Physical and mental exercise stimulates nerve cells, increasing free radical production which bolsters antioxidant defenses and mitochondrial function.

“There is evidence that's emerging, some from my labs, some from others, that physical exercise, mental exercise, what you and I are doing now, Rhonda, keeping our mind intellectually engaged, we're right now exercising our nerve cells, they're more electrically active. There's more free radicals being produced in our brain cells right now than there would be if we weren't intellectually engaged. We're right now exercising our nerve cells. They're more electrically active. There's more free radicals being produced in our brain cells right now than there would be if we weren't intellectually engaged. But it's not only okay, it's a good thing because at the same time the cells are beefing up their antioxidant defenses, bolstering their mitochondrial function.”