In honor of the Olympics, we are celebrating physical activity! While we are not all elite athletes, we can still incorporate physical activity into our daily lives. Exercise does more than burn calories to help our bodies stay in shape – it also supports our brain health.

David Perlmutter, M.D., Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, says that exercise, like the omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, actually turns on the genes that encourage growth of new brain cells and connections. Dr. Perlmutter recommends individuals engage in physical activity for at least 20 minutes a day.

Nelson Dellis, the two-time USA Memory Champion knows the importance of exercise and its relationship to brain health. He builds his memory skills by partaking in high-intensity physical activity such as mountain climbing.

What exercises do you do to keep your body and mind fit?