Research at Yale School of Medicine has shown that brain’s appetite center uses fat for fuel by involving oxygen free radicals, which suggests that antioxidants could play a part in weight control.

Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons, and are therefore usually highly reactive.  They are associated with aging and neurodegeneration, and many forms of cancer are thought to be caused by reactions between free radicals and DNA.

The lead authors, Sabrina Diano and Tamas Horvath, associate professor and professor, respectively, are in the Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and Neurobiology.

The researchers conducted the study in mice to better understand how the brain is involved with neuronal activation in response to ghrelin, a hormone produced in the stomach and associated with growth hormone release, appetite, learning, and memory.

They found that ghrelin-induced appetite increases are caused by burning fat in the hypothalamic mitochondria, which produces free radicals that are scavenged by a mitochondrial protein called uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2).

Diano states that “the timing of taking antioxidants may be critical for the control of appetite.  If taken on an empty stomach antioxidants may further increase appetite, however when taken with food, they may affect satiety.”

This a very interesting study, but I think more research is needed to better understand the mechanisms involved.  However, for those looking to lose some weight may want to considering taking antioxidant supplements with meals or possibly consuming antioxidant foods or drinks (such as green tea) with meals.

Reference:  Yale School of Medicine

Researchers in the Netherlands have found that aerobic exercise may increase older adults’ brainpower.

The researchers gathered data from previous clinical trials. They found that when healthy adults older than 55 improved their fitness through aerobic exercise, they also improved in memory, attention, or other mental abilities.

Dr. Maaike Angevaren and colleagues at the University of Applied Sciences in Utrecht examined 11 clinical trials from the U.S., France, and Sweden that involved 670 adults over 55 years old. Some of the studies test the effects of aerobic exercise against no exercise, and some compared flexibility, strength, or social activities.

The researchers found in 8 of the studies that participants who performed aerobic exercise showed an average improvement in their fitness levels, which correlated with improvements in certain measures of mental activity.

The researchers do note that the evidence did not show that aerobic exercise was more beneficial than other forms of exercise. Other forms of exercise may give the same benefits. Although, Dr. Angevaren did say, “improvements in cognition as a result of improvements in cardiovascular fitness are being explained by improvements in cerebral blood flow, leading to increased brain metabolism which, in turn, stimulates the production of neurotransmitters and formation of new synapses.”

Dr. Angevaren also thought that an increase in cardiovascular fitness could also protect the brain by lowering the risks of heart disease and stroke.

It is interesting that exercise is not only good for your heart but also benefits the brain. I think that just about any form of exercise would be beneficial, but it does seem like cardiovascular exercise could increase blood flow to the brain. I know that I feel much more alert after a good workout.

Reference: MedLine Plus