They increase the production of a protein essential for brain health, which may protect once morest the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Six minutes of vigorous physical activity is enough to increase the production of a crucial substance for the brain, a specialized protein essential for its formation, its learning and its memory, and which can protect once morest the onset of neurodegenerative disorders linked to the age, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. This is according to a New Zealand research team in a new study that has just been published on Journal of Physiologyin which researchers examined the effects of exercise and intermittent fasting in 12 healthy, physically active volunteers (6 men and 6 women) aged 18-56.
The key protein for brain health
The protein in question is called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and promotes neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to change its structure and function) and the survival of neurons. Animal studies have shown that increased availability of BDNF encourages memory formation and storage, improves learning, and generally increases cognitive performance.
These key roles and its potential neuroprotective qualities of BDNF have sparked the interest of researchers in BDNF. ” It has shown great promise in animal models, but so far pharmacological interventions have failed to harness its protective power in humans. – said Travis Gibbons of the University of Otago, New Zealand, lead author of the study -. We saw the need to explore non-drug approaches that preserve brain capacity and can naturally increase BDNF to support healthy aging”.
The researchers’ new study
For the investigation, the researchers assessed the impact of fasting and physical activity on the production of BDNF by examining levels of this specialized protein in the blood before and following: a 20-hour fast; doing light physical exercise (90 minutes of low-intensity cycling); high intensity exercise (6 minutes of vigorous cycling); and the combination of fasting and exercise.
The effects of 20 hours of fasting, light (90 minutes of low-intensity cycling) and vigorous (6 minutes of vigorous cycling) exercise with a normal diet, and the combination of fasting and exercise on hemoglobin beta (b-HB), lactate (lactate) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) / Gibbons et al. J Physiol 2023
Analyzes have shown that short but vigorous physical activity is the most effective way to increase BDNF compared to a day of fasting with or without a long period of light exercise. Specifically, the investigators found that following 6 minutes of vigorous cycling, BDNF increased four to five times (from 396 pg/L to 1170 pg L/) more than following fasting (no change in BDNF concentration ) or prolonged physical activity (slight increase in BDNF concentration, from 336 pg L/1 to 390 pg/L).
The mechanisms underlying these differences have not yet been elucidated, requiring further studies to understand how physical activity affects increased BDNF production. The researchers hypothesize that this increase is related to the change in brain substrate and the metabolism of glucose, the brain’s main fuel source. ” Brain substrate switching occurs when the brain switches from its preferred fuel source to another to ensure that the body’s energy needs are met, such as by metabolizing lactate rather than glucose during exercise – indicate the researchers – . The transition from glucose to lactate consumption initiates pathways that result in elevated levels of BDNF in the blood”.
It is also possible that the increase in the number of blood platelets, which occurs naturally during exercise, might explain these results. ” Platelets store large amounts of BDNF and during physical activity increase by 20%scholars have noted
The team is currently conducting additional research on BDNF levels, such as evaluating the impact of three days of fasting and the combined effects of fasting and exercise. ” It is becoming increasingly clear that exercise is beneficial to brain health at all stages of life and these data show one way where vigorous exercise can play a role. – added Kate Thomas, physiologist at the University of Otago and lead author of the study-. Fortunately, it is a widely accessible, fair and affordable activity.”.
