A new study is challenging the notion that the human brain uses only glucose as its sole energy source. Researchers in Denmark and The Netherlands have found that during strenuous exercise the brain is able to metabolize lactate, a byproduct of metabolism. In addition they discovered that the brain can actually shift into a higher gear of activity. This may explain why the brain continues to function well even during times of high energy demand for the body.
Read more and Share your opinion.
Tags: brain, energy, exercise, glucose, lactate, metabolism
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.