More than 7 million people in the U.S. live with neurodegenerative disorders. These are chronic diseases of the nervous system that worsen over time. Degenerative disorders are difficult to slow or reverse when nerve cells (neurons) stop working the way they should or die. Examples include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease).

The risk of developing these diseases increases with age due to impaired neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is a key characteristic of the nervous system that allows neurons to adapt to their environment. As health care has advanced, the number of people living longer has vastly increased. However, because of this, the number of people affected by neurodegenerative disease is estimated to double in the next 20 years.

While there is not yet a cure or effective treatment for reversing the effects of neurodegenerative diseases, there may be a simple thing you can do now to help protect your body from this unnerving problem—pun intended! You can exercise!

Physical activity is commonly known to have many beneficial effects for the body, including strengthening bones and muscles, managing weight, improving memory, reducing risk of heart disease and even lessening feelings of depression. One recent study estimated that just 10 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a day may be enough to prevent 110,000 deaths each year in adults 40 and older.

Why does exercise work so well to slow down or prevent the onset of neurodegenerative disease? It may be thanks to the presence of powerful activity-dependent neurotrophic factors. Neurotrophic factors are proteins that support the development and survival of nervous system cells. With increased physical activity, the production of neurotrophic factors also increases. This prevents the degeneration of nerve cells and gives a boost to neuroplasticity. Whether you’re young or old, even a small amount of exercise can go a long way in protecting your neurons. So get moving!