Posted on 02/23/2025 6:18:45 PM PST by ConservativeMind
A new study has shown that voluntary exercise prevents stress-induced hypertension throughrestoration of amygdala signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), a gene that is crucial to the normal function of the amygdala, an almond-shaped part of the brain involved with the experiencing of emotions.
"In the amygdala, the gene Stat3 is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and possibly plays a role in blood pressure elevation in response to chronic stress," explains Prof. Waki.
The amygdala is a key player in the body's cardiovascular response. When exposed to prolonged stress, this region triggers an increase in blood pressure, heightening the risk of heart disease. To understand how exercise influences this process, researchers subjected rats to three weeks of chronic stress, with one group engaging in voluntary wheel running. Subsequently, they analyzed blood pressure levels and the levels of various genes using gene expression analysis in the amygdala to identify changes at the molecular level.
The study found that chronic stress led to a marked increase in blood pressure. Moreover, gene expression analysis revealed decreased Stat3 gene expression in the amygdala. However, when stressed rats underwent daily exercise, their blood pressure was normal, and STAT3 levels rebounded.
"The improvement of cardiovascular dynamics after exercise is attributed to the rescue of Stat3 expression possibly because of mechanisms such as neuroprotection and anti-inflammation," explains Prof. Waki.
The findings of the study highlight a previously unknown brain-based mechanism behind exercise's ability to combat high blood pressure. While regular physical activity is already recommended for heart health, this study suggests it may also serve as a non-drug therapy for stress-induced hypertension and related conditions like anxiety.
Overall, their research reinforces a simple yet powerful message: exercise is not just for your body—it's for your brain too.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
It was already known exercise helped blood pressure, but this is a new reason that it can.
Testify, brother!
I asked Grok 3 “How does the amygdala and the gene Stat3 affect stress. How does exercise improve stat3?”
Its answer is amazing. I won’t reproduce its answer here, but encourage others to ask it such questions. It basically confirms what this new study finds.
Before our idiot governor closed the gyms for “Covid”, I was doing a 14-minute mile on the treadmill five days a week. Blood pressure like a teenager’.
After gym closed, I was in the hospital for two days with “heart failure”. All of the MD’s gathered in my room, said they couldn’t understand how healthy I am for my age. I told them about the supplements I take and how I exercised. . They thanked me and told me they’d tell their patients.
BTW, I’m 88. Weigh 112
after gym
I think Dr. Balsey-Ford discovered the amygdala, didn’t she?
Exercise?? NO!!! Are they out of their mind? I might break a sweat or get sore muscles. That’s asking too much. Can’t they just prescribe a pill?
God bless you
Great info
Bkmk
14 minute treadmill mile on an incline? What level incline?
Another “Exercise contributes to good overall health” fake news story. /s
*
I didn’t understand any of those big words entirely.
I think it all means - “Eat mor steak”
flat
“Weigh 112” — Is that a typo?
Good for you! Lifetime fitness really pays off. I was doing a huge amount of hiking and big hill climbing throughout 2024, but tapered off after Thanksgiving because it was cold and snowy in North Idaho. I got back to California early January and promptly caught a really bad cold late January and a lingering cough that just wouldn’t quit. Finally got over it and got back to my hiking and hill work. Did a favorite 1 mile 600 foot climb today — I normally hit 28 minutes, but was at 32 minutes today, so it’s coming back.
What supplements are you taking? I’m continuing the supplement regimen I started during COVID - quercetin, Vit C, Vit D, zinc, NAC and Elderberry plus melatonin at night.
Last time I got on a scale, 112. I”m 5’2 and never hungry, My cat and I sleep 10 hours every night, if we don’t it’s a real b@tch fest here.
Late breakfast and even later dinner is enough. The best, most wonderful organic, etc, food, though. If and when I get back to the gym, I may get hungry again, but can’t see well enough to drive,, getting a corneal transplant soon and maybe then.
I take one prescription drug and 11 supplements, and my very smart MD prescribes them all. I asked him to because I’ve been doing research for many, many years. He looks them up on WebMD, and if they say they have value, they go on my “extended prescription list”.
I’ll make a list tomorrow and post it here. I take melatonin too, but drops I buy at AMZ, cuz I don’t want to drink water before bed. BTW, I’m in Spokane and my daughter recently moved here from Priest River after her wonderful husband died. She hates living in town, just bought an RV to get away with her four dogs as much as possible.
That cracks me up that you do the research, your MD validates it, and he writes your supplement “prescription.” It’s amazing how much of your own research you can do these days from your armchair.
Sorry to hear about you losing your wonderful son in law.
Our daughter and husband live in Spokane Valley. We are over in Hayden Lake.
That’s amazing you’ve kept your weight down all the years. Good for you! Mine crept up over the years and I’m about 25 pounds over my Ideal Body Weight. I’ve yo-yo’d up and down a few times which is really frustrating. That’s amazing you can get 10 hours of sleep. I usually get 5-1/2 to 7 and very rarely 8.
My mom did a very good job keeping her weight down. She never went to the gym, but walked all the time with her friends.
I resumed my hiking the past week after being indoors in Idaho then catching a very bad cold. The lingering cough finally went away the past week and I’m back outdoors racking up miles in the hills again.
Good luck with your corneal transplant.
Good for you. I am a hiker/walker too and like LifeTime, too. My LifeTime has a treadmill class called Treadmill Trek. It is fantastic!!!!!
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