Although hypertrophy and atrophy coexist in an individual, they are completely opposite conditions. While muscle hypertrophy might help you develop muscle mass, atrophy occurs when cells degenerate. Arnold Schwarzenegger has also highlighted how this deterioration can significantly impact an individual’s cognitive region, causing weak memory and other concerns.
In this newsletter, the 76-year-old asks his ‘village’ members a simple question: “Have you ever wondered why your memory starts to fade as you age?” He even responds by stating that the culprit could be atrophy, as it isn’t just physical degeneration but also mental. The former bodybuilder backs up his explanation with a fresh scientific study, saying:
“New research suggests brain shrinkage could be a primary driver of age-related memory loss.”
He further states that scientists have studied ‘superagers’ for over a decade. These individuals fit the description of those who are 80 years of age or older. However, the study had an unusual aspect, as the former bodybuilder discovered that this group of people has a memory capacity much younger than their actual age.
This simply demonstrates how their brains fight the slowness that occurs with increasing age. According to the Austrian Oak, these superagers also have a brain pump, which is characterized by increased volume in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. These two regions of the brain play an important role in memory, as they have more white matter. Typically, this reduces as one age, but the findings show something entirely different, as the Terminator actor states:
“Also worth noting, superagers showed almost no signs of neurodegeneration, such as a buildup of amyloid or tau, which contributes to diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia.”
According to research, the white matter in the human body is a network of nerve fibers that facilitates the flow of information and communication. Schwarzenegger has also simplified it by comparing it to downgrading from high-speed internet to dial-up.
However, because the investigation yielded entirely opposing results, future studies on Superagers can reveal even more secrets. The former bodybuilder also finds a clear relationship between a Superager and their former selves, as he writes:
“Unlocking the superpower likely has more to do with what happens earlier in life than once you hit your 80s. Superagers have lower blood pressure, good mobility, better mental health, social connections, and appear very active in middle age.”
The former bodybuilder is continuously trying to educate his community on how to maintain mental and physical wellness. However, stress, which affects everyone regularly, can quickly impair a person’s well-being. Nevertheless, The Austrian Oak has devised a simple technique to combat this harmful tendency.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s six-minute secret to counter stress
Many people experience stress due to a variety of reasons. While stress can be both mental and physical, combating it effectively is an important step in maintaining good health. Likewise, Arnold Schwarzenegger discusses research that shows how committing to reading for up to six minutes can reduce stress by 60%.
It progressively lowers an individual’s heart rate and blood pressure as it relaxes them. The former bodybuilder additionally addresses how meditation and yoga may be used as stress management practices because they have similar stress-reducing effects. These are fully natural processes that do not require any artificial medications, and the Austrian Oak advises his ‘village’ members to adapt such techniques in order to improve their overall health.
