Myelin Regeneration (ad)cloudfront.net/thumbnails/a0b3a35f-0297-5a33-9bd5-c3b797b6d5cf/d1d3938e-c060-561f-b224-1e83e6d54654.jpg”>
Re-myelination: The role of high-fat diet and exercise New evidence shows an interesting interaction between a HFD combined with voluntary exercise in the remyelination state, especially in adult CNS. Dietary fat alone improves the expression of myelin proteins proteolipid protein (PLP) andmyelin basic protein (MBP), although physical activity in combination offers full enhancement.
Myelin Regeneration: The Ways To Do It
Dietary Fat as a Precursor: Dietary fat is important because it supplies essential fatty acids and cholesterol, which are necessary for the formation of myelin membrane. They are the precursors of lipids required to build myelin in oligodendrocytesenes, cells that insulate nerves and help brain regions communicate13.
Exercise-Induced Supplements Regular training helps raise production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which assists in myelination by promoting oligodendrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Exercise also engages various signaling pathways crucial for myelination such as AKT23.
Synergistic Effects: High fat + exercise = Higher PLP and MBP versus high fat or exercise alone These results reveal a nuanced relationship in which exercise enhances the beneficial effects of dietary fat on myelin formation, indirectly counteracting possible consequences induced by physical inactivity13.
Neurologic Health Implications
The results highlight the impact that lifestyle can have on overall brain health. However, the detrimental effects of excess saturated fat consumption on oligodendrocytes and myelin can be abrogated by concurrent physical activity and indeed a more supportive environment for promoting myelination will ensue4. This is of particular interest where myelin loss occurs, as in multiple sclerosis or in cases of traumatic brain injury.
In summary, a high-fat diet may also be an effective practice when combined with exercise to improve myelin regeneration and maintain good neurological function as well as increase resiliency against demyelination diseases.
