Dr. Valery Litvinov, senior researcher in the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology at Perm National Research Technical University, stated that the brain is the organ with the highest fat content in the human body.
According to him, the percentage of fat in the brain reaches 60 percent.
On the occasion of World Brain Day, he said: “Fat content constitutes about 60 percent of the brain’s dry matter, and it can weigh up to about 840 grams, given that the average weight of the brain ranges between 1.3 and 1.5 kilograms. This makes it the organ with the highest fat content in the human body.”
Litvinov explained that the presence of this large amount of fat is necessary for the brain to function properly, as a large part of it is concentrated in the myelin sheaths, which are the "insulating sheath" of nerve fibers, which ensures the rapid transmission of nerve signals and affects memory and cognitive functions in general.
He added: “Fat also forms the basic component of nerve cell membranes, participates in metabolic processes, and is a source of energy, as it can be used as fuel when glucose levels are low. Research indicates that a lack of fat in the body or changes in its composition are associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases.”
The expert revealed an unconventional method to help cleanse the brain of toxins.
According to him, this method relies on abdominal muscle exercises, as their repeated contraction causes the brain to move slightly inside the skull, which may help to cleanse its tissues of toxins and get rid of excess fluids.
He said: “When the abdominal muscles contract, the pressure inside the abdominal cavity increases, and this pressure is transferred directly to the vertebral venous glomerulus, causing the brain to move forward a few micrometers. This mechanism is important because it provides a gentle mechanical movement that pushes fluids and toxins from the brain tissue into the space between its membranes.”
He warned that any disruption to this mechanism, such as obesity which chronically raises pressure inside the abdominal cavity, could impede the brain's natural cleaning process and contribute to cognitive decline.
