentary. Therefore, although you cannot completely prevent strokes or Alzheimer's, there are some things that you can do to help yourself have every chance of avoiding them.

First of all, cut back on salt in your life, and instead, go for high fiber and low fat nutrients made up of natural substances. Try to keep your blood pressure in the normal range - because levels more than 140/90 do actually contribute to more than 2/3rds of all stroke cases, and half of all heart disease cases.

It is also important to keep socially active, by maintaining contact with people on a daily basis. Keeping in touch with family and friends is something that is an important part of keeping your brain healthy. If you read, play board games, or do things in the musical arena, such as playing an instrument, singing, or dancing, you will have less of a chance of developing Alzheimer's or having a stroke.

Exercise is perhaps the most important component to maintaining a healthy lifestyle - for your body and for your mind. No matter how old you might get, you are never too old to exercise. It should be a lifelong habit, and you should make time to put it into your daily routine.

It is often a good idea to have a medical check up before starting an exercise program. After you've been given the go ahead, you can develop a program that suites you. Remember that you should be exercising in a way that raises a sweat for 30 minutes, three times a week. The exercise should be rigorous, but should also be tailored to your physical needs. The most important factor is to get out there and get moving, no matter how old you are, or how old you might feel. In order to improve your body's health, and keep your mind healthy, it is never too late to start exercising.