Scientists at the University of South Carolina have made an encouraging discovery. Just like exercise helps strengthen our muscles, exercise may also help strengthen our brain, possibly helping minimize the risk of developing neurological diseases.
We’ve known for a while that working out remodels muscles, making them more powerful and less prone to fatigue. This is due in part to an increase in mitochondria, tiny organelles that create the energy needed to fuel cellular activity. Aside from helping create new mitochondria, exercise also helps improve existing ones in muscles.
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South Carolina researchers wanted to see if the same held true for brain cells, which are also powered by mitochondria. They observed mice for an 8-week period, dividing the rodents into two groups. Both groups were housed in the same lab and followed the same routine – except for one key difference. One group ran on little treadmills for a half hour daily while the others remained sedentary.
At the end of the study period, the scientists made both groups of mice do a treadmill run to exhaustion. The results revealed that the active mice had more endurance than the sedentary mice, which came as no surprise. The surprising result was that the active mice had signs of newly created mitochondria. The other group had no such comparable brain findings.
You’re obviously no mouse, but this study is encouraging because the creation of new mitochondria may ward off neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, which have been linked to mitochondrial deficiencies. Furthermore, exercise could potentially reinvigorate existing brain cells, helping combat mental fatigue and sharpen mental focus.
Diet also plays a crucial role in mental health. Study after study has shown the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in boosting mood and battling conditions such as depression. Sports nutrition supplements for men such as pre-workout supplements and post-workout supplements can also help increase focus and alertness during exercise. If you’re serious about looking great and being healthy, then consider MenScience Boot Camp, a complete approach to transforming your diet, fitness routine and skincare regimen over a course of six weeks.
