Energy Metabolism & Information Processing in the Brain | Luis Felipe Barros | 264

Send us a text

Integration of brain metabolism with neural signaling, highlighting how core metabolites regulate energy use and protect neurons.

Topics Discussed:

• Brain energy efficiency: Brains are much more energy-efficient than computers for similar processing, relying on adaptive metabolic strategies evolved under energy scarcity.
• Metabolism vs. information processing: Core metabolites like glutamate bridge basic cellular energy production and neural signaling.
• Lactate as a signal: Produced during exercise, lactate diffuses from muscles to brain, modulating neuronal excitability and providing neuroprotection.
• BHB in ketosis: During fasting or ketogenic diets, beta-hydroxybutyrate displaces glucose as fuel, enhances antioxidant defenses, and activates protective potassium channels in neurons.
• Adenosine and sleep: Accumulates from ATP breakdown during wakefulness, triggering sleep and locally inhibiting overactive neural networks for energy conservation.
• Glial cells’ role: Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes handle sophisticated metabolism, release signaling molecules like lactate, and modulate synapses, and influence diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Practical Takeaways:

• Regular exercise elevates lactate, which signals the brain to adapt metabolism and may enhance neuroprotection against stress.
• Intermittent fasting or ketogenic diets can induce ketosis with BHB, potentially boosting brain antioxidant defenses and preconditioning against metabolic stress.
• Prioritizing sleep helps clear adenosine buildup, restoring energy balance and supporting long-term neural health.

About the guest: Dr. Luis Felipe Barros, MD, PhD is a Chilean neurobiologist and professor at the Universidad de Valparaíso, where he leads a lab studying brain metabolism from glucose transport to mitochondrial function.

Related Episode:

• M&M 255 | Unlocking Energy: How Nutrition & Drugs Impact Your Mitochondria | Chris Masterjohn

*Not medical advice.

Support the show

Affiliates:

• Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. Special sale Nov 10 - Dec 1: Lumen is half off ($599 → $299), and MINDMATTER gets another 15% off.
• AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, get $100 off for AquaTru Carafe, Classic and Under the Sink Units, and $300 off Freestanding models.
• Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they’re hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.
• KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)

For all the ways you can support my efforts