Excercise boosts the BRAIN!

Neurotrophic factors—chemicals that promote the survival and birth of neurons—seem to play some role. Researchers have known for some time that exercise produces these chemicals in rodents, and that more exercise leads to a larger hippocampus—a brain region important for memory.

The role of exercise in strengthening bones might also offer brain benefits. Regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking, running and weight-lifting can help counteract the bone weakening that comes with aging, and strong bones release a hormone called osteocalcin. Mice lacking osteocalcin have major cognitive defects.

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Metabolites from microbiom have profound effects on our body…

A study published this week in Nature shows the vital connection between the gut and the brain. The metabolites of microorganisms living in the gut have double edge sword on our bodily functions from brain to immune system.

The new research focuses on the influence of gut microbes on two types of cells that play a major role in the central nervous system: microglia and astrocytes.

Microglia are an integral part of the body’s immune system, responsible for scavenging the CNS and getting rid of plaques, damaged cells and other materials that need to be cleared. But microglia can also secrete compounds that induce neurotoxic properties on the star-shaped brain cells known as astrocytes. This damage is thought to contribute to many neurologic diseases, including multiple sclerosis.

The study shows that especially the byproducts dietary tryptophan may limit inflammation in the brain through their influence on microglia. The metabolites resulting from tryptophan degredation were shown to control microglial activation and TGFα and VEGF-B production, modulating the transcriptional program of astrocytes and CNS inflammation through a mechanism mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

Source: Nature