Physical activity helps preserve memory

Often we think of exercise as a way to get the body in shape, but we forget how important it is for the mind. A team of researchers from the University of Missouri found that physical activity keeps the brain going even in situations where it doesn’t get enough energy from the liver.

Normally, when glucose levels in the body drop, the liver begins to produce ketones – special molecules that energize the brain and support memory function. But if this mechanism is disrupted, for example due to liver disease, the mind begins to give up its position. In this experiment, scientists specifically limited the production of ketones in experimental animals and noticed a decline in cognitive abilities. However, even under these conditions, the training had a positive effect.

The authors did not expect that the brain would be able to compensate for the lack of ketones with the help of physical activity. However, regular exercise helped to partially restore memory functions, which indicates a lot of hidden processes triggered by movement. As explained by experts, the body is characterized by the use of alternative ways to maintain itself in tone – and sport includes these reserves.

According to the authors, impaired liver function may be a risk factor for the development of dementia and other age-related brain changes. This discovery gives hope that regular physical activity can slow these processes, even if the body’s metabolism is impaired.

Increasingly, science shows that brain health cannot be considered in isolation from the state of other organs. And it is the liver, as a key supplier of “fuel” for the mind, plays an important role in this. In a situation where this pathway is blocked, exercise becomes a literal lifeline for neurons.

The authors emphasize that there is a long way to go on this path. But it is already clear: sport is not only a remedy for excess weight, but also a possible tool for prolonging mental youth.