Spotlight: Longevity in Context
Exercise does more than just build muscle—it can actually help your brain get younger.
Research shows that older adults who stick to a year-long aerobic exercise routine can grow a key part of their brain, called the hippocampus, by about 2%. Normally, this area shrinks by 1-2% each year as part of the natural aging process.
One of the reasons for this improvement is a substance called lactate, which your body produces when you exercise. Lactate gives your brain extra energy and helps boost a protein, known as BDNF, that supports and protects brain cells.
In summary, making physical activity a regular part of your routine isn’t just great for your body; it’s also a powerful way to keep your mind sharp.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21282661/
Exercise does more than just build muscle—it can actually help your brain get younger.
Research shows that older adults who stick to a year-long aerobic exercise routine can grow a key part of their brain, called the hippocampus, by about 2%. Normally, this area shrinks by 1-2% each year as part of the natural aging process.
One of the reasons for this improvement is a substance called lactate, which your body produces when you exercise. Lactate gives your brain extra energy and helps boost a protein, known as BDNF, that supports and protects brain cells.
In summary, making physical activity a regular part of your routine isn’t just great for your body; it’s also a powerful way to keep your mind sharp.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21282661/