Fasting Exercise May Stimulate Brain, New Research Finds

Despite the benefits of food, and the miracles some specific diets often boast about, a new study proposes that exercising and fasting at non-continuous intervals can have beneficial effects on the brain.

The idea is that stress caused by fasting combined with exercise helps the brain improve the energy flow of neurons. These conditions would also stimulate the production of a protein called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which they believe to be an important factor in mitochondrial growth and division.

According to Mark Mattson, a neuroscientist at the Baltimore National Institute of Aging, by studying the phenomenon in animals, he and other researchers have found evidence that exercise and fasting at non-continuous intervals increases the number of mitochondria in neurons.

About human testing

The researchers plan to start testing with humans soon. The first tests would be on obese individuals between 55 and 70 years old who have insulin resistance and are not being treated for diabetes. Patients would undergo a battery of cognitive tests while having their brains mapped through a functional MRI scan.

Tests would be done to confirm that stimuli caused by fasting exercise can improve cognitive test performance and change the neural connection network and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Very careful

It is good to remember that the study is still in the testing phase and that the proposed fasting is at intermittent intervals, so no running an empty belly marathon before an important race. Staying long periods without eating is still considered harmful by most doctors.