Fasting for brain health? Is it good?
Overview
Fasting has been known to improve the functioning and productivity of the brain. Research according to Patrick Flynn and Kellyyann Petrucci show that; fasting helps the brain to get rid or reduce chances of getting neurodegenerative ailments. However, many people think that fasting is advantageous to those who want to lose weight and gaining muscles but the brain gains a lot. The brain grows stronger and active and reduces levels of stress. In addition, it improves the circuitry of the neural system and enhances focus and concentration.
Objection of fasting
Many people believe that fasting is not recommended. That is a false notion to many because they believe that fasting will affect the concentration of a person when one is hungry. This might be true at the beginning but in long run it does not. It has been proven that those people who adopt a serious program of fasting improve their attention, concentration span, focusness and alertness.
Fasting regenerates the brain
Fasting improves the brain health and its nervous system as a whole. In addition, it increases a protein known as BDNF (Brain derived Neurotrophic Factor). This type of protein is vital in preventing stressed neurons from being inactive or dying. A low level of BDNF is
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It is caused by clot that blocks blood vessels from supplying blood to the brain through cerebrovascular events. If there is no blood in the brain, then there is no oxygen or nutrients because it is blood that supplies it to the brain. This can cause permanent brain damage which can cause inflammation. Fasting has there been known to be effective and efficient against stroke because it increases cognitive functioning and health of the brain. In addition, fasting has been known to increase neuro-protective proteins and reduction in inflammatory substance known as cytokines. This is critical reducing the chances of damaging the brain that can cause
Like all organs, the brain needs the oxygen and nutrients provided by blood to function properly. If the supply of blood is restricted or stopped, brain cells begin to die. This can lead to brain injury, disability and possibly death.
Stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or condensed. Blood works to transport oxygen and other beneficial substances to the body’s cells and organs, as well as the brain. There are two main types of strokes that are known as Ischemic strokes and Hemorrhagic strokes. When the blood vessels that provides for the brain becomes congested, is it referred to as ischemic stroke, the most common stroke within adults. Blood clots, a cluster of blood that sticks together, are the cause of Ischemic strokes. Ischemic strokes also takes place when arteries become backed up with plague, leaving less blood to flow. Plague is cholesterol, calcium and fibrous and connective tissue that sticks to the walls of blood vessels. Ischemic strokes eternally damage the brain and cause a person's body to no longer function habitually.Some risk factors that may increase stroke are high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Some stroke factors are also due to old age or having a family that has a history of strokes. Men are more likely to have a stroke but the most st...
Most of these claims are false to some degree. Juice fasting can be dangerous for some people because it can cause liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract damage and also brain deprivation. The high sugar consumption in a juice fast can skyrocket blood sugar levels in diabetics or lead to liver damage. High levels of minerals and potassium from excessive juice consumption can build up in the blood and lead to kidney damage (Zamon,huffpost). This can become a concern as a body ages. There is actually no reason to do a juice fast for a detox since “The function of the liver and kidneys is to detoxify the body. The liver regulates the blood’s chemical levels while the kidneys help remove waste from the body to be excreted in the urine.” (Stoddard, Eatthis) The fast is wearing on the digestive tract because when a person stops using digestive enzymes, their body thinks they are not needed and stops producing them. This will lead to complications when reintroducing foods into the diet. In addition “Limiting important nutrients like protein can lead to decreased brain function and disruptions in neurotransmitters, which rely on protein to do their job”(Stoddard). These are only a few of the side effects that may occur on a 60 day juice
In the article it discusses how fast foods can reacts to human hormones and releases stress which can provide comfort and satisfaction. Also continue eating comfort foods can
Several of the most active areas of research in risk reduction and prevention include cardiovascular factors, physical fitness, and diet. Any damage to blood vessels could cause damage to the brain. This is because the brain is link to these blood vessels. Regular physical exercise increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain which increases the health of the brain. Eating healthy has an effect on heart health which links to brain health. This diet includes little red meat and more of vegetables and produce, as well as fish, nuts, and other healthy
...brain and malnutrition. Therefore, one’s diet is not only crucial for the physical well being but also their mental.
...ain-derived neurotrophic factor. John J. Ratey, Ph.d. says, "BDNF is like fertilizer for the brain," (Lawrence 4). He also states "Without it, our brains can't take in new information or make new cells" (Lawrence 5). In one study, analysts examined the brains of individuals' who exercised for one hour every day, three days a week, for a span of six months. They found that the hippocampus grew, the piece that controls memory. Working out actually grew the study members' brains, this helped them in the
Stroke is a serious medical condition that affects people of all ages specifically older adults. People suffer from a stroke when there is decreased blood flow to the brain. Blood supply decreases due to a blockage or a rupture of a blood vessel which then leads to brain tissues dying. The two types of stroke are ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot blocking the artery that brings oxygenated blood to the brain. On the other hand, a hemorrhagic stroke is when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures (“About Stroke,” 2013). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of adult disability” (“About Stroke,” 2013). Stroke causes a number of disabilities and also leads to decreased mobility in over half of the victims that are 65 and older. The CDC lists several risk factors of stroke such as heredity, age, gender and ethnicity as well as medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and excessive weight gain that in...
For centuries, many variations of fasting have been used in an attempt to improve health. Recently however, the practicality of long-term fasting has been questioned, therefore causing intermittent fasting to emerge with debatable weight loss results. According to Adrianna Taylor Abbott, in her book Intermittent Fasting, this method of fasting is much more than simply dieting. Rather, it has evolved into a revolutionary way of living life and of improving overall fitness. This review will examine the overall reliability of the book’s claims as well as whether intermittent fasting should indeed be trusted as a viable method for weight loss.
I realized it was a stroke,” –Fred, a stroke survivor. Some of the most common symptoms indicating that a stroke is occurring include sudden numbness or loss of movement in the limbs on one side of your body or face, sudden vision changes, sudden trouble speaking, sudden confusion, a very intense headache, or sudden balance issues. Stroke is simply acquired when the blood supply to the brain is suspended, but to get to the roots of what causes it, a stroke is triggered by the slowly forming plaque buildup over time. The plaque is made up of calcium, fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, and fibrin, a material involved in blood clotting. The plaque existing in an artery can grow big enough to block the supply of blood to the brain, resulting in a stroke. A stroke can also be caused by high blood pressure breaking a blood vessel in the brain causing internal bleeding. Although there is no cure, as damage the brain is usually irreversible if not cared for quickly; there are different treatments available for both types of stroke. For an ischemic stroke, a tissue called plasminogen activator can be injected into an artery to break up
Some things fasting can help with reduced inflammation, oxidative damage, boost the energy metabolism, and give more cellular protection.
Turner, J. (2011). Your brain on food: A nutrient-rich diet can protect cognitive health. Generations, 35(2), 99-106.
It is no secret that staying physically active is a great way to maintain a balanced lifestyle, stay healthy, and stay happy. But why is this so? According to Harvard University’s Health Blog, exercise directly changes brain structure, enlarging both the prefrontal cortex and the medial temporal cortex, improving memory, learning, as well as critical thinking skills (Godman). These effects, combined with the release of endorphins, improve your mood by jump-starting several biological processes, thus reducing stress and relieving anxiety. There are numerous positive benefits of aerobic exercise on the brain, from a chemical standpoint, a biological standpoint as well as from a psychological one.
Fasting can increase brain-derived neurotrophic, which helps the body to produce more brain cells, and ultimately may improve brain function. Decrease in number of hormones
The main cause of eating fast food is that we are running a fast pace life and we seem to find no time in the day to sit down and prepare a healthy food for ourselves. Therefore, fast food restaurants are continuing to grow their business and we are continuing to put our health at risk as consumers. Thus, in my opinion consuming fast food is not a wise choice for any of us and we should stay away from eating it because it has many drawbacks than the benefits. The changes in lifestyle worldwide from past few decades have shown a great impact on the pattern of food consumption. One of the most common trends in consumption of fast food is eating food outside the home. Family work pattern has also changed and as have family structure,