Scientists at Laval University have made a new discovery proving how important physical activity is for mental health. According to a study published in Nature Communications, regular exercise strengthens the brain's defense system and significantly reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Hemoencephalic barrier: Brain's "customs" service
At the center of the research was a complex system called the blood-brain barrier. This barrier serves as a kind of "filter" protecting the brain from harmful substances and inflammatory molecules in the bloodstream.
Experiments on mice showed that:
- Stress shock: Chronic social stress disrupts the integrity of this barrier.
- Protein deficiency: Stress causes a decrease in the protein claudin-5, which binds cells, leading to increased depression and anxiety.
The magic of activity and enriched environment
When scientists observed animals that were constantly in motion or lived in an environment enriched with various toys and conveniences, they witnessed a completely different picture. In such animals, disruption of the brain barrier was practically not observed, and their behavior remained stable.
Fgf2 - endurance key
The researchers found that the main factor in this protective effect is the Fgf2 protein. Exercise and a stimulating environment increase the amount of this protein in the brain.
- Result: animals with increased Fgf2 protein demonstrated high stress resistance.
- Admission: When the amount of this protein was artificially reduced, even physical exercises could no longer protect against stress.
Biomarker for human health
Most interestingly, the Fgf2 protein can be detected through blood tests. In humans, its concentration is associated with the level of depression, which may open up new possibilities for early diagnosis of mental illnesses in the future.
Thus, regular walking or engaging in sports preserves not only the body but also the most important protective layers of our brain.
In your opinion, is sport the best way to get rid of daily stress, or is simply "changing the environment" enough?
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