Does glucose handling in the brain decline with age? And if so, does this serve as a rationale to supplement with MCT oil to prevent cognitive decline? | Masterjohn Q&A Files #304
Cognitive decline is not solely due to glucose handling impairments; focus on aerobic fitness and nutrient-rich diets for prevention.
Ketogenic diets can supply energy to neurons through ketones, emphasizing the brain's reliance on different fuel sources.
Mitochondrial dysfunction impacts antioxidant defense and cognitive health, highlighting the role of energy metabolism in brain function.
Deep dives
Decline of Glucose Handling and Cognitive Decline with Age
Energy metabolism in the brain declines with age, potentially impacting cognitive function. While cognitive decline may be linked to reduced brain energy metabolism, specifically in glucose handling, it is not conclusively categorized as glucose decline. MCT oil and ketogenic diets may offer modest benefits for cognitive decline due to energy metabolism deficits, with a focus on aerobic fitness and nutrient-rich diets being key for prevention.
Energy Demands and Fuel Sources for Brain Function
The brain demands significant energy, predominantly from glucose, with a portion met by fatty acids and proteins. Neurons primarily rely on lactate as fuel, produced by astrocytes through anaerobic glycolysis. Ketogenic diets can substitute a portion of glucose with ketones for energy, while emphasizing the critical partnership between astrocytes and neurons for optimal brain function.
Factors Contributing to Cognitive Decline
Cognitive decline across disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's is attributed to reduced energy metabolism, excitotoxicity, and oxidative damage. Antioxidant defense and neurotransmitter regulation depend on energy metabolism, highlighting the interconnectedness of these processes. Mitochondrial dysfunction, often associated with aging, is linked to declines in antioxidant defense and underscores the vital role of energy metabolism in cognitive health.
Impact of MCT Oil on Brain Function and Cognitive Health
MCT oil offers potential benefits for brain energy metabolism, especially in scenarios where astrocytes may not efficiently provide neurons with lactate. Comparatively, MCT oil and ketogenic diets show promise in enhancing cognitive function in individuals with cognitive impairment. Notably, MCT oil's ketogenic properties differ from regular coconut oil due to its efficient conversion to ketones, making it a potential dietary supplement for cognitive support.
Considerations on MCT Oil Processing and Effectiveness
MCT oil, derived from coconut oil, presents a processed but functional dietary component, differing in efficiency and impact from coconut oil itself. Its ability to elevate ketone levels showcases its potential benefits for brain function and cognitive health, especially in scenarios requiring increased energy metabolism support. While its processing may raise questions on its definition as a 'food,' its unique ketogenic properties support its role as a dietary intervention for cognitive well-being.
Short Answer: Energy metabolism in general declines across the body with aging, but energy metabolism seems to stay healthy enough in the brain in people who do not experience cognitive decline. Cognitive decline does appear to be driven by decreases in brain energy metabolism, but these are not best described as a specific impairment in glucose handling. MCT oil can be modestly beneficial and a ketogenic diet can probably be somewhat more beneficial in people who have cognitive decline from any type. There is no evidence to support using it as a preventative. For prevention, I believe we should focus on aerobic fitness, nutrients required for healthy energy metabolism and antioxidant defense, and maintaining metabolic health with a healthy body composition and a healthy physical activity routine that includes the proper spread of a portfolio of different types of exercise. This is a clip from a live Q&A session open to CMJ Masterpass members. In addition to this episode, you can access two other free samples using this link: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/questions-on-cognitive-health-mct In that batch of free episodes you will also find the answers to these questions:
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