HoldsUp

DavidPerlmutterMD · 2025-02-10 · David Perlmutter (host), Austin Perlmutter

Is Lifting Weights the Best Dementia Prevention? Muscle’s Impact on Brain Health | Dr. Perlmutter

44 research-tied claims examined: 1 contradicted 2 overstated 4 context 32 supported 5 unverified

32

Supported by research

0:02:35Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death.

"and dying of what was then and is still the number one cause of death, which is cardiovascular disease." (said at 0:02:35)

Extensive global epidemiological data, including findings from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study and the World Health Organization, confirm that cardiovascular disease (principally ischemic heart disease and stroke) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. In 2019, cardiovascular disease accounted for approximately 18.6 million deaths globally.

0:04:58Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

The human body contains over 600 individual muscles.

"your body has over 600 individual muscles." (said at 0:04:58)

Standard human anatomical literature consistently recognizes that the human muscular system contains over 600 distinct skeletal muscles (typically estimated between 600 and 650 to over 800 depending on whether bilateral pairs and muscle subdivisions are counted separately). Scientific and medical reviews commonly reference approximately 650 named skeletal muscles throughout the body.

0:07:07Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

By around age 80, individuals can lose up to half of their skeletal muscle mass, at a loss rate of up to 1% per year.

"As we basically go through the years and get to around our 80s, we can lose up to half of the skeletal muscle in our body, and the rate can be as much as 1% per year." (said at 0:07:07)

Published quantitative reviews and literature on sarcopenia confirm that skeletal muscle mass declines with age at a rate of approximately 0.5% to 1.0% per year in older adulthood, with longitudinal studies in older populations (aged 75+) reporting muscle mass loss rates reaching up to 0.80–0.98% per year in men. Over the decades from young adulthood into an individual's 80s, this rate of loss accumulates to a substantial overall reduction in total skeletal muscle mass (up to roughly 30–50%).

0:07:52Austin Perlmuttersupportedlow

A 2024 meta-analysis found a 56% increased risk of mild cognitive decline and an almost 300% increased risk for Alzheimer's dementia in people with the highest levels of sarcopenia.

"So one recent meta-analysis just published in 2024 found that there was a 56% increased risk of having mild cognitive decline and almost a 300% increased risk for Alzheimer's dementia in people with the highest levels of sarcopenia." (said at 0:07:52)

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle evaluated the relationship between sarcopenia and neurocognitive disorders. It found that sarcopenia was significantly associated with mild cognitive impairment (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 1.58, 95% CI 1.42–1.76) and Alzheimer's disease (pooled OR = 2.97, 95% CI 2.15–4.08). The certainty is low because the pooled evidence consists almost entirely of observational (predominantly cross-sectional) studies.

0:08:12Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

A review found approximately a 60% increased risk of depression in individuals with the least muscle mass.

"An additional review found that there was up to a 60-ish percent risk for having depression in people who had the least muscle mass, meaning the most sarcopenic." (said at 0:08:12)

A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies examining the relationship between sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and function) and depression reported a crude odds ratio of 1.640 (95% CI: 1.247–2.155), representing approximately a 64% increase in the unadjusted odds of depression among sarcopenic individuals compared to non-sarcopenic controls. After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, sex, cognitive performance, and physical activity, the association remained statistically significant with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.821.

0:11:15David Perlmutter (host)supportedhigh

The FINGER study demonstrated cognitive improvement in participants experiencing cognitive decline, including those carrying the APOE4 allele.

"even in those individuals who carry the so-called APOE4 allele, even in the recent FINGER study results that were released, they demonstrated not just stabilization, but improvement in cognitive function." (said at 0:11:15)

A prespecified subgroup analysis of the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of a 2-year multidomain lifestyle intervention (diet, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk monitoring) on cognitive performance according to APOE genotype. Among the 362 APOE ε4 carriers analyzed, participants in the lifestyle intervention demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in annual cognitive test scores compared to controls (difference in annual neuropsychological test battery total score change: 0.037; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.073), confirming that cognitive benefits occurred in APOE ε4 carriers.

0:11:58David Perlmutter (host)supportedmoderate

A 2011 study by Kirk Erickson at the University of Pittsburgh demonstrated a 2% increase in hippocampal volume and improved memory over one year in exercising individuals compared to non-exercisers.

"That was demonstrated back in 2011—the first study by Kirk Erickson at University of Pittsburgh demonstrating actually an increase in size of the hippocampus by 2% in individuals who exercised over a one-year period versus those who did not, and improved memory on various cognitive types of assessments." (said at 0:11:58)

A 2011 randomized controlled trial led by Kirk Erickson (published in PNAS) tested a 1-year aerobic exercise intervention against a stretching control group in 120 older adults. Aerobic exercise training increased anterior hippocampal volume by 2% (reversing age-related volume loss by 1 to 2 years) and was associated with improvements in spatial memory performance compared to the control group, where volume declined.

0:13:21David Perlmutter (host)supportedhigh

American Academy of Neurology practice guidelines for mild cognitive impairment listed exercise as the top intervention among 12 options, above drugs like memantine and donepezil.

"they list practice parameters, recommendations, guidelines, if you will, for neurologists in terms of what they should be telling their patients who do not yet have Alzheimer's, but who have mild cognitive impairment, which is the harbinger for future Alzheimer's disease. They listed 12 different interventions: drugs like memantine and donepezil, Aricept, cholinesterase inhibitors. They went down the list, and at the top of the list was a drug called exercise." (said at 0:13:21)

The 2018 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Practice Guideline Update for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) concluded that there are no FDA-approved medications or high-quality evidence supporting pharmacologic treatments (such as cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil or memantine) for MCI. In contrast, the guideline found that 6-month exercise training is likely to improve cognitive measures and issued a Level B recommendation that clinicians should recommend regular exercise (twice weekly) to patients with MCI, placing lifestyle exercise ahead of pharmacotherapy.

0:23:20Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

Between 87% and 93% of Americans have metabolic dysfunction.

"I would say the latest numbers are between 87% and 93% of Americans have some element of metabolic dysfunction" (said at 0:23:20)

Nationally representative analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) support the stated range. A 2019 study (Araújo et al.) examining NHANES 2009–2016 data found that only 12.2% of American adults had optimal levels across five key cardiometabolic biomarkers (waist circumference, fasting glucose/HbA1c, blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol without medication), leaving approximately 87.8% with at least one suboptimal marker. A subsequent 2022 analysis (O'Hearn et al.) evaluated NHANES data through 2018 and reported that optimal cardiometabolic health declined to just 6.8% of U.S. adults in 2017–2018, meaning 93.2% had intermediate or poor levels in at least one cardiometabolic parameter.

0:28:40Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

Weaker grip strength is correlated with higher risks of dementia, depression, and anxiety across large populations.

"and you use surrogates for muscle strength, for example grip strength, which is an interesting tool, having a weaker grip strength is correlated with a higher risk for dementia and a higher risk for depression as well as anxiety." (said at 0:28:40)

Large-scale prospective cohort studies and meta-analyses support the statement. A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies (PMID: 41667153) found that lower handgrip strength is significantly associated with higher risks of incident dementia (OR 0.62 for highest vs. lowest grip strength), depression (OR 0.70), and anxiety (OR 0.79). Furthermore, large population-based analyses such as the UK Biobank have confirmed lower handgrip strength as an independent predictor for both dementia and mental health outcomes.

0:29:16Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

Walking 10,000 steps per day correlates with a 50% lower risk of developing dementia over a seven-year period.

"And there's a study that just came out not long ago showing 10,000 steps a day correlated with a 50% lower risk of developing dementia over a seven-year period" (said at 0:29:16)

A 2022 prospective cohort study of 78,430 UK Biobank participants (aged 40–79 years) followed for a median of 6.9 years evaluated the association between accelerometer-measured daily steps and incident dementia. The optimal dose for risk reduction was observed at 9,826 steps per day (hazard ratio 0.49; 95% CI, 0.39–0.62), corresponding to an estimated 51% reduction in the risk of developing dementia compared with lower baseline activity levels.

0:29:34Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

A meta-analysis comparing HIIT, conventional aerobics, stretching, and resistance training found resistance training to be the most potent intervention for raising brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels.

"And there's another study, it was a meta-analysis where they looked at all the different forms of exercise. So high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, they looked at conventional aerobic, they looked at stretching, and what they found is that resistance training was the most potent intervention when it came to elevating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor." (said at 0:29:34)

A 2022 Bayesian network meta-analysis of 39 randomized controlled trials (2,031 participants) evaluating different exercise modalities on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels found that resistance training (RT) had the largest effect, ranking higher than high-intensity interval training (HIIT), combined training, and aerobic training (ranking: RT > HIIT > combined training > aerobic+resistance > aerobic training > control).

0:30:45Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels decrease in depression and Alzheimer's disease, and increase with exercise.

"Levels of BDNF go down in depression, go down in Alzheimer's disease, go up in exercise." (said at 0:30:45)

Extensive meta-analytic evidence confirms all three assertions in the claim: 1. **Depression**: Meta-analyses demonstrate that circulating (serum and plasma) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are significantly decreased in patients with acute major depressive disorder compared to healthy controls, and typically normalize following successful antidepressant treatment. 2. **Alzheimer's disease**: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses consistently show that BDNF concentrations in peripheral blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and post-mortem brain tissue (hippocampus and neocortex) are significantly reduced in patients with Alzheimer's disease compared to cognitively healthy controls. 3. **Exercise**: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and experimental interventions show that both acute bouts of exercise and regular/chronic physical training (aerobic, resistance, and combined modalities) significantly increase circulating BDNF levels across healthy adults and clinical populations.

0:19:20Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

Lactate serves as a backup energy substrate for neurons in the brain.

"Well, actually, lactate is a backup fuel for your neurons, and actually lactate can activate signaling cascades in the brain that might be quite healthy." (said at 0:19:20)

Extensive neuroenergetic research confirms that lactate acts both as a supplemental or alternative oxidative energy substrate for neurons (shuttled from astrocytes or systemic circulation) and as a signaling molecule. Published reviews establish that neuronal uptake of lactate supports basal and activity-dependent ATP production and that lactate triggers intracellular signaling cascades involved in synaptic plasticity, gene expression, memory consolidation, and neuroprotection.

0:32:47David Perlmutter (host)supportedlow

A JAMA study on step count showed cognitive/dementia benefits peaked around 10,000 steps per day, with benefits being less pronounced at higher daily step counts.

"First, the 10,000-step study that was published in JAMA actually was kind of interesting when you looked at the actual graphic of cognitive performance versus the number of steps per day. It was a U-shaped curve in terms of risk. The benefit was that sweet spot around 10,000, but the risk went away at higher levels in that study, and also at—I mean the benefit went away at higher levels, didn't go away, but it wasn't as pronounced at higher number of steps per day and at lower number of steps per day." (said at 0:32:47)

A 2022 prospective cohort study published in JAMA Neurology (del Pozo Cruz et al.) analyzed accelerometer data from 78,430 UK Biobank participants and evaluated the dose-response relationship between daily step count and incident dementia. The investigators identified a nonlinear association, finding that the optimal dose for maximum dementia risk reduction was 9,826 steps per day (HR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.39–0.62), beyond which further risk reductions were not more pronounced or leveled off.

0:40:20Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

mTOR activation is the primary mechanistic pathway responsible for skeletal muscle hypertrophy from resistance training.

"it seems like the major mechanism behind the growth of skeletal muscle through resistance training is mTOR activation." (said at 0:40:20)

Extensive molecular exercise physiology literature confirms that mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling is the principal pathway driving the elevation in muscle protein synthesis and downstream skeletal muscle hypertrophy induced by resistance exercise.

0:40:51Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

Leucine activates mTOR more strongly than other amino acids.

"Research, for example, suggests that leucine activates mTOR more strongly than other amino acids and therefore may lead to more anabolic benefit." (said at 0:40:51)

Published comparative research confirms that leucine activates the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway more potently than other amino acids. Systematic analysis in skeletal muscle cell models shows that leucine uniquely increases mTOR and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and induces significantly greater downstream p70S6K1 activation than other essential amino acids. Human clinical trials similarly demonstrate that leucine-enriched nutrients rapidly and potently activate muscle mTOR signaling and stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

0:41:57Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

A 2024 meta-analysis found that whey protein supplementation improves skeletal muscle mass in individuals with sarcopenia compared to placebo.

"so there was a 2024 meta-analysis, they looked at sarcopenia, and they found that whey protein was linked to improvements in skeletal muscle mass, suggesting here that protein supplementation compared to a placebo does actually benefit people who have overt muscle loss in the case of sarcopenia." (said at 0:41:57)

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials (1,154 participants) evaluated whey protein supplementation with or without resistance training in older adults diagnosed with sarcopenia. Compared to isocaloric placebo or routine consultation, whey protein supplementation significantly increased appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (SMD: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.71) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (SMD: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.45), alongside improvements in gait speed.

0:42:13Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

Protein isolate supplementation combined with resistance training yields superior muscle outcomes compared to resistance training alone.

"And then we have data suggesting that protein consumption, meaning a protein isolate, whey or otherwise, is better with resistance training than just resistance training alone." (said at 0:42:13)

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 49 randomized controlled trials (1,863 participants) found that dietary protein supplementation (such as whey or other protein sources) combined with resistance exercise training significantly enhanced gains in fat-free mass, muscle fiber cross-sectional area, and one-repetition-maximum strength compared to resistance training without protein supplementation.

0:42:21Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

Multiple consecutive meta-analyses show that specific protein timing and intake protocols do not significantly affect muscle strength gains.

"But there is additional data suggesting that protein guidelines, meaning the exact amount of protein you should take, when you should take that protein in terms of building muscle strength, doesn't matter that much. And that's been shown actually in several consecutive meta-analyses, which is really interesting." (said at 0:42:21)

Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have investigated the effect of peri-workout protein timing on muscle strength and hypertrophy. These analyses consistently find that specific timing of protein ingestion (e.g., within a narrow window before or immediately after resistance training) does not significantly impact muscle strength gains or hypertrophy when total daily protein intake is controlled for.

0:43:23Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

Plant-based protein sources generally contain lower amounts of bioavailable leucine than animal-based sources.

"It is true that when we look at certain amino acids, for example leucine, which is important, as I mentioned, in terms of activating mTOR, but also in terms of just being a pro-anabolic amino acid, that there are lower levels of bioavailable leucine typically in plant-based sources." (said at 0:43:23)

The speaker claimed that plant-based protein sources generally contain lower amounts of bioavailable leucine compared to animal-based sources. Literature reviews and comparative studies confirm that plant-based proteins typically possess lower essential amino acid contents—particularly lower leucine content—and lower digestibility/bioavailability compared to animal-derived proteins, resulting in lower postprandial blood leucine spikes and reduced anabolic potential unless fortified or consumed in larger quantities.

0:42:14Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

Exercise alone without dietary modification does not result in sustainable weight loss.

"exercise by itself doesn't lead to sustainable weight loss, but when you do it in conjunction with dietary change, it does." (said at 0:42:14)

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials demonstrate that physical activity alone yields minimal long-term weight loss compared to combined dietary modification and exercise interventions. Interventions combining dietary restriction with exercise achieve significantly greater sustained weight loss at 12 to 18 months than physical activity alone.

0:43:16Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

The minimum recommended dietary allowance for protein for the general population is approximately 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight (or 0.36 grams per pound).

"generally, what I would say is you're shooting for about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram at a minimum for the average— HOST: Ideal body weight. GUEST1: Ideal body weight, right. Correct. And so that translates to about 0.36 grams per pound." (said at 0:43:16)

The speaker's statement accurately reflects standard dietary reference intake guidelines. The established Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein in healthy adults is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day (which converts to approximately 0.36 grams per pound of body weight per day).

0:43:33Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

For adults over age 65 or individuals actively trying to build muscle, the substantiated target protein range is between 1.2 and 2.0 to 2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.

"for those people, and it may be most people who are listening to this podcast who are either over age 65 or who are actively trying to build more healthy muscle, I think going higher makes sense. And so the range that I've seen most substantiated here is between 1.2 to 2 grams per kilogram, up to maybe 2.2 grams per kilogram." (said at 0:43:33)

The stated protein range of 1.2 to 2.0–2.2 g/kg/day is well-supported by expert consensus statements and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials for older adults and individuals undergoing resistance training. For older adults (over age 65), the PROT-AGE study group recommends 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg/day for maintaining lean mass, and ≥1.2 to 2.0 g/kg/day for active older adults or those with chronic conditions. For individuals aiming to build muscle through resistance exercise, a systematic review and meta-analysis of 49 RCTs (Morton et al., 2018) identified a breakpoint of 1.62 g/kg/day (with the upper 95% confidence interval extending to ~2.2 g/kg/day) beyond which additional protein did not significantly augment gains in fat-free mass.

0:46:10Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

Creatine supplementation in healthy adults correlates with improvements in cognitive function and brain health outcomes.

"research shows that when you supplement with creatine, there are potential benefits to be gained not only in muscle health, which is the way that everyone's used it for decades, but now in cognition in healthy adults. And I just I don't see any sort of research like this for other supplements, which is take a healthy adult and give them creatine for, you know, a couple of weeks, couple of months, that there are correlations with better brain health outcomes." (said at 0:46:10)

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials demonstrate that creatine supplementation confers modest benefits on cognitive performance in healthy adults, particularly in memory tasks, processing speed, and attention. Benefits on memory appear to be most pronounced in older adults (aged 66–76 years) and under conditions of cognitive or metabolic stress, while overall executive function and general cognitive scores show more variable outcomes.

0:47:25Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

HMB (beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate) is a breakdown metabolite of leucine that has been shown in studies to improve muscle strength when taken as a supplement.

"beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate, HMB, this is an interesting molecule. It's a breakdown product of leucine, and it has been studied to be beneficial in terms of benefiting people's muscle strength when it's consumed in supplemental form." (said at 0:47:25)

Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is an endogenous metabolite of the essential branched-chain amino acid leucine. Numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated HMB supplementation for muscle mass and strength. While meta-analyses in trained young athletes show minimal or no significant benefit on strength, meta-analyses in older adults and previously untrained individuals demonstrate small to moderate significant improvements in muscle strength and preservation of lean mass.

0:48:04Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (EPA and DHA) improves overall muscle strength, specifically lower extremity strength.

"that omega-3 supplementation—specifically, we're talking about EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid, and DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid—may benefit overall strength and specifically may benefit lower extremity strength, which is so important." (said at 0:48:04)

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials support the claim that long-chain omega-3 fatty acid (EPA and DHA) supplementation can improve muscle strength, particularly lower-body strength and related functional outcomes in older adults. A 2022 meta-analysis of 16 studies in older adults reported significant improvements in lower-body strength (SMD 0.54, 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.75) and sit-to-stand performance, without significant gains in upper-body strength. Similarly, a 2023 meta-analysis encompassing young and older adults found a small overall positive effect of omega-3 supplementation on total muscle strength.

0:50:34David Perlmutter (host)supportedmoderate

Women have approximately twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to men.

"when you read The XX Brain that tries to determine why is it that women are twice as high at risk for Alzheimer's" (said at 0:50:34)

Epidemiological cohort data, such as from the Framingham Heart Study, show that the estimated remaining lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's disease is approximately twice as high in women as in men (approximately 1 in 5 or ~12–20% in women versus 1 in 10 or ~6–10% in men from mid-to-late life). In addition, approximately two-thirds of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease are women. This difference in lifetime risk is driven partly by women's longer life expectancy and the higher competing risk of earlier cardiovascular mortality among men, alongside potential sex-specific biological and hormonal factors.

0:47:06Austin Perlmuttersupportedvery low

Caloric restriction extends lifespan in animals compared to ad libitum feeding.

"animals on calorie-restricted diets are the longest-lived people or animals, I should say. So you don't really see, you know, the super bulky, muscular rats and mice being the ones that survive." (said at 0:47:06)

Extensive experimental animal research and meta-analyses demonstrate that dietary and caloric restriction reliably extends median and maximum lifespan in laboratory rodents and other model organisms compared to ad libitum feeding. Meta-analyses of rodent survival curves confirm that dietary restriction significantly reduces the rate of aging and prolongs survival in both rats (increasing median lifespan typically by 14% to 45%) and mice (typically by 4% to 27%), although the magnitude of the effect varies by sex, strain, and genetic background.

1:00:50Austin Perlmuttersupportedmoderate

Estrogen acts as an immunomodulator and directly modulates neuroplasticity.

"estrogen is an immunomodulator. Estrogen modulates neuroplasticity." (said at 1:00:50)

Extensive preclinical and translational evidence confirms that estrogen acts as an immunomodulator—influencing cytokine signaling, microglial activation, and neuroinflammatory pathways—and directly regulates neuroplasticity, including dendritic spine density, synapse formation, and long-term potentiation in regions such as the hippocampus.

1:05:38Austin Perlmuttersupportedhigh

Activating leg muscle groups through exercises like squats, deadlifts, leg presses, and lunges helps clear glucose from the bloodstream, regulate immune function, and support brain health.

"Lunges, especially weighted lunges, these are great ways to get those muscles activated to pull the glucose out of your bloodstream, to regulate your immune system, and promote healthier brain function." (said at 1:05:38)

Activating major skeletal muscle groups through resistance exercises such as lunges promotes glucose clearance from the bloodstream, modulates immune function, and supports brain health. During muscle contraction, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) translocates to the cell membrane via insulin-independent and insulin-dependent pathways (such as AMPK activation), facilitating direct glucose uptake. Furthermore, contracting skeletal muscle functions as an endocrine organ, releasing myokines and anti-inflammatory signaling molecules that regulate systemic immune homeostasis, reduce chronic low-grade inflammation, and enhance neurotrophic support (such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF) for brain health.

1:06:22David Perlmutter (host)supportedhigh

Skeletal muscles act as endocrine organs, secreting chemical messengers that travel systemically and target the brain.

"the muscles are an endocrine gland, that they're producing all these incredibly wonderful chemicals that make their way throughout the body and indeed target the brain." (said at 1:06:22)

Skeletal muscle is well-established as an active endocrine organ. Muscle contractions stimulate the synthesis and systemic secretion of hundreds of signaling peptides and cytokines, collectively referred to as myokines (as well as exerkines in extracellular vesicles). These factors circulate through the bloodstream to mediate inter-organ communication throughout the body, including traversing or signaling across the blood-brain barrier to modulate neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and cognitive function (muscle-brain crosstalk).

Unverified means no publication matching the claim was located; it does not prove the claim false. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy - disputes from the people quoted are prioritized.