A new study reveals how exercise slows aging by strengthening communication between the brain, muscles and liver. The research demonstrates that regular physical activity creates a powerful anti-aging network that helps maintain cognitive function and delay neurodegenerative diseases.

To explore how exercise affects aging at the molecular and systemic levels, the authors conducted a narrative review of existing literature involving both human and animal studies. Their synthesis suggests that exercise slows aging by activating specific molecular pathways that restore cellular energy production.

One key way exercise slows aging is by improving mitochondrial function, the cellular powerhouses that decline with age. The research found that physical activity activates the AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway, which restores energy metabolism in muscles. The study shows this enhanced energy production helps maintain muscle mass and strength while supporting brain function in aging populations.

The study found the liver plays a central role in this anti-aging process. Exercise activates hepatic SIRT1 pathways that improve fat metabolism and reduce insulin resistance, which the research notes increases with age. This improved liver function helps preserve the brain’s energy supply and reduces systemic inflammation.

Chronic low-grade inflammation, known as “inflammaging,” accelerates aging and contributes to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The study suggests exercise combats this by reducing inflammatory markers while activating autophagy —  the body’s cellular cleanup system that removes damaged proteins and toxic accumulations.

The research also found exercise slows aging by stimulating neurogenesis (new brain cell formation) and improving cerebral blood flow. These changes enhance cognitive resilience and may delay the onset of neurodegenerative conditions.

The study concludes that exercise provides a multi-organ approach to healthy aging, positioning regular physical activity as a cornerstone of healthy aging. The researchers emphasize that exercise slows aging more effectively than single-organ interventions by leveraging the interconnected brain-muscle-liver network.