hippocampal function, enhance BDNF production and contribute to neurogenesis, memory and learning. (20) Some of these exercise induced muscle secreted myokines are transported via the blood to the brain to assist with neuro-genesis and cognition, especially in the aging brain. (21) Mi-trochondria (ATP), is increased in muscle by exercise. Mitrochondria (ATP) is central for the communication between muscle and brain and for the release of the myok-ines which often depends on mitochondria, and possibly direct mitochondrial transfer. These exercise myokines and mitrochondria(ATP), will help protect the brain against neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. (22) Exercise myokines and mitrochon-dria(ATP), will also protect the retina and help to delay macular degeneration. (23) The gut-brain axis is very significant and can modulate the brain for health or pathology depending on the state of both areas. As mentioned above, exercise will help keep the gut healthy. Diet and probiotics will also help the gut function normally. (24) Neurodegeneration of the brain can manifest via the gut-brain axis as it is a bidirectional communication through neuroimmune, neuroendocrine, and direct neural pathways such as the vagus nerve. (25) Restoring the gut mi-crobiota and keeping it healthy can decrease the progression of Parkinson’s disease. (26,27) Healthy gut microbiota regulates the production, transportation, and functioning of neuro-transmitters, helping brain and cognitive functions. Gut-brain axis Bone-brain axis exercise and muscle on the body, a new word has been coined to cover the interaction. “Exerkine” has emerged as the umbrella term covering any humoral factors secreted into circulation by tissues in response to exercise. Exer-cise-related adaptations include muscles, bones, the cardi-ovascular, nervous, metabolic, locomotor and immune systems. (11) Therefore, exercise will help or prevent the de-velopment of many chronic diseases. (12) Research shows there is cross-talk between gut microbiota and skeletal muscle health. This gut-muscle axis mediates changes in muscle, depending on the gut health. With aging, gut health decreases and will affect aging skeletal muscle size, composition, and function. (13) The gut microbiota di-rectly affects protein synthesis in muscle, and this indicates why the health of the gut microbiota is necessary. (14) Exercise will now easily assist muscle size and health, (15,16) and con-suming more animal protein will add to muscle function, which will positively affect cognitive function. (17,18) Exercise effectively modifies the release and the circulating levels of osteokines, which has beneficial effects on brain functions which relates to a bone-to-brain communication. It is hypothesized exercise may support the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Par-kinson’s diseases. (28) Exercise can help with osteogenesis, lymphopoiesis, which is an important mechanism by which exercise promotes strengthening of bone and immunity, (29) and support aging bone. (30) Exercise and the brain Gut-muscle axis Muscle-brain axis Physical activity/exercise affects 82% of the total grey matter volume of the brain. (19) It is logical that there must be a muscle-brain axis. Physical exercise causes muscle to se-cretes myokines that contribute to the regulation of www.Cndoctor.ca Studies have shown that physical exercise promotes the release of molecules, involved in neuronal survival, differ-entiation, plasticity and neurogenesis in the brain, from several peripheral organs. (31) Exercise also improves the protein structure in synapses to preserve them. This can occur even in the aging person, so it is never too late to begin exercising, or increasing ones physical activity. (32) However, the brain pays a price for maintaining these func-tions. The brain weights about 2% of body weight, but uses about 20% of the body’s oxygen so that it can convert glucose via the mitrochondria to produce ATP energy to fire the nerves and maintain brain function. Even at rest, the fuel consumption is the result of the leaky pool of vesicles at synaptic terminals which has to be maintained for quick firing of the neurons. Any decrease of the production of the ATP, will slow the function of the synapses, contributing to inflammation and degeneration in the brain. (33) New data supports microglial activation as a physiological pathway by September/October 2022 Chiropractic and Naturopathic Doctor 17
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor September/October 2022: Page 17
