Exercise & Brain Health: Low Energy? No Excuse!
- Exercise is known to benefit the body, but new research from the University of Missouri indicates it also plays a vital role in maintaining brain health.
- Scott Rector, offers insights into how exercise might prevent cognitive decline.With Alzheimer's cases expected to more then double by 2060, the findings raise the possibility that regular exercise...
- When glucose levels are low, the liver produces ketones, an option energy source for the brain that supports cognitive functions.The study explored whether exercise could compensate for ketone...
Exercise benefits brain health, regardless of ketone levels, according to new research. This meaningful finding from the University of Missouri suggests that regular physical activity can sharpen the mind and may help preserve memory and cognitive performance, even when the brain’s primary energy sources are limited. The study also sheds light on how exercise might mitigate cognitive decline, especially in individuals with liver conditions affecting ketone production.Discover insights for Alzheimer’s prevention. News Directory 3 keeps you informed,and this research highlights the many ways exercise supports brain health. What’s next in the exciting world of exercise and brain function?
Exercise Boosts Brain Function, Even With Ketone Deficiency
Updated June 04, 2025
Exercise is known to benefit the body, but new research from the University of Missouri indicates it also plays a vital role in maintaining brain health. The study suggests that physical activity can keep minds sharp even when the brain’s key energy sources are limited.
The research, led by Taylor Kelty and R. Scott Rector, offers insights into how exercise might prevent cognitive decline.With Alzheimer’s cases expected to more then double by 2060, the findings raise the possibility that regular exercise could preserve memory and cognitive performance as people age.
When glucose levels are low, the liver produces ketones, an option energy source for the brain that supports cognitive functions.The study explored whether exercise could compensate for ketone deficiencies.
Researchers examined the impact of limited ketone production on brain function. As expected,they observed a decline in memory and cognitive abilities.However, exercise helped reverse some of this decline, even with impaired ketone production.
“Going into the study, we thought that with fewer ketones and the cognitive impairments that causes, exercise may not be able to overcome that impairment,” Kelty said. “But it seems like exercise is so powerful that there are other mechanisms going on in the brain that allow it circumvent those impairments and still receive the benefits from exercise.”
Rector emphasized the multifaceted benefits of exercise, noting that it helps the body in numerous ways, even when the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.
“This study highlights how exercise benefits the body in a multitude of ways, even when we don’t fully understand all the molecular mechanisms involved,” Rector said.”Even when we remove a single pathway, exercise is doing so many other things that it can help mitigate those deficiencies.”
The findings are particularly relevant for individuals with liver conditions that hinder ketone production. Kelty noted that liver-brain research indicates a higher dementia risk for those with severe liver dysfunction.
“If ketone production in the liver is disrupted, it could be a potential cause of cognitive decline, ultimately leading to conditions like dementia,” Kelty said.
What’s next
The researchers hope their work will raise awareness about the importance of ketone production for brain health and the positive impact of exercise on cognitive function. Further research at MU aims to explore the potential of exercise in preserving brain health as people age.